Choosing a prepaid plan used to be fairly simple. You compared the monthly price, checked how much data was included and bought whichever SIM card worked around your home. The arrival of 5G has made that comparison much messier.
One plan offers “unlimited” internet but has a speed limit. Another gives a large fixed quota at full speed. A third includes hundreds of gigabytes, but only makes sense if its network performs well where you actually use your phone.
I compared the current prepaid passes available from CelcomDigi, Hotlink and U Mobile to see what Malaysians are really getting for around RM35 to RM40 a month.
The short answer is that U Mobile offers the largest amount of full-speed data on paper. Hotlink has the strongest unlimited-style package in this price range, while CelcomDigi provides a straightforward fixed-data option at RM35. That does not automatically make one network the best for every person. Coverage at home, at work and along your regular commute can matter more than an extra 50GB or 100GB.
Plan information and prices are updated for August 2026. Prepaid offers change regularly, so confirm the final details inside the relevant telco app before subscribing.
Quick Comparison
For a fair comparison, I selected one 30-day plan from each provider in roughly the same price range.
| Provider and Plan | Price | Included Data | Speed | Hotspot & Calls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CelcomDigi Prepaid 5G Hyper 35 |
RM35 | 150GB | High-speed 5G/4G | Included hotspot Unlimited calls |
| Hotlink RM40 monthly pass |
RM40 | Unlimited, with 200GB FUP | 48Mbps (uncapped 5G from 8pm-8am) |
Unlimited hotspot Unlimited calls |
| U Mobile ULTRA Prepaid 38 |
RM38 | 250GB | Unlimited speed | Shared from 250GB quota Unlimited calls |
On allowance alone, U Mobile ULTRA Prepaid 38 is difficult to ignore. RM38 buys 250GB with no advertised speed cap, and the same quota can be used for hotspot.
Hotlink takes a different approach. Its RM40 pass is promoted as unlimited, runs at up to 48Mbps during normal usage and includes a 200GB Fair Usage Policy allowance. Hotlink also advertises uncapped 5G between 8pm and 8am.
CelcomDigi Hyper 35 is the simplest of the three: 150GB of high-speed 5G or 4G data, hotspot access and unlimited calls for RM35.
CelcomDigi Prepaid 5G Hyper 35
CelcomDigi currently offers several types of prepaid pass rather than trying to fit everyone into one “unlimited” package. The Hyper range is based on a fixed amount of high-speed data. Hyper 35 provides 150GB for RM35 over 30 days, while the cheaper Hyper 30 includes 50GB for RM30.
This structure is easy to understand. There is no need to calculate whether 18Mbps is fast enough or wonder what “unlimited” means after a Fair Usage Policy limit is reached. You receive 150GB and use it for normal phone data or hotspot.
For many people, 150GB is already more than enough. It works out to an average of 5GB per day, which leaves plenty of room for social media, maps, music, browsing and regular video streaming.
The awkward part is the account structure inherited from the Celcom and Digi merger. According to CelcomDigi’s prepaid instructions, customers on some older Xpax or Digi prepaid plans may need to upgrade to Edisi Biru or Edisi Kuning before certain newer passes appear in the app. That does not make the plan bad, but existing users should check what is shown under their own number instead of assuming every advertised pass is immediately available.
CelcomDigi is a sensible choice if:
- You prefer a clear fixed-data allowance.
- RM35 is your target monthly budget.
- You use hotspot but do not need hundreds of gigabytes.
- CelcomDigi already works reliably at your home and workplace.
- You do not want an “unlimited” plan with a separate FUP calculation.
The main limitation
U Mobile currently provides 100GB more data for only RM3 extra. If both networks perform equally well in your area, CelcomDigi is not the strongest choice based purely on data-per-ringgit.
Hotlink RM40 Prepaid 5G Pass
Hotlink’s RM40 pass sits between a speed-capped unlimited plan and a conventional data quota. The regular advertised speed is 48Mbps. From 8pm to 8am, Hotlink includes uncapped 5G speed. The plan also includes unlimited calls, unlimited hotspot use and a 200GB Fair Usage Policy allowance.
A stable 48Mbps connection is sufficient for almost everything most people do on a phone. It can handle HD streaming, video calls, app downloads and ordinary hotspot work. The number may look less exciting than an uncapped plan, but consistency is often more useful than a very high speed-test result that changes from one location to another.
The 200GB FUP is the detail readers should notice. “Unlimited” does not mean that every customer can consume unlimited high-speed data indefinitely. Heavy users should read the current terms and check what happens after the FUP threshold.
The official Hotlink comparison also lists a cheaper RM30 pass. That plan runs at 18Mbps and has a much smaller 50GB FUP, so the RM40 option is the more balanced comparison for regular streaming and hotspot use.
Hotlink is a sensible choice if:
- You prefer unlimited-style usage instead of watching a fixed balance.
- A 48Mbps daytime speed is enough for your needs.
- You regularly use your phone as a hotspot.
- Most of your heavy downloads or streaming happen at night.
- Hotlink reception is already dependable along your daily route.
The main limitation
At RM40, it costs slightly more than the other two plans in this comparison. U Mobile also offers a larger full-speed quota for RM2 less, assuming U Mobile coverage is suitable for you.
U Mobile ULTRA Prepaid 38
U Mobile changed its prepaid lineup in April 2026, so older comparisons mentioning U Prepaid 35 or U Prepaid 40 may no longer reflect what a new customer sees.
The current ULTRA Prepaid 38 provides 250GB for RM38, unlimited advertised speed, unlimited local calls and hotspot usage shared from the main quota.
There is no separate 10GB hotspot bucket on this plan. If you have 180GB left, that remaining allowance can be used on your phone or shared with another device. Based on the published numbers, this is the strongest value of the three. It gives more data than CelcomDigi Hyper 35 and avoids Hotlink’s normal 48Mbps speed limit.
The lower ULTRA Prepaid 28 is also worth noting for lighter users. It includes 50GB for RM28, but only 5GB is allocated to hotspot. At the other end, ULTRA Prepaid 50 raises the allowance to 500GB and includes two three-hour ULTRA5G Priority passes.
U Mobile is a sensible choice if:
- You want the most data for around RM40.
- You download large games or app updates.
- You frequently share your connection with a laptop or tablet.
- You want full-speed data instead of a 24Mbps or 48Mbps plan.
- U Mobile performs well in the places where you spend most of your time.
The main limitation
A generous allowance has little value when indoor reception is weak. U Mobile itself states that actual experience can vary according to location, device, terrain, network traffic and whether the user is indoors. Treat any coverage map as a guide rather than a guarantee.
Which Telco App Is Easier to Manage?
All three providers now expect prepaid customers to manage most routine tasks through an app.
- CelcomDigi: The CelcomDigi app handles reloads, pass subscriptions and account information. However, former Celcom, Digi and Xpax users may see different upgrade paths depending on their existing prepaid rate plan.
- Hotlink: The Hotlink app provides monthly pass purchases and reloads as well as features such as SOS Top Up and credit sharing. Its plans are presented around price, speed and validity, which makes them relatively easy to compare before subscribing.
- MyUMobile: Allows users to purchase data plans, manage add-ons, top up and extend account validity. U Mobile users can also use the *118# menu for a number of plan-management functions.
I would not choose a mobile network based on the app alone. A clean interface is useful for the few minutes spent buying a pass, but network performance affects the entire month.
Do Not Choose Based Only on a 5G Logo
A phone displaying 5G does not guarantee that it will be faster than a strong 4G connection. Performance may change inside a condominium, at the back of a shop lot, in a lift lobby or during the evening rush. Two people living in the same town can have completely different experiences because they connect to different sites or spend their time inside different buildings.
Before porting your main number, check:
- Reception inside your home, not only outside it.
- Signal quality at your workplace or campus.
- Coverage during your normal train or driving route.
- Whether calls remain reliable when 5G is unavailable.
- Performance during the hours when you normally use the most data.
My Verdict
For the best published data value, U Mobile ULTRA Prepaid 38 wins. The combination of 250GB, unlimited speed, shared-quota hotspot and unlimited calls for RM38 is the strongest offer on paper.
For users who prefer an unlimited-style plan and already trust the Hotlink network in their area, Hotlink RM40 is the more balanced alternative. The 48Mbps normal speed is enough for most phone activities, while uncapped 5G is available overnight.
For someone who wants to stay at RM35 and prefers a simple high-speed quota, CelcomDigi Hyper 35 remains a practical choice. Its 150GB allowance is generous for ordinary phone use, even though it does not win the data-per-ringgit comparison.
The Most Important Condition
Choose the network that works in your actual locations. A cheaper plan with 250GB is not a bargain if your bedroom, office or daily commute sits in a weak coverage area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which prepaid 5G plan is cheapest among CelcomDigi, Hotlink and U Mobile?
For the comparable plans in this article, CelcomDigi Hyper 35 is the cheapest at RM35. U Mobile ULTRA Prepaid 38 costs RM38, while the selected Hotlink pass costs RM40. Cheaper plans are available from all three providers, but they include less data, lower speed or a smaller hotspot allowance.
Which plan gives the most data?
U Mobile ULTRA Prepaid 38 provides 250GB. Hotlink’s RM40 plan has a 200GB FUP, while CelcomDigi Hyper 35 includes 150GB.
Which plan is best for hotspot use?
U Mobile ULTRA Prepaid 38 allows hotspot usage to be deducted from its 250GB main quota. Hotlink advertises unlimited hotspot on its RM40 plan, subject to the plan’s overall terms and FUP. CelcomDigi Hyper 35 also includes hotspot access from its 150GB quota.
Does unlimited prepaid data really mean unlimited?
Not necessarily at full speed. An unlimited plan may have a speed cap, Fair Usage Policy or reduced speed after a stated amount of usage. Always check the FUP rather than relying only on the word “unlimited.”
