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Looking to travel abroad with your regular Eight SIM card? As a no-contract digital telco on StarHub’s network, Eight offers international data roaming with certain plans. While the data allowance and destination coverage may vary, users can access roaming in multiple regions.

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Eight Roaming, including supported destinations, plan pricing, setup steps, and how it compares to flexible alternatives like Holafly’s unlimited eSIM for global travel.

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What is Eight roaming?

Eight Roaming lets you access mobile data overseas using your existing Eight Mobile plan. As a SIM-only provider powered by StarHub’s network, Eight offers contract-free plans built for Singapore users who value simplicity and control.

Roaming is enabled by default on eligible plans, no sign-up or manual activation is required. Depending on your destination, you’ll either get a small data allowance or pay per gigabyte via roaming passes, all manageable through the Eight app.

While Eight supports data roaming and incoming SMS abroad, outgoing texts aren’t available, and voice calls work only in select countries via VoLTE.

Eight roaming countries

Eight offers two types of international roaming coverage: APAC Roaming for nearby regional destinations, and International Roaming with tiered pricing based on your location. All plans are pay-per-use, and data is charged per GB based on the roaming group.

Some key Eight roaming countries include:

  • Eight Mobile roaming in Malaysia
  • Eight Mobile roaming in China
  • Eight Mobile roaming in Japan
  • Eight Mobile roaming in APAC

Here’s a quick look at the plan types and where you can roam:

Roaming OptionDestinations Covered
APAC Roaming6 Asia‑Pacific destinations: Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Taiwan
International Roaming (Group A)58 destinations: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, plus Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States
International Roaming (Group B)15 countries: Brazil, Israel, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Argentina, Mexico, UAE, Kazakhstan, Thailand, Turkey, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Indonesia
International Roaming (Group C)18 countries: Argentina, UAE, Mexico, Kazakhstan, South Africa, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, Turkey, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Vietnam
International Roaming (Group D)47 countries: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique, Angola, Congo, Madagascar, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Senegal, Mali, Niger, Chad, Sudan, Somalia, Yemen, Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe, Nepal, Jordan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia

You can purchase and manage these roaming packs directly via the Eight app, with data access based on local network partners in each destination.

Eight roaming: Plans and pricing

All Eight Mobile plans include free roaming data for selected APAC and international destinations. If you run out of data or travel beyond the included countries, you can top up with roaming add-ons directly via the Eight app. Plans are contract-free and available as physical SIM or eSIM.

The following is an overview of Eight Mobile base plans, with all prices listed in Singapore Dollars (SGD):

Plan NameLocal DataRoaming Data IncludedValidityPrice
Double Eight Plan288 GB (SG–MY)10 GB APAC + 2 GB Intl*30 days$8.00
Fortune Eight Plan488 GB (SG–MY–ID–TH)18 GB APAC + 8 GB Intl*30 days$11.80
Triple Eight Plan588 GB (SG–MY–ID–TH)28 GB APAC + 10 GB Intl*30 days$18.00

*Note: “Intl” refers to international roaming Group A destinations. Plans also include talk time, IDD minutes, and local SMS.

Eight Mobile Roaming add-ons

For travellers needing extra data or roaming in countries not covered by base plans, Eight offers pay-per-use roaming add-ons. These are charged per 1 GB and can be added anytime.

Roaming Add-on OptionPrice per GBSuitable for
APAC Roaming$3.88Regional Asia-Pacific travel (e.g., Malaysia, Taiwan)
International – Group A$3.88Main global destinations (e.g., Japan, US, UK, Australia)
International – Group B$8.88Mid-tier countries (e.g., Brazil, Israel, South Africa)
International – Group C$18.88Select countries with higher roaming fees (e.g., UAE, Mexico)
International – Group D$28.88Premium or remote countries (e.g., Ghana, Afghanistan)

Roaming data is valid as long as your base plan is active. All add-ons can be managed via the Eight app.

Note: Research how much data you’ll need for travel beforehand, and purchase a roaming pack that matches your destination and duration.

How to activate Eight roaming

Eight roaming is enabled by default on supported plans, but to ensure smooth connectivity abroad, you’ll need to switch it on through the app and device settings. Here’s how:

  • Go to the Eight (Google Play) / Eight Telecom (App Store) app
  • Tap the More menu and select Manage Roaming to view and control your roaming settings.
  • Toggle on the roaming switch to enable the service. This ensures your SIM connects to partner networks while abroad.
  • Go to your phone’s Settings > Mobile Data and ensure both Mobile Data and Data Roaming are switched on.
  • Optional: Purchase add-ons if visiting Group B/C/D countries. Roaming is charged per GB based on the country group.
How to turn on data roaming
Simple steps to turn on data roaming. (Source: Holafly)

How to avoid high Eight roaming charges

Roaming with Eight is generally affordable, but it’s still easy to burn through data if you’re not careful.  To avoid unexpected roaming charges, here are a few smart ways to stay in control:

  • Monitor your usage via the Eight app.
  • Disable background apps and auto-updates to limit passive data drain.
  • Use Wi-Fi for heavy activities like streaming or large file uploads.
  • Enable Airplane Mode when not actively using your device to prevent unintended data use.
  • Purchase the right roaming add-on, like APAC Roaming, before departure, or buy a new pass when your data runs out.
  • Consider an unlimited eSIM like Holafly if you’re travelling across multiple regions or prefer predictable costs.

Holafly eSIM: An unlimited data alternative to Eight roaming

Eight Mobile offers solid roaming value for short trips or light data use, especially within APAC. But with roaming data caps and different rates by country group, managing your usage can be a concern, especially on longer trips or multi-country travel.

If you prefer not to track usage or top-up passes, an unlimited eSIM may offer better peace of mind. Holafly provides eSIM plans with unlimited data, available in over 200 destinations, with no contracts, transparent pricing, and hotspot/tethering support included.

Check out this quick comparison of Eight and Holafly roaming options to make an informed choice: 

FeatureEight Mobile APAC RoamingEight Mobile Intl RoamingHolafly eSIMHolafly Monthly Plan
Coverage6 countries (APAC only)Up to 138 countries200+ destinations170+ regions
DataLimited (1 GB per add-on)Limited (1 GB per add-on)Unlimited (daily)Unlimited (monthly)
ActivationEight appEight appQR code / Holafly appQR code / Holafly app
Tethering / HotspotYesYesYesYes
PricingFrom $3.88/GB$3.88–$28.88/GBFrom $8/day~$51–$83/month

A five-day trip to Thailand using Eight’s APAC Roaming at $3.88/GB can easily cost over $15 with moderate use, especially if you rely on maps or video calls. 

For stress-free travel and the freedom to stay connected without worrying about data limits, Holafly is a great alternative to consider.

Disclaimer: The data in this article is accurate as of July 5th, 2025, and is subject to change.

Violet Lee

Violet Lee

SEO Content Specialist

Formerly a travel journalist turned marketing copywriter, I found my way back to the travel world with Holafly—my dream company that made remote work possible. My motto? “Dream big and make it happen.” I’m passionate about writing, exploring the world, and staying active through walking, running, swimming, and hiking. I also love learning, reflecting, and connecting with inspiring minds.

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