Data SIM Card: Kuala Lumpur

What

The XPAX prepaid SIM Card from Celcom. There were various plans with different expiration dates. Because of my travel needs, I choose one good for one month. It came with 10GB of data and  5GB of Facebook, Whatsapp, and other SNS.  It came with a local voice number too but I'm not sure how much it cost to make calls.  I'd paid MYR45 for it in mid Feburary 2017, in KLIA.  This Celcom counter only accepted cash, and I had to show my passport.

There were no problems getting 4G data in and around KL.  On the way to and from the east coast of Malaysia, data connection would drop to 3G, or below.  Otherwise I didn't have any issues.  

Where

On the way to the immigration counters, there were a bunch of counters from various mobile phone companies. I picked Celcom counter by chance.

Bibliography

https://www.xpax.com.my/xpax/
http://www.kuala-lumpur.ws/airport/klia.htm

Data SIM: Helsinki

As free WiFi is readily available all over Helsinki, you may not need to get local SIM card.  I'd wanted one for when I'm out and about for Google Maps etc.

What

The "Rajaton Prepaid" offered by DNA seemed to have the best value.  It has the face value of €7 but it was often on sale for €4.9.  Indeed, when I got in in early November 2016, it was still on sale for €4.9.  For €0.89/day, one gets unlimited local calls and data, i.e. should be good for your stay of ~1 week.  Rates and other details available on the DNA site.  At the point of sales, no ID-check, cash or credit cards accepted.  Instant activation. Hassle-free, fast data speed. 

Where

At the R-Kiosk convenience store located in the arrivals hall 2A (terminal 2,) Vantaa airport.

 

Note to Myself

To activate the SIM card, one needs to enter the "PIN1" code.  This is a 4-digit number.  I'm noting it here because once I'd scratched off the security screen, there were a bunch of numbers for PIN1, PIN2, PUK1, and PUK2.  Looks like PIN1 and PIN2 are 4-digit and PUK1, and PUK2 are 8-digit.  It wasn't obvious to me where the codes started/ended.  So, initially I'd entered 12 digits and failed.

Bibliography

http://toomanyadapters.com/buying-sim-card-finland/ 

http://tabi-recipes.com/archives/6311 (in Japanese)
https://corporate.dna.fi/en/dna-prepaid
https://www.finavia.fi/en/helsinki-airport/services/shops/kiosk-rkioski-2/