Like a cat and mouse game, M1 announced the pricing plan and sales date of the iPhone just hours after Starhub put up their pricing. Both will start selling the iPhone from 9 December with M1 offering a much more attractive pricing plans than incumbent SingTel and Starhub.

Like other two Telcos, M1 is offering the iPhone 3GS from S$0 for their iPhone Unlimited plan to S$658 for the iPhone 3GS 32GB. The monthly fee for the various plans are generally similar to the others, with similar offerings of call times and SMS/MMS. But what stands out is their offering of 10GB data plans for even the most affordable iPhone Value plan (S$36/mth) – a massive ten times more than what SingTel and Starhub are providing. This will probably be more than enough for most customers, unless you start streaming online music or Youtube videos.

Looking at the price comparison between three Telcos with their iPhone-specific plans, I think the biggest loser will be Starhub. SingTel’s customers with the iPhone 3GS would be locked for at least a year more before they can start switching.

For Starhub customers, it is a different story. There is less a hindrance to switch camps now that number portability is available. With both M1 and Starhub announcing their plans within hours of each other doing so – to switch to M1 with a much lower monthly fee, mostly cheaper iPhone price and a much better data plan – is looking like a much better option!

So who will get your money come 9 December?

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