Beware of SIMBA’s Obscure Fine Print
Beware of SIMBA’s Obscure Fine Print – Porting Out Isn’t as Easy as It Seems I’m posting this to warn anyone considering or currently using SIMBA (formerly TPG Mobile) in Singapore. My recent experience trying to port out of their service was incredibly frustrating — not just because of the network (which, by the way, has patchy 5G coverage and unreliable speed underground and in many areas), but because of how their fine print traps users. Here’s what you probably didn’t know — because it’s buried in their Terms & Conditions: 1. You can only request to port out at least 7 business days before your billing cycle ends. Miss this window? You’re stuck paying for another full month. That 7 days? Burnt. 2. If you’ve recently changed plans within SIMBA, it counts as a new activation. That means: You cannot port out for the next 30 days Unless you pay a $30 activation fee to break that lock-in 3. You also cannot change plans during the last 5 days of your billing cycle, so you’ll burn at least 5 days of your current plan if you’re switching. These rules are buried in the fine prints during the sign-up or plan-change process. Most users would expect that changing a plan within the same telco wouldn’t reset the clock on porting out — but SIMBA uses this tactic to quietly lock you in longer. In my opinion, this is borderline dishonest business practice that relies on obscure policies to confuse and delay users who wish to leave. It's not just inconvenient — it's predatory. If you’re considering SIMBA, read the fine print very carefully. If you're already a user, plan your port-out well in advance and avoid switching plans within SIMBA unless you're okay staying for another 30+ days. Share this post to help others avoid the same trap.