DriftAsia Reference

Malaysia
mobile operators

Which operators power our eSIM plans for Malaysia, the local network to lean on, and what a tourist SIM costs on the ground.

The DriftAsia eSIM plans for Malaysia shown on this page use CelcomDigi, Maxis, U Mobile and offer 5G depending on the plan. Check each plan for its exact network, data allowance, validity and price before choosing. Available plans are fully refundable within 30 days as long as the eSIM has not been used on a network at the destination.

Main operatorCelcomDigi
Local SIM$7-12
Operators in our plans3

Strong peninsula coverage; Borneo interior patchier.

79 MSI87 NQI

Plan share by operator

Share of the eSIM plans we sell for Malaysia, by underlying operator.

CelcomDigi: 50% (102 plans) Maxis: 38% (78 plans) U Mobile: 12% (24 plans) 3 OPERATORS
  • CelcomDigi50%
  • Maxis38%
  • U Mobile12%

Network at a glance

CelcomDigi is the network most travellers lean on in Malaysia. 5G is live on at least one operator we carry, so newer phones can reach top speeds in covered areas. On our Mobile Speed Index it scores 79, placing it among the stronger networks in the region. Median data price has risen from $0.83 per GB in April 2026 to $1.08 in August 2026.

The operators behind our plans

Each network we carry in Malaysia, with who runs it and what generation it reaches.

CelcomDigi#2
Owner
Axiata Group + Telenor
Network
5G
5G
5G since December 2022
Plans we carry
102
Maxis#1
Owner
Maxis Communications
Network
5G
5G
5G since December 2022
Plans we carry
78
U Mobile#3
Owner
U Mobile Sdn Bhd
Network
5G
5G
5G since May 2023
Plans we carry
24

Common questions

Which operator is best in Malaysia?

CelcomDigi offers the widest reach for most travellers. Strong peninsula coverage; Borneo interior patchier. Our eSIM plans run on the strongest available network, so you do not have to choose a SIM at the counter.

Does Malaysia have 5G?

Yes. At least one operator we carry runs 5G, available mainly in larger cities and along major corridors. Older devices fall back to 4G automatically.

How much is a local SIM in Malaysia?

A tourist SIM bought on arrival typically runs $7-12. An eSIM skips the queue and the passport scan, and activates by QR code before you land.

How many operators power Malaysia eSIM plans?

We carry plans across 3 operators in Malaysia. The donut above shows how our catalogue splits between them.

How we read this

Plan share counts how many of the eSIM plans we sell for Malaysia run on each operator. It reflects catalogue depth, not subscriber market share. The top operator is the network we would hand a traveller who can pick only one.