M1 cut off line and left me stranded in cambodia
I am writing to highlight a deeply troubling and inhuman experience I recently faced with M1—an experience that left me stranded overseas, cut off from all communication, and forced to abandon a business trip. As a loyal customer of more than 20 years, I never imagined that a major Singapore‑listed company could fail so completely in its duty of care. Before my trip to Cambodia, I had already contacted M1 to activate overseas usage with roaming, and it was confirmed. I had every reason to believe my line was ready for travel. However, due to login issues with M1’s system, I was unable to access my account for nearly two months. This meant I could not make payment even though I tried. At no point did M1 notify me that my service would be cut. No SMS, no email, no call, no warning. Then, while I was in Cambodia, M1 abruptly terminated my mobile service. The consequences were immediate and severe: I was unable to call for ride‑hailing services to return to my hotel. I was unable to book transport to the airport. I was unable to contact anyone for help. All my business communications were cut off. A trip planned for work became a wasted, costly, and unsafe ordeal. For a Singaporean travelling alone, being suddenly disconnected in a foreign country is not a small inconvenience—it is dangerous. It is frightening. And it is unacceptable. This incident raises a larger question that affects all Singapore consumers: Have major brands become so automated and profit‑driven that they have forgotten basic humanity? I believe this is no longer just a personal complaint. It is a matter of public interest. I propose that all major listed companies—including telcos—be required to undergo consumer experience audits that publicly document: Severe service failures Cases where customers were placed at risk Incidents caused by system errors or inaccessible platforms Patterns of inhuman or negligent behaviour The company’s actual response and remediation Consumers deserve transparency. And when companies repeatedly act inhumanely, consumers should have the right—and the information—to boycott them. My experience with M1 is a real example of how a corporate decision, combined with system failures, can leave a Singaporean stranded overseas with no lifeline.