Tourism in Malaysia attracts millions of people every year. This beautiful country has a wonderful blend of natural beauty, modern cities, and diverse cultures. If you plan to travel to Malaysia, you will need one important thing: a SIM card. In this article, we will discuss SIM cards available for tourists in Malaysia, their benefits, how to buy and other important information to help you make the most of your trip.
Why SIM card is necessary in Malaysia?
When you travel to another country, you need a reliable mobile service to stay connected, use the Internet, and get local information. Using a SIM card in Malaysia will help you avoid international roaming charges, get cheap local calls and internet packages. Also, Wi-Fi is not available in many places in Malaysia, so a mobile internet connection may be necessary.
List of SIM Cards for Tourists
Malaysia has a number of mobile network providers for tourists, offering different SIM cards and internet packages. Here are the details of some popular network providers and their SIM cards:
Digi: Digi is a leading mobile network in Malaysia, offering the best packages for tourists. Its tourist packages include large amounts of data, cheap local calls, and international calls.
Maxis (Hotlink) Maxis Hotlink SIM is the best option for tourists. This network provides excellent coverage in most cities and rural areas in Malaysia, giving you access to high-quality internet.
Celcom Celcom is the oldest and most extensive network in Malaysia. It also provides the best SIM cards for tourists that include large amounts of data at an affordable price.
U Mobile U Mobile is another popular network that offers more features at a lower cost. Its packages include free Wi-Fi hotspot and high-speed internet.
Where to buy tourist SIM cards in Malaysia? Buying a tourist SIM card in Malaysia is extremely easy. You can get them from the following locations:
Airports Various mobile network companies have stalls at international airports in Malaysia. You can purchase a SIM card upon arrival so that you have access to the internet as soon as your journey begins.
Mobile stores and shopping malls There are many mobile stores and shopping malls in major cities in Malaysia where you can buy SIM cards. Most of these stores offer SIM cards from all types of network providers.
Online Purchase Some network providers also offer the facility to buy tourist SIM cards online through their websites or apps. You can choose the package of your choice and get it delivered to your hotel or destination.
You will need some documents to buy a SIM card in Malaysia. As the government in Malaysia has restricted the sale of mobile SIM cards for security reasons, you must provide proof of identity. You will usually need to show your passport. The network provider records your passport number and other details to register your SIM card.
How to use eSIM in Malaysia
Step 1: Check Your Device Compatibility First make sure your mobile phone supports eSIM. The latest mobile phones, such as the latest models from Apple, Google, and Samsung, have an eSIM facility. To check your mobile information, visit the manufacturer’s website for details or find the eSIM option in your phone’s settings.
Step 2: Select the appropriate eSIM plan Choose the eSIM plan suitable for use in Malaysia. You need to evaluate the various plans available, with data allowance, plan duration and price being important factors. Depending on your requirement and length of stay, choose a plan that is adequate for your usage.
Step 3: Buy an eSIM Once you have decided on a suitable eSIM plan, proceed to purchase it. When purchasing an eSIM, make sure you provide a valid email address so that you can receive eSIM activation information.
Step 4: Install the eSIM After purchasing an eSIM, you will receive a QR code via email. Use your mobile camera to scan this QR code to install the eSIM. During the installation process, confirm that eSIM is being set up on your phone and select it as the primary or secondary cellular plan.
Step 5: Activate eSIM After the eSIM is installed, you need to enable cellular data in your phone. Check your network signal to make sure your eSIM is working properly and your mobile is connected to the Internet.
Step 6: Test Connectivity Finally, check your mobile’s various functions such as internet browsing, messaging and calling to ensure that your eSIM is working properly.
More tips:
Monitor your data usage so you don’t exceed the limit.
Keep a copy of the QR code and installation instructions so you can use them again if needed.
Contact the eSIM provider’s customer support in case of any difficulties.
Main packages of tourist SIM cards
Different mobile network providers offer different packages for tourists in Malaysia. The prices and facilities of these packages vary depending on the network, data volume, minutes of calls, and other services. Here is a description of some common packages.
a. Digi Tourism Packages Digi offers special packages for tourists. Its 7-day package includes 15GB data, cheap local calls and SMS, priced at around 25-30 ringgit.
Maxis (Hotlink) Tour Packages Maxis Hotlink packages include bulk data, cheap local and international calls. Its 7-day package includes 20GB data and a free Wi-Fi hotspot, which costs around 35-40 ringgit.
Celcom Tourism Packages Celcom’s 10-day package offers 20GB of data and free minutes for local calls, costing around 30-40 ringgit.
U Mobile tourism packages U Mobile offers the cheapest packages for tourists, which include 15 GB data and free Wi-Fi hotspot. Its 7-day package is available for 20-25 ringgit.
Which network is best?
The coverage and services of different networks in Malaysia vary, and each network has its own unique characteristics. However, some networks in different parts of the country provide better coverage and faster internet speeds.
Maxis (Hotlink) Maxis is known for its excellent coverage in most cities and rural areas. If you are traveling to areas other than major cities, Maxis can be a great choice.
Celcom Celcom also provides the widest coverage and reliable service. This network also works in remote areas.
Digi and U Mobile Although Digi and U Mobile offer more features at a lower cost, their coverage may be limited in certain rural areas. However, they offer high-speed internet service in major cities.
How to Activate SIM Card
Activating a SIM card in Malaysia is a simple process. When you buy a SIM card, the network provider registers and activates it. It may take a few minutes to an hour for the SIM card to be activated. After that, you can use the internet and calls facility immediately by inserting the SIM card into your mobile.
Internet speed and quality
Most networks in Malaysia provide 4G LTE service, and 5G service is also available in some cities. Internet speed is fast and stable in big cities, while in rural areas the speed can be a bit slower. However, most networks provide fairly decent internet speeds for travelers.
Free Wi-Fi and Internet alternatives
If you use less internet and only want to use data for a few essential tasks, free Wi-Fi is available in many hotels, cafes, and shopping malls in major cities in Malaysia. You can save data by using it. However, Wi-Fi quality can vary, so it’s best to have a mobile data backup.
International calls and roaming
If you need to make calls within your country or to another international number, most networks in Malaysia offer low-cost international calling. You can get international calling minutes in different packages, or you can also make international calls by paying extra charges. In addition, some networks also offer international roaming, which allows you to use your Malaysian SIM while traveling in other countries.
How to choose cheap mobile data packages?
Here are some things to keep in mind while choosing cheap mobile data packages in Malaysia:
Determine your need If you use more data, you should look for more data packages. But if you only want to use the SIM card for calls and messages, lower data packages will be better.
Compare packages from different network providers Each network provider offers different facilities at different prices. You can get the best deal by comparing the packages of different networks on the internet.
Comparison of network coverage in different cities in Malaysia
Network coverage in Malaysia depends on your location. In major cities like Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Langkawi, all networks provide excellent coverage and high-speed internet. However, if you are going to rural or forested areas, prefer networks like Maxis or Celcom, which also work in these areas.
How to check data usage and balance
Almost all networks in Malaysia provide their customers with the ability to check their data usage and remaining balance on their SIM cards. You can get your package information by dialing a specific code or through the network’s app.
Conclusion
Taking a SIM card while sightseeing in Malaysia makes your trip more convenient and peaceful. By comparing the packages of different network providers you can choose the best SIM card according to your needs. Remember that mobile SIM card services in Malaysia are quite standard and reliable, and you will have excellent coverage and internet facilities in every city and region.
