What Is a CIS Plan and How Does It Work

A Corporate Individual Scheme (CIS) plan is a special type of mobile plan that gives employees access to exclusive rates, perks, and data bundles through their workplace. It’s a program designed to help you save more while enjoying enhanced mobile benefits.

In Singapore, major telcos such as Singtel, M1, StarHub, and Circles.Life offer CIS plans through partnerships with companies, government agencies, and institutions. These plans often include features like bonus roaming data, no lock-in contracts, and lifestyle add-ons not found in regular consumer plans.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

• What Is a Corporate Individual Scheme(CIS) Plan?

• How Does the CIS Program Work?

• Who Is Eligible for a CIS Plan?

• Benefits of a CIS Plan

• Circles.Life Regular vs CIS Plan Comparison

• CIS SIM Plan Comparison of Singapore Top Telcos

• How to Apply for a CIS Plan

• Is a CIS Plan Worth It?

• FAQs About CIS Plans in Singapore

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re missing out on better mobile value through your company, this guide is for you.

What Is a Corporate Individual Scheme (CIS) Plan?

A Corporate Individual Scheme (CIS) plan is a mobile service offering designed specifically for employees of organizations that have a partnership agreement with a telco provider. The goal of a CIS plan is simple: to provide better-value mobile plans to individuals through their workplace.

These plans are not business lines. Instead, they are personal mobile subscriptions that come with added perks and discounted rates because of your company’s affiliation with the telco. This makes them ideal for professionals who want generous data, roaming options, and lifestyle extras without signing up for a corporate group plan.

There are different types of CIS plans available depending on the provider. These typically include:

• SIM-only plans with higher data limits and lower monthly fees

• Handset bundles with subsidized or discounted phone purchases

• Data-only or roaming plans for users who travel often or need international access

CIS plans are becoming increasingly popular in Singapore as more telcos team up with companies to offer flexible, no-contract options that give employees more value for their money.

How Does the CIS Program Work?

The Corporate Individual Scheme (CIS) works through partnerships between telcos and approved companies, government agencies, or educational institutions. When a company joins a CIS program, its employees gain access to special mobile plans that are not available to the general public.

Here’s how the process typically works:

1. Telcos partner with organizations to offer exclusive plan bundles.

2. Employees receive a unique sign-up link or promo code. This is often verified through a corporate email address or staff ID.

3. Once verified, users can browse and sign up for CIS plans online, with no need to visit a retail store.

Most CIS plans come with added advantages, such as:

• No-contract terms, giving you full flexibility to cancel anytime

• Handset discounts on the latest devices (with some telcos)

• Bonus data or roaming allowances built into the plan

• Lifestyle perks like streaming vouchers, entertainment deals, or AI tools

For Circles.Life CIS subscribers, all of this can be activated entirely online that is fast, easy, and hassle-free.

Who Is Eligible for a CIS Plan?

CIS plans are not open to everyone. They are specifically designed for individuals who are connected to an organization that has an active partnership with a telco provider.

You may be eligible if you are:

• An employee of a partnered company or multinational corporation (MNC)

• A civil servant, NSF (Full-time National Serviceman), or staff of a government agency

• A student or faculty member from selected educational institutions (depending on the telco)

Each telco has its own list of approved organizations, so eligibility can vary.

How to Check if You Qualify

To see if you’re eligible for a Circles.Life CIS plan:

1. Go to the Circles.Life CIS page

2. Enter your work email address

3. If your company is on the list, you’ll receive a verification link to unlock access to all available CIS offers

The process is simple, secure, and takes just a few minutes. If your company is not yet part of the program, you may even be able to refer them for consideration.

Benefits of a CIS Plan

Signing up for a CIS plan comes with several advantages that go beyond just saving a few dollars each month. These plans are designed to give employees more value, more flexibility, and more perks compared to standard mobile subscriptions.

Here are some of the top benefits:

1. Exclusive Discounts

CIS plans often offer lower monthly fees on SIM-only plans or mobile bundles. These rates are not available to the general public and are typically reserved for employees of partnered companies.

2. More Data for Less

One of the biggest perks is the generous data allowance. Many CIS plans include double or even triple the data compared to regular plans at the same price point. This is especially useful for heavy data users who stream, work remotely, or travel often.

3. Early Upgrade Options

Some telcos offer early handset upgrade programs for CIS subscribers. This allows you to get the latest device sooner without waiting out a full contract cycle.

4. Freebies and Lifestyle Add-ons

Depending on the provider, CIS plans may include extras such as:

• Free or discounted roaming data

• Streaming vouchers for platforms like Netflix or Disney+

• Movie ticket discounts

• Access to tools like CirclesAI, powered by GPT-4o

These perks add real value to your plan and make the CIS experience more rewarding overall.

Circles.Life Regular vs CIS Plan Comparison

Last updated in June 2025

🔍 Did You Know? Circles.Life CIS subscribers enjoy roaming coverage across up to 15 countries with no contract, while still accessing over 350GB to 1TB of high-speed 5G data.

CIS SIM Plan Comparison of Singapore Top Telcos

Choosing the right CIS plan means looking beyond just data. Here’s how Circles.Life stacks up against other major telcos offering Corporate Individual Scheme plans in Singapore.

Last updated in June, 2025

🔍 Did You Know? Circles.Life is one of the only telcos to offer full roaming, unlimited talk, CirclesAI access powered by OpenAI’s latest models, and eSIM on all its CIS plans with no contract and no price hike after three months.

How to Apply for a CIS Plan

Getting started with a CIS plan is fast and straightforward, especially if you’re applying through Circles.Life.

What You’ll Need

Before applying, prepare the following:

• A valid work email from your company domain

• A copy of your staff ID or company-issued identification

• Your NRIC or other valid government-issued ID (for verification purposes)

How to Apply Online

For most telcos, including Circles.Life, you can complete the entire process online:

1. Visit the CIS sign-up page (e.g. circles.life/sg/cis)

2. Enter your company email to check if your organization is eligible

3. Verify your identity with your NRIC and staff credentials

4. Choose your preferred CIS plan and complete the registration

5. Activate your SIM or eSIM — some plans are available instantly, with no need to visit a store

Offline Applications

For some providers like Singtel or StarHub, you may need to complete the process in a retail store or through your company’s HR representative. Be sure to bring all necessary documents with you if applying in person.

✅ Good to know: Circles.Life offers fully digital activation for CIS subscribers. You can complete everything online, choose an eSIM, and start using your plan within minutes.

Is a CIS Plan Worth It?

If you’re looking for better value, more data, and zero contract lock-ins, a CIS plan is one of the smartest mobile choices available, especially when compared to regular plans.

Cost vs. Regular Plans

CIS plans often offer significantly more data at a lower price than standard mobile subscriptions. For example, Circles.Life CIS users can get 350GB to 600GB of 5G data for as low as $15 per month, while regular customers may pay the same or more for far less data. These plans also come bundled with perks like free roaming, unlimited talktime, and AI tools, the benefits that typically cost extra elsewhere.

Who Should Consider It?

Whether you're a light user or someone who depends on fast, reliable data, CIS plans offer flexibility for both short-term and long-term use. Since most of them are contract-free, there’s no downside to switching when needed. You get premium features without being locked into a long commitment.

Best Fit For:

• Corporate employees of approved companies

• Freelancers or contractors with access to a CIS-eligible email domain

• Remote workers and frequent travelers who need roaming perks

• Data-heavy users who want premium coverage at affordable rates

FAQs

What is a CIS plan?

A CIS plan, or Corporate Individual Scheme plan, is a special mobile subscription offered to employees of companies that have a partnership with a telco. These plans include discounted rates, more data, and lifestyle perks.

How can I check if I’m eligible for a corporate individual scheme?

Go to your telco’s CIS sign-up page and enter your work email address. If your company is on the approved list, you’ll get instant access to available CIS offers. Check your eligibility at circles.life/sg/cis

Do CIS plans come with a contract?

Circles.Life CIS plans are fully contract-free. You can cancel anytime with no penalties. Some other telcos may offer CIS plans with 12 or 24-month contracts, especially on handset bundles.

Which telco offers the best CIS discounts in Singapore?

Circles.Life offers some of the most competitive CIS deals in the market, with up to 600GB of 5G data, free roaming, unlimited talktime, eSIM support, and unlimited GPT-4o access without a contract.

Can I keep my number when switching to a CIS plan?

Yes, all major telcos allow number porting when switching to a CIS plan. You can keep your existing number during sign-up.

What happens to my CIS plan if I leave the company?

With Circles.Life, your CIS plan remains active even after you leave your employer. Some telcos may revoke access once employment ends, so it’s important to check the provider’s policy.

Are CIS plans better than normal SIM-only plans?

For eligible users, yes. CIS plans usually come with more data, extra features, and better pricing than regular mobile plans which are all with the added convenience of no contracts.