CIS vs Regular SIM-Only Plans: Is It Worth Upgrading?

In Singapore’s highly competitive mobile market, SIM-only plans have become a popular choice for users who want affordability and flexibility without being locked into contracts. These plans are widely available and can be activated easily, offering a range of data options, call minutes, and add-ons based on how much you're willing to pay.

Alongside these public offerings is another type of plan that not everyone knows about: the Corporate Individual Scheme (CIS). CIS plans are special mobile subscriptions provided by telcos to employees of approved companies or institutions. The purpose of CIS is to reward eligible users with better deals, larger data bundles, and added perks as part of an ongoing partnership between their employer and the telco.

Unlike regular SIM-only plans, CIS plans are tied to corporate verification. They are still personal accounts, paid for by the individual, but come with benefits like discounted rates, extra roaming data, and premium features that are not typically included in standard plans.

In this article, we’ll break down how CIS and regular SIM-only plans work, compare them across major telcos in Singapore, and help you decide which option offers the best value based on your lifestyle and eligibility.

• How Do CIS SIM-Only Plans Work?

• How Do Regular SIM-Only Plans Work?

• Key Differences Between CIS and Regular Plans

• Regular Plan vs CIS Plan: Which One Should You Choose?

How Do CIS SIM-Only Plans Work?

A Corporate Individual Scheme (CIS) is a special type of mobile plan designed for employees of companies or organizations that have formal partnerships with telco providers. These plans offer enhanced value in the form of discounted rates, added data, lifestyle perks, and roaming benefits that are not available with regular SIM-only plans.

CIS plans are made possible through partnership agreements between telcos and selected businesses, government agencies, or educational institutions. When a company is onboarded into a telco’s CIS program, its employees can access these offers by verifying their work email or submitting employment identification.

Despite being tied to a corporate partnership, CIS plans are individual subscriptions. They are paid for and managed by the user, not the employer. This gives employees the freedom to select a plan that suits their needs without having to go through their company’s admin or finance teams.

Most CIS plans are also no-contract, meaning users can cancel or switch plans at any time without penalties. In addition to this flexibility, they typically include premium benefits such as:

• Larger data allocations

• Free or discounted roaming

• Unlimited talktime and SMS

• AI-powered tools like CirclesAI

• eSIM support and exclusive lifestyle rewards

These features make CIS plans a strong upgrade for users who qualify through their workplace.

How Do Regular SIM-Only Plans Work?

Regular SIM-only plans are widely available mobile subscriptions that anyone in Singapore can sign up for. These plans are not tied to any employer, institution, or partnership. They are open to the general public and typically offered through telco websites, retail stores, or mobile apps.

Most regular plans follow a tiered pricing structure, where the cost is based on how much data, talktime, and extras are included. Entry-level plans may offer limited data and basic features at a low price, while higher-tier plans come with more generous data allowances, free caller ID, and entertainment bundles.

Because they are available to everyone, regular SIM-only plans do not require any form of corporate verification or eligibility check. They are also contract-free in most cases, allowing users to cancel, upgrade, or switch telcos without long-term obligations.

While regular plans are convenient and flexible, they may lack the bonus perks, exclusive discounts, or roaming benefits found in CIS plans, especially for users who need more data or travel often.

Key Differences Between CIS and Regular Plans

While both CIS and regular SIM-only plans offer flexibility and no long-term contracts, there are clear differences in terms of value, access, and included perks. Below, we break down these key differences to help you decide which option fits your needs.

Price and Data Allowance

CIS plans generally offer more data at a similar or lower price than regular plans. For example, Circles.Life offers 350GB on its CIS plan for $15, while a regular plan at that price point may only include 100GB.

This makes CIS plans ideal for users who stream, work remotely, or rely heavily on mobile data throughout the day.

Roaming and International Benefits

CIS plans often come with built-in roaming for popular destinations across Asia or even globally. Regular plans, on the other hand, usually require add-on packages or top-ups to access roaming data.

With Circles.Life’s CIS Global plan, users can get 5GB global roaming included at $28 per month which is something not typically offered on standard plans at that price.

Extra Perks and Freebies

CIS plans come packed with exclusive perks. These may include:

• Free caller ID

• Unlimited GPT-4o access through CirclesAI

• Monthly movie ticket deals

• Data rollover and eSIM support

Regular plans may include some of these perks, but usually only on premium tiers or for a limited time.

Eligibility and Access

Regular SIM-only plans are available to everyone, while CIS plans require eligibility through a partnered company, government agency, or school. You typically need to verify your work email or provide a staff ID to access these offers.

Long-Term Flexibility

Both CIS and regular plans are contract-free, but CIS plans may offer better value long term. With Circles.Life, even if you leave your company, your CIS plan will stay active so you don’t lose access to the data, perks, or pricing you signed up for.

Comparison of Singapore’s Top Telcos: Regular Plan vs CIS Plan

We’ve compared the regular and CIS offerings from four of Singapore’s major telcos to help you see how they stack up in terms of pricing, data, and perks.

Circles.Life – Regular vs CIS Plan

Last update: June 2025

Singtel – Regular vs CIS Plan

Last update: June 2025

M1 – Regular vs CIS Plan

Last update: June 2025

StarHub – Regular vs CIS Plan

🔍 Did You Know? Circles.Life is currently the only major telco offering CIS plans with up to 600GB of 5G data, unlimited talktime, GPT-4o access, and no contract that are all available through instant online sign-up.

Regular Plan vs CIS Plan: Which One Should You Choose?

Choosing between a regular SIM-only plan and a CIS plan depends on your usage habits, lifestyle, and eligibility.

Choose a CIS Plan If:

• You work for a company that is part of a CIS partnership

• You use large amounts of mobile data each month

• You travel regionally or globally and need roaming included

• You want premium features like data rollover, eSIM, and unlimited GPT-4o access

• You prefer no-contract plans with more perks for the same or lower cost

CIS plans offer exceptional value for heavy users and frequent travelers. With larger data bundles and built-in roaming, they’re ideal for people who want more flexibility and fewer top-ups.

Stick with a Regular Plan If:

• You’re not eligible for a CIS program through your employer

• You have light to moderate data usage

• You prefer basic mobile services without extra perks

• You want a low-cost entry-level option with no corporate verification

Regular plans still provide good flexibility and are widely available, making them a solid choice for users with simple mobile needs.

Final Verdict: Is CIS Worth the Switch?

If you’re eligible, the answer is almost always yes.

CIS plans offer more data, better roaming, and exclusive perks at prices that are often equal to or lower than standard SIM-only plans. With no contracts and generous features like unlimited talktime, CirclesAI access, and global roaming on select tiers, they’re built for users who want maximum value without long-term commitment.

The key consideration is eligibility. If your company is part of a telco’s CIS program, you’re in a great position to upgrade. And with Circles.Life, the process is fully online, with instant activation and no hidden terms.

If your company isn’t partnered yet, you can still refer them or explore high-data regular plans. But if you do qualify, a CIS plan gives you more for every dollar you spend with flexibility that fits any mobile lifestyle.

✅ Ready to check if you’re eligible? Visit circles.life/sg/cis and enter your work email to unlock exclusive CIS offers.