What Is Giga Roaming? Prices, Plans, and Roaming Countries

Giga is the provider that offers international Giga roaming services. If you are travelling in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, India, or South Korea, it helps you to stay connected. Giga offers roaming-free monthly plans, eliminating the need to buy the costly local SIM cards.

But is your travel destination included in the free roaming zone? In this article, I will discuss Giga roaming, roaming plans, and the destinations covered in the plans. Moreover, eSIM is the best alternative to stay connected without roaming charges. 

What is Giga Roaming?

Giga is a Singaporean digital-only telco under StartHub that offers mobile data roaming services. Users can access the internet during international travel with their already existing Giga mobile plan.

Once you arrive at your destination, your device automatically connects. You can use the internet and stream without buying the costly local SIM cards. If you are hopping between countries, there is no need for the SIM card swapping. 

Giga Roaming Destinations Covered

Many destinations are included in the Giga roaming plans. The roaming is by default included in each plan. If you are a subscriber from the Asian zone, you will not be charged for the roaming services. With 5G plans, you can get free roaming across 48 countries. 

The following are the countries included in each Giga plan.

1. Free Roaming (All Plans)

It covers 5 countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, India, and South Korea.

2. GigaRoam APAC Pass

The plans offer coverage in 14 countries. 

• Australia, Japan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Macau.
• Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

3. GigaRoam Global Pass / Free Roaming (5G Plans Only)

• Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brunei, Cambodia, and Canada.
• China, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, and Finland.
• France, Iceland, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, and Indonesia.
• Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Malta, and Myanmar.
• Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, and Portugal. 
• Qatar, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, and Switzerland.
• Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, and Vietnam.

Each pass is designed differently according to the user's travel needs. Like APAC pass is enough if you are in Asia. While for a multi-region trip, a global pass is perfect.

Giga Roaming Plans and Pricing

Giga offers free roaming, which is ideal for international tourists to stay connected. The prices and the coverage depend on whether you are on a 4G or 5G plan. The 5G plan includes free roaming in 48 countries. In contrast, 4G plans offer free roaming in selected Asian countries. 

Before travelling, confirm how much data you need. Then you can buy the plan from the Giga app and manage data without any hassle.

For your convenience, here is the breakdown of roaming add-on plan prices. 

1. GigaRoam APAC

You can get 1GB, 3GB, and 5GB data allowance for $5, $10, and $15. The APAC plan is valid for 5 days. 

2. GigaRoam Global

The data allowance in the Gigaroam global plan is 1GB, 3GB, and 5GB, which cost $15, $25, and $35. The pass is valid for 15 days. 

How to set up Giga roaming?

You can set up Giga roaming in your device via the Giga app. The app is simple to use and manage the plans.

The following are the steps you should consider before travelling. 

• Open the Giga app and verify the plan activation. 
• Turn on the Data Roaming.
• If using the dual SIM, select Giga as the primary SIM. 
• Confirm APN is set to the Giga. 

Once you arrive in your destination country, enable the Airplane mode on and off to connect your device. If there's still no connection, manually connect with a supported network. 

Why Giga roaming might not be the best option?

The following are the downsides of Giga plans that a frequent traveller should consider.

• Voice and SMS service: Giga roaming plans don’t include the call or SMS service. You need to rely on the VoIP apps to stay connected internationally. 
• Limited destination support: The roaming services are available in specific countries. 
• Data limits: With 5G plans, you can get the vast network coverage. In comparison, the users with 4G plans can access data in selected Asian countries. 
• Limited validity: The plans are valid for a short term, only 5 to 15 days. It is not an ideal choice for long-term travel. 
• No refund: If the data plan fails to active within 90 days after purchase, you will not get a refund.

eSIM – A Premium Alternative to Giga Roaming

Giga roaming is not the perfect choice to access data during travel. For limited services, you have to pay a high cost. The premium alternative to Giga roaming, portable WiFi, or a SIM card is an eSIM card. It is the latest digital technology that ensures provide stable internet. 

Digital SIM is already integrated into the device's hardware when you buy it. You don’t need to insert the physical SIM card separately. eSIM is secure and cost-effective, providing instant connection with remote QR code activation.

But what is the best eSIM for you, and where can you buy the virtual SIM?

Phonico eSIM: Reliable data plans with unlimited talk and text 

Phonico is the ideal eSIM carrier that specifically offers data plans for the USA. You can get a variety of eSIM plans at different prices. Phonico stands out among the other carriers for its unlimited talk and text services with data. 

If you have an urgent trip to the USA, visit the Phonico official website or download the app from the App Store or Play Store. Select the data plans according to travel duration and complete the purchase. 

Here is what Phonico offers for its customers. 

• Remote QR code eSIM activation. 
• Fast 4G and 5G network coverage throughout the US and its surroundings. 
• Active customer support services.
• No data roaming or hidden costs. 
• Any strict contract does not bind users. 
• Offers unlimited call and text services.