It is rare to see anyone without a mobile phone in 2019. Even the Aunties and Uncles at coffee shops are often seen engrossed catching Pokรฉmon or playing Candy Crush. With the increase in demand for mobile phones and data network, the battle for the heart and soul of mobile phone users in Singapore has been simmering.
And itโs a vicious one with the older Telcos such as Singtel, M1, and Starhub fighting hard to beat back the new kids in the block led by the ambitious Circles.Life and the daring MyRepublic.
At stake are the billions of dollars in terms of revenue from the Singapore Telco industry that these companies collect from the estimated 8.3 million subscribers.
Traditionally, Singaporeans sign on to mobile phone companies on an initial 2-year mobile phone contract. The contract comes bundled with a new phone and various mobile network services. This is what has been working and the accepted status quo by the first entrants such as StarHub.
However, in an effort to attract subscribers, the latest entrants such as Circles.Life have decided to up the game by allowing customers to purchase their own phones and pick a no-contract SIM Only plan.
This has rubbed the battle-hardened Singtel and its peers the wrong way leading to the current posturing and counter attacks. While these developments may not be pleasing to the decision makers in these companies, they no doubt give the final consumer some distinct advantages.
For example, the heightened pricing competition has brought along unlimited data plans much to the joy of digital savvy Singaporeans.
Furthermore, consumers are expected to continue winning as price wars between the Telcos will further lower the rates.
SIM Only plans have taken the market by storm largely because of their โfreestyleโ and customizable nature. There are also plenty of clients who have remained steadfast in the renewable bi-annual plans.
These have several unique features:
Their major downside is that most do not provide the usual phone subsidy associated with regular two-year contract offers and so users have to purchase a phone separately.
However, understanding their customers and the large cost of a new phone, Circles.Life has introduced โ$0 Upfront Phonesโ for their subscribers. The plan allows customers to acquire a new phone on a 24-months installment plan.
Here, consumers sign up for a 24-months contract. There are different options each allocating varying bundles of data, sms, and talk time.
Their exceptional advantages include:
They, however, seem to be a bit expensive especially because the cost of the phone is distributed over the 2-year period and seem to attract some interest expense.
And of course, switching Telcos before the expiry of the contract term attracts cancellation fees.
In some cases, users are limited in terms of phone choices and will mostly be forced to stick to the device the specific Telco provides when signing up.
However, older Telcos such as Singtel has also recently introduced SIM Only plans to remain competitive.
With SIM Only, users have to procure a mobile phone separately.
This would mean that they are free to go for the phone of their dreams unlike in the contractual system where they can only pick whatโs available.
On the other hand, the additional spending can disrupt their savings as some of the best phones are not that affordable.
For example, an iPhone X is currently going for as much as S$ 1500 in some online stores while the latest Samsung S9 can set one back S$1250.
As far as funding is concerned, buyers have several choices:
Buyers can fund their own acquisition if the have sufficient savings.
In the event that the available finances are insufficient to buy the desired phone, banks and other financiers can chip in with the difference though terms may vary.
Companies like Samsung run trade-in programs. A Samsung customer can, therefore, exchange their old Galaxy phone with its recent version. They only have to pay the difference.
The crossfire fire between the Telcos seems set to continue in Singapore.
And as the battle rages, consumers continue to win big from the introduction of cheaper pricing and amazing offers.
Each competing Telcos having their own plans (SIM Only and 2-year) and with each having their own pros and cons, customers are well poised to be the referee.
As the competition rises, more benefits will be generated for the users as the various Telcos introduce more flexible and price competitive plans.