Yes 4G/5G SIM Review 2026: Malaysia's 5G Pioneer, from RM30
Did you know? Yes launched back in 2010 as the world's first fully converged 4G network, and in December 2025 it became the first Malaysian telco to put 5G Advanced on a prepaid plan.
Quick take: Yes (by YTL Communications) is a data-first, 5G-focused prepaid SIM that's excellent value for city-based heavy data users, but its coverage outside urban areas trails CelcomDigi and Maxis, so it's a smart secondary or city SIM rather than a one-size-fits-all pick.
Updated · Independent review of the Yes prepaid 4G/5G SIM
Quick Verdict
- →Malaysia's 5G pioneer. Yes was an early converged-network and 5G mover, YTL is a shareholder in DNB (the company behind Malaysia's initial single 5G wholesale network), and Yes was first to offer 5G Advanced on prepaid.
- →Data-heavy value from RM10 to RM30. Entry 5G Advanced prepaid starts around RM10/month for roughly 20GB; the RM30/month plan gives unlimited uncapped 5G. Promo pricing shifts, so always check the listing.
- →Coverage caveat (be honest): overall reach trails CelcomDigi and Maxis, especially in rural areas and East Malaysia. Best where Yes / 5G coverage is strong, major cities and the Klang Valley.
- →eSIM & hotspot supported on compatible phones / plans (watch tethering caps and fair-usage). MCMC SIM registration required.
Get a Yes 4G/5G SIM
Data-first prepaid on YTL's 5G-ready network, from RM30. Compare the current data bundles on Shopee.
Buy Yes SIM on ShopeeWhat Yes Is & Its 5G History
Yes is a Malaysian mobile network operated by YTL Communications, part of the YTL Corporation group. It launched in November 2010 as a data-first, all-IP operator, marketed at the time as the world's first fully converged 4G (WiMAX) service with voice. That heritage is why Yes has always leaned into data and, later, 5G rather than traditional voice bundles.
Yes migrated from WiMAX to a nationwide 4G LTE network in 2016 (built with Samsung, and carrying Malaysia's first VoLTE), then moved into 5G. When Malaysia rolled out 5G through Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), the government-linked entity that built the country's initial single 5G wholesale network, YTL was among DNB's shareholders. Yes switched on consumer 5G from December 2021, starting in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Cyberjaya, and has marketed itself heavily as a 5G-forward operator ever since. Malaysia has since moved toward a dual-network 5G model, so we'd frame Yes as an early 5G mover rather than the sole 5G player.
The most recent milestone came in December 2025, when Yes became the first Malaysian telco to offer 5G Advanced (5.5G) on prepaid, nationwide across its 5G footprint. It is a genuine plus for city users on compatible devices, though the benefit only shows up where 5G Advanced has actually been deployed.
Today Yes sells both 4G and 5G prepaid and postpaid plans, plus portable Wi-Fi / data devices. For this review we focus on the prepaid 4G/5G SIM most people buy on Shopee, what you get, how the 5G holds up, and where the honest trade-offs are.
Yes Timeline: WiMAX to 5G Advanced
The fast version of the Yes story, most recent first, from a 2010 WiMAX launch to being the first Malaysian telco with 5G Advanced on prepaid.
2026
Prepaid from RM10, unlimited 5G at RM30
The 5G Advanced prepaid line-up spans an entry Starter plan around RM10/month (roughly 20GB uncapped 5G) up to an RM30/month plan with unlimited uncapped 5G, unlimited 4G capped at about 7Mbps and roughly 12GB of hotspot, all on 30-day validity. Promo pricing shifts, so confirm the live listing.
Dec 2025
First to offer 5G Advanced on prepaid
Yes becomes the first Malaysian telco to bring 5G Advanced (5.5G) to prepaid, offered nationwide across its 5G footprint, extending its data-first, 5G-forward positioning.
2023 to 2024
Malaysia moves toward a dual 5G network
Malaysia shifts from DNB's single wholesale model toward a two-network 5G structure. The wholesale arrangements evolve, so Yes is best framed as an early 5G mover rather than the sole 5G player.
Dec 2021
Yes 5G goes live
Yes is among the first operators to switch on consumer 5G in Malaysia, powered by DNB's wholesale network, starting in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Cyberjaya.
Jun 2016
Nationwide 4G LTE and first VoLTE
With Samsung, YTL Communications launches a nationwide 4G LTE network and Malaysia's first Voice over LTE (VoLTE), migrating off the earlier WiMAX network.
Nov 2010
Yes launches on WiMAX
YTL Communications launches Yes as, in its own words, the world's first fully converged 4G (WiMAX) service with voice at national scale, a data-first, all-IP approach that was unusual in a voice-centric market.
Plans, Data, Validity & Price
The 2026 Yes 5G Advanced prepaid line-up starts low and scales up to an unlimited-5G plan. Because Yes refreshes promos regularly, treat the figures below as a snapshot (accurate as of mid-2026) and confirm the exact quota, validity and hotspot cap on the specific listing before buying.
| Plan | Price / month | Data | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5G Advanced Starter | ~RM10 | ~20GB uncapped 5G | Cheapest entry tier, shared hotspot, 30-day validity |
| 5G Advanced Prepaid 20 | ~RM15 to RM20 | ~50GB (5G Advanced + 4G) | Promo pricing has run around RM15; shared hotspot |
| 5G Advanced Prepaid 30 | ~RM30 | Unlimited uncapped 5G | Unlimited 4G capped ~7Mbps, ~12GB hotspot, 30-day validity |
| Item | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Network | Yes (YTL Communications), 4G LTE + 5G / 5G Advanced where available |
| Validity | Typically 30 days per cycle; check the listing |
| Calls / SMS | Unlimited on-net (Yes to Yes) calls and SMS on the 5G plans |
| 5G access | Yes, where 5G / 5G Advanced coverage has reached (mainly cities / Klang Valley) |
| eSIM | Available on compatible phones / plans (confirm per listing) |
| Hotspot / tethering | Supported; unlimited plan caps hotspot separately (around 12GB) |
| Registration | Mandatory under MCMC, MyKad (citizens) or passport (visitors) |
Plan prices and quotas as of mid-2026; Yes reprices and reshuffles promos frequently.
Always verify the listing. Telco prepaid plans in Malaysia change frequently. Before paying, check the exact data amount, validity in days, whether it is 5G-enabled, and any fair-usage or hotspot conditions, these are the details that determine real value.
Unlimited-Data Offerings Explained
A big part of Yes's appeal is its unlimited-data positioning. The headline prepaid plan runs around RM30/month for unlimited uncapped 5G, plus unlimited 4G (managed at about 7Mbps) and roughly 12GB of hotspot. There are unlimited-data portable Wi-Fi and home devices too. For a city-based heavy streamer, gamer or remote worker, an unlimited-style Yes plan can be one of the better data-per-ringgit deals in Malaysia.
The honest caveat, as with virtually all "unlimited" mobile plans here, is the fine print. Depending on the specific plan you may encounter:
- Fair-usage policy (FUP): speeds may be managed after a high usage threshold.
- Hotspot caps: tethering data is limited separately (for example around 12GB on the RM30 plan).
- Speed tiers: the 4G portion is capped (around 7Mbps) while 5G stays uncapped.
None of that makes the plans bad, it just means "unlimited" is best read as "very generous 5G data, subject to terms." If you plan to tether a laptop all day or replace home broadband, read the FUP and hotspot conditions on the exact plan first.
5G Coverage, Strengths & Weaknesses
This is where being honest matters most. Yes's strength is urban 5G and data value; its weakness is overall coverage breadth.
Where Yes shines
- Major cities and the Klang Valley, where 5G / 5G Advanced has reached
- Heavy data users wanting large / unlimited-style plans
- Strong data-per-ringgit value, from RM10 up to RM30
- Portable Wi-Fi / data-device use cases
Where Yes struggles
- Rural areas and smaller towns
- East Malaysia (Sabah & Sarawak)
- Off-the-beaten-track travel and highlands
- Anywhere overall reach matters more than peak data
For context: CelcomDigi is widely regarded as having Malaysia's broadest coverage (especially rural and Borneo), with Maxis close behind. Yes generally sits below the big two on overall reach, which is the main reason it is better suited as a city-centric primary SIM or a secondary/data SIM than as a do-everything national SIM.
The practical advice: check Yes coverage (and 5G availability) for your specific home, work and travel spots before committing. If those locations are well covered, Yes can genuinely outperform on value; if you roam widely or rural, lean toward CelcomDigi or Maxis instead.
Where to Buy, Registration, eSIM & Hotspot
Where to buy. Yes SIMs are sold on Shopee, the Yes website and app, Yes stores/kiosks, and selected retailers. Shopee is the easiest way to compare the current data bundles and pick one up before or shortly after arriving.
Registration. All prepaid SIMs in Malaysia must be registered under MCMC rules, Malaysians use a MyKad, foreign visitors use a passport. Registration is usually handled in the Yes app or at point of sale; keep your ID ready when activating.
eSIM. Yes has offered eSIM on compatible phones, activated by scanning a QR code instead of inserting a physical card. eSIM support isn't guaranteed on every plan/listing, so confirm it (and that your phone is eSIM-compatible) before buying if you need a digital SIM.
Hotspot / tethering. Yes plans generally allow hotspot use, and Yes is well known for portable Wi-Fi devices, but the unlimited plan caps hotspot data separately (around 12GB) and some plans apply a fair-usage policy. If tethering is central to your use, verify the hotspot allowance on the specific plan.
Yes vs CelcomDigi, Maxis, U Mobile & eSIMs
Yes competes against Malaysia's big networks (CelcomDigi, Maxis/Hotlink), the budget challenger (U Mobile), and travel eSIMs (Airalo, Yesim) that don't need a physical SIM at all. The right pick depends on whether you prioritise coverage, price, data volume or convenience.
| Option | Coverage | Best for | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yes (YTL) | Strong in cities; trails big two rurally | City heavy-data & 5G users; secondary/data SIM | ~RM10 |
| CelcomDigi | Broadest (best rural & Borneo) | Travel anywhere, rural, East Malaysia | ~RM35 |
| Maxis / Hotlink | Very wide; strong urban + most rural | Balanced coverage + multi-country travel SIM | ~RM35 |
| U Mobile | Good urban; weaker rural | Budget data in cities | ~RM12 |
| Airalo / Yesim eSIM | Rides on local networks; no physical SIM | Short trips, instant setup, multi-country | From ~US$4.50 / $0.54/day |
vs CelcomDigi: CelcomDigi wins on raw coverage, which is the single biggest reason to prefer it for travel, rural trips or Borneo. Yes counters on 5G-forward branding and data value in cities, plus the cheap RM10 to RM30 5G Advanced tiers. If reliability everywhere matters most, CelcomDigi; if you're city-based and data-hungry, Yes is the value play.
vs Maxis / Hotlink: Maxis offers a strong balance of urban and rural coverage and a popular multi-country travel SIM (Hotlink). Yes can undercut on data value in well-covered areas but doesn't match Maxis's breadth. Pick Maxis/Hotlink for a dependable all-rounder, Yes for city data value.
vs U Mobile: U Mobile is the budget challenger with cheap entry data plans and good urban performance, but weaker rural reach. Both Yes and U Mobile are city-strong value picks, choose based on the exact plan price/data and which has better coverage at your locations. U Mobile is also building Malaysia's second 5G network, so its 5G story is evolving too.
vs travel eSIMs (Airalo, Yesim): for short visits, a travel eSIM is the most convenient option, activate before you land, no physical SIM, often multi-country. The trade-off is they ride on local networks (so coverage mirrors whichever partner they use) and can cost more per GB than a local prepaid. For longer stays or heavy data, a local Yes/CelcomDigi/Maxis SIM is usually better value; for a quick, hassle-free trip, an eSIM wins on convenience.
Who Yes Is For (Audience Cohorts)
Yes fits some users far better than others. Here is how it lands across the main cohorts:
5G-hungry city users
The sweet spot. If you live or work in a 5G-covered city or the Klang Valley and want fast speeds, Yes's 5G-forward positioning, including 5G Advanced on prepaid, and its data value are genuinely compelling.
Budget unlimited-data seekers
If you want big or unlimited-style data without a premium price, Yes is one of the stronger value plays (unlimited 5G around RM30/month), just read the fair-usage and hotspot terms before relying on it for very heavy use.
Students
For campus and city life, the RM10 to RM20 5G Advanced tiers deliver a lot of data for the money. Confirm coverage on and around your campus, especially if it's outside a major urban centre.
Light users
Yes is built around generous data, so very light users may not need the largest plans. The RM10 Starter plan already covers casual use; weigh whether a cheaper budget plan elsewhere fits better.
Tourists
Workable for city-focused, data-heavy trips, but not the default tourist pick, coverage outside cities trails CelcomDigi and Maxis. For Borneo, Langkawi, highlands or wide travel, a CelcomDigi/Hotlink SIM or a travel eSIM is safer.
Secondary / data-only SIM users
A great role for Yes: keep your main number on CelcomDigi/Maxis for coverage, and use a cheap, data-heavy Yes SIM (or portable Wi-Fi device) for cheap data in the city, tethering or a second device.
Setup Tips
- 1Check coverage first. Before buying, confirm Yes (and 5G) coverage at your home, work and key travel spots, this is the single biggest factor in whether Yes works for you.
- 2Read the plan fine print. Verify the data quota, validity in days, 5G eligibility, and any fair-usage / hotspot caps on the exact listing before paying.
- 3Have your ID ready. MCMC registration is mandatory, MyKad for Malaysians, passport for visitors. Register via the Yes app or at point of sale.
- 4Want eSIM or 5G Advanced? Confirm your phone supports eSIM (and 5G Advanced) and that the specific plan enables it before purchasing.
- 5Consider Yes as a second SIM. Pairing a coverage-first main SIM with a cheap data-heavy Yes SIM (or portable Wi-Fi) often gives the best of both worlds.
Tip: if a Yes plan is advertised as "unlimited," test your real-world speeds and any hotspot limits early in the validity window, while you can still switch SIMs cheaply if it doesn't suit your locations.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Most complaints about Yes come down to a mismatch between the plan and where or how it's used. These are the traps we see most often:
1. Buying Yes for wide travel or East Malaysia
The biggest one. Yes is a city network at heart. If your trip covers Sabah, Sarawak, Langkawi, the highlands or rural routes, coverage will feel thin next to CelcomDigi or Maxis. Check the coverage map for your actual destinations before you commit, and use Yes as a city SIM, not a road-trip SIM.
2. Assuming "unlimited" means unlimited hotspot
The RM30 plan gives unlimited uncapped 5G, but the hotspot is a separate, smaller bucket (around 12GB). People who buy it to replace home broadband or tether a laptop all day burn through the hotspot quota fast and then wonder why tethering slows. Always read the hotspot line beneath the "unlimited" headline.
3. Overpaying for data you won't use
If you mostly message, browse and stream a little, the RM10 Starter plan (around 20GB) is plenty. Jumping straight to the RM30 unlimited plan is easy money left on the table for light users. Match the tier to your real monthly usage.
4. Expecting 5G Advanced everywhere
Being first to prepaid 5G Advanced is a real headline, but the speed uplift only appears where 5G Advanced has been deployed and on a compatible phone. Treat it as a city bonus rather than a guarantee, and don't pay a premium expecting it in every neighbourhood.
5. Not registering the SIM properly
MCMC registration is mandatory. An unregistered or half-registered SIM can be barred. Complete registration in the Yes app or at point of sale with your MyKad (or passport for visitors) before you rely on the number.
Pros and Cons
✓ Pros
- 5G-forward heritage, an early mover in Malaysia's 5G era (YTL is a DNB shareholder)
- First Malaysian telco with 5G Advanced on prepaid
- Strong data-per-ringgit value, from around RM10
- Unlimited uncapped 5G plan around RM30/month
- Good speeds in well-covered cities / Klang Valley
- eSIM on compatible phones; hotspot/tethering supported
- Easy to buy on Shopee and compare bundles
- Great as a cheap secondary / data-only SIM
✗ Cons
- Coverage trails CelcomDigi and Maxis, especially rural and East Malaysia
- 5G / 5G Advanced availability depends on where the rollout has reached
- "Unlimited" plan caps hotspot separately and manages 4G speed
- Not the default pick for wide-travelling tourists
- Plan line-up and promos change often, must verify each listing
FAQ
Who operates the Yes network in Malaysia?
Yes is operated by YTL Communications, a subsidiary of YTL Corporation (the YTL conglomerate). It launched in November 2010 as the world's first fully converged 4G (WiMAX) network with voice, migrated to nationwide 4G LTE in 2016, and rolled out 5G from December 2021. YTL is also a shareholder in Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), the government-linked company that built Malaysia's initial single 5G wholesale network, which gave Yes an early role in the country's 5G rollout. Today Yes offers both 4G and 5G prepaid and postpaid plans.
Is Yes good for 5G in Malaysia?
Yes positions itself strongly around 5G and was an early mover when Malaysia's 5G network went live in December 2021. In December 2025 it became the first telco in Malaysia to offer 5G Advanced on prepaid nationwide. In areas with good 5G coverage, major cities and parts of the Klang Valley, users often report fast speeds and strong value, especially on unlimited or large-data plans. The catch is that 5G availability still depends on where the rollout has reached, and overall network reach is narrower than CelcomDigi or Maxis. If you are mostly in well-covered urban areas, Yes can be excellent for 5G; if you travel widely or rural, treat 5G as a bonus rather than a guarantee and check coverage for your specific locations.
How much does a Yes prepaid SIM cost and how much data do you get?
The 2026 Yes 5G Advanced prepaid line-up starts low: an entry Starter plan runs around RM10/month for roughly 20GB of uncapped 5G data, a mid tier around RM15 to RM20/month for about 50GB, and the RM30/month plan gives unlimited uncapped 5G plus unlimited 4G (capped at around 7Mbps) with roughly 12GB of hotspot, on 30-day validity. Exact data quotas, promo pricing and fair-usage terms change often, so always confirm the data amount, validity period and any hotspot cap on the current listing before buying.
Does Yes really offer unlimited data?
Yes has an unlimited-5G prepaid plan (around RM30/month for unlimited uncapped 5G, plus unlimited 4G capped at about 7Mbps), and it markets unlimited-data home and portable devices too. As with most "unlimited" mobile plans in Malaysia, the specifics matter: some plans apply a fair-usage policy, a separate hotspot/tethering cap (for example around 12GB), or speed management on the 4G portion. Treat "unlimited" as "very generous 5G data subject to terms" and read the plan's fair-usage and tethering conditions before relying on it for heavy use.
What is Yes 5G Advanced?
5G Advanced (also called 5.5G) is the next step up from standard 5G, with higher peak speeds, lower latency and better capacity in busy areas. In December 2025 Yes became the first Malaysian telco to bring 5G Advanced to prepaid, offering it nationwide across its 5G footprint. In practice you get the benefit only where 5G Advanced has been deployed and on a compatible device, so it is a genuine plus for city users but not something to expect everywhere.
How does Yes coverage compare to CelcomDigi and Maxis?
Honestly, Yes generally trails CelcomDigi and Maxis on overall coverage breadth, particularly in rural areas, smaller towns and East Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak). CelcomDigi is widely regarded as having the broadest reach, with Maxis close behind. Yes is most competitive in urban and well-developed areas where its 5G and data value shine. For a SIM you can rely on anywhere in the country, including Borneo and off-the-beaten-track travel, CelcomDigi or Maxis/Hotlink are safer; for city-centric, data-hungry use, Yes is a strong-value option.
Does Yes support eSIM?
Yes has offered eSIM activation on compatible phones, letting you activate a digital SIM by scanning a QR code instead of inserting a physical card. Availability and the exact activation flow can change, and not every plan or listing is eSIM-enabled, so confirm eSIM support for the specific plan and that your phone is eSIM-compatible before purchasing if you need a digital SIM.
Can I use a Yes SIM as a hotspot / for tethering?
Yes plans generally support hotspot and tethering, and Yes is well known for portable Wi-Fi / data devices aimed at exactly this kind of use. However, some unlimited or large-data plans cap the amount of hotspot data separately from on-device data (for example around 12GB on the RM30 unlimited plan), or apply a fair-usage policy. If you intend to tether laptops or share with others heavily, check the plan's specific hotspot allowance and fair-usage terms.
Do I need to register a Yes prepaid SIM?
Yes. All prepaid SIMs in Malaysia must be registered under MCMC (Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission) rules. Malaysians register with a MyKad; foreign visitors register with a passport. Registration is typically done through the Yes app or at point of sale. Keep your ID handy when activating.
Is Yes a good SIM for tourists?
Yes can work for tourists who stay mainly in Kuala Lumpur and other major cities and want lots of data, but it is not the default tourist pick. Because coverage outside urban areas trails CelcomDigi and Maxis, travellers heading to Langkawi, the highlands, Borneo or smaller towns are usually better served by a CelcomDigi or Hotlink tourist SIM, or a travel eSIM (Airalo, Yesim). If your itinerary is city-focused and data-heavy, Yes is worth considering for the value.
Where can I buy a Yes SIM?
Yes SIMs are sold via Shopee, the Yes website and app, Yes stores/kiosks, and selected retailers. Buying on Shopee is convenient for comparing the current data bundles and prices, and is how many people pick up a SIM before or shortly after arriving. Always check the listing's data quota, validity and whether it is 4G or 5G-enabled before paying.
Final Verdict: 4.0/5
Yes is a genuinely good prepaid SIM for the right user. Its 5G-forward heritage, data-heavy plans and value pricing (from around RM10, with unlimited 5G at RM30) make it one of the better picks for city-based, data-hungry users in areas where Yes coverage, ideally 5G, is strong. As a cheap secondary or data-only SIM, it's especially easy to recommend, and being first to 5G Advanced on prepaid adds a real edge for city devices.
The honest limitation is coverage. Yes generally trails CelcomDigi and Maxis on overall reach, particularly in rural areas and East Malaysia, and its "unlimited" plan caps hotspot and manages 4G speed. That keeps it from being a no-questions national SIM, and is why we land at 4.0/5 rather than higher.
Bottom line: if you're city-centric and want lots of fast data for the money, check Yes coverage at your locations and it can be excellent value. If you travel widely or rural, or you're a tourist heading beyond the big cities, CelcomDigi or Maxis/Hotlink (or a travel eSIM for short trips) is the safer call. Compare the current Yes bundles via our link below.
Get a Yes 4G/5G SIM
Data-first prepaid on YTL's 5G-ready network, from RM30. Compare the current data bundles on Shopee.
Buy Yes SIM on ShopeeDisclosure: This page contains an affiliate link. We may earn a commission when you buy through it. This does not affect our review, all opinions are based on independent research and real-world use.