Choosing the Right SIM Card for Network School: Local vs eSIM

Network School provides a local Malaysian SIM card as part of the Basic and Pro packages. This SIM gives you a Malaysian phone number and a data plan sufficient for basic use. Having a local number is useful for registering with Malaysian apps like Grab, receiving SMS verifications, and making local calls. The included SIM is functional for most members' needs during their stay and saves you the hassle of shopping for one upon arrival.

If you need more data than the included plan provides, topping up a Malaysian prepaid SIM is straightforward and inexpensive. Major carriers include Hotlink (Maxis), Digi, and Celcom, all of which offer prepaid data plans. A generous monthly data plan with 30 to 50 GB costs roughly 30 to 60 MYR. You can top up at convenience stores, through the carrier's app, or online. For remote workers who use mobile data as a WiFi backup, having a well-stocked data plan provides valuable peace of mind.

If your phone supports eSIM, you can activate an international or Malaysian eSIM before arriving. Services like Airalo, Holafly, and Nomad offer Malaysia-specific eSIM plans ranging from a few days to 30 days. The advantage of an eSIM is that you can set it up before your flight and have data working the moment you land. You can also keep your home SIM active in the other slot for receiving calls and texts from your home country. The downside is that eSIM data plans tend to be more expensive per gigabyte than local prepaid plans.

For most members, the NS-included SIM card is sufficient for the duration of their stay. If you want immediate connectivity from the moment you land at Changi or Senai, activate an eSIM before departure and then switch to the NS SIM after settling in. Keep your home country SIM active on eSIM or a dual-SIM setup if you need to receive calls from home. You can apply at ns.com and the onboarding materials will specify exactly what SIM is included with your cohort so you can plan accordingly.