The day we are all dreading is getting closer and closer. It’s the day Singapore launches the iPhone 3G officially.
For those who’ve missed it, the next wave of iPhone 3G launches are just 2 days away.
Come 22 August, Apple and its partner telcos will be launching the new iPhone in 20 new countries.
One of them is Singapore and none of them is Malaysia. Thank you passive telcos of Malaysia.
With the Singapore launch date looming, SingTel has announced its pricing plan for the iPhone 3G. You can check out the details here. Or we can save you some time and just continue to read this article 
The gist of it is that there are a whole range of plans to choose from to suit the different needs of an iPhone user.
There’s the iFlexi plans which SingTel says are customised plans just for the iPhone 3G.
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For those who are already on SingTel there’s add-on plans as well.
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From where we’re looking, there’s nothing revolutionary about the plans. You could say that it’s reasonably priced but we can’t be the judge of that as we have no experience paying for mobile plans in Singapore.
For those who have experience feel free to let us know what you think.
In addition, the fine print says that there’s a one-time activation fee of SGD$10.70 (about RM25.00) and rather ridiculous SIM card charge of SGD$32.10 (about RM76.00).
We know SIMs don’t cost that much. But again we’re not familiar with things across the causeway so if anyone care to explain why SIM cards cost so much in Singapore, we’re all ears.
It’s not prominent but apparently SingTel’s iPhone plans are tied up with a 2-year contract which is considered standard over in Singapore.
Pouring over the FAQs we discovered that the iPhone 3G from SingTel will not be SIM locked. It’s interesting to see how the answers are worded to give a vague answer. But if you read between the lines, technically you can use other SIMs even if you’re on one of the SingTel plans.
We believe like Malaysia, the mobile communications regulatory body in Singapore has disallowed exclusively locking of a device to one network.
From SingTel’s iPhone 3G FAQ
Will the SIM be locked to SingTel?
What SingTel says:
The handset will be preset to the SingTel Network. Phones not connected to the SingTel network will not be supported by SingTel.
Our interpretation:
Basically yes, iPhone 3G from SingTel with other SIMs will be supported by that particullar SIM’s network. For example, if you use Starhub’s SIM in an iPhone 3G you got from SingTel, odds are it should work fine as Starhub network will support the SIM.
Will my iPhone work with a StarHub or M1 SIM?
What SingTel says:
It may work but you may not enjoy the same iPhone experience as SingTel only supports iPhone 3G devices that are connected to SingTel’s network.
Our interpretation:
Basically yes again. As long as the network has 3G, HSDPA and WiFi you should have no problems using the features of the iPhone 3G.
Disappointingly, there is no prepaid option for the device from SingTel “at this stage”.
Sale of the iPhone 3G in Singapore will start at the stroke of midnight on Friday, 22 August.
StarHub and M1 targets to have stocks of the device by end of the year. In addition, StarHub promises attractive prices for those willing to wait.
Things are heating up in Singapore and it’s as cold as hell here in Malaysia. Maxis, Celcom, DiGi, U Mobile – what are you doing!
okay its like this. i called SingTel. they said if your a singtel owner it’s possible for you to buy the iPhone 3G with no contract. i was thinking if i did that way and bring in iPhone 3G. would it be possible for me to use it with a Maxis line?
btwdo i need to hack it or any thing?
wats the diffrence actually? some say unlock to be use. some say unlock to install free software . hope to see ur reply =]
By: Joshua on August 24, 2008
at 10:10 pm
you should be able to put in a maxis sim and use it right out of the box. Singapore does not allow locked phones to be sold. All phones should be unlocked.
whoops…i’m not cincau.
By: dilun on August 30, 2008
at 10:45 pm
haizzzzz…. malaysia always falling bhind, i really cant imagine those SG face telling they own iphone
By: SGRETARD on September 12, 2008
at 12:17 am
My friend bought an unlocked 3g Iphone from hong kong (one of the lucky 20 countries to have original unlocked units), popped in a celcom 3g enabled simcard and shes on the roll… a lil jealous here tho… @_@
By: straycat on February 16, 2009
at 3:08 pm