New PrivateSIM supplementary line offers users a digital decoy for OTPs, sign-ups, and spam-free serenity
In a digital landscape increasingly marred by data breaches, spam deluges, and identity theft, CelcomDigi is offering a surprisingly simple solution: a second number you won’t mind giving away.
Launched under the name PrivateSIM, this new supplementary line is tailored for Malaysians who want to shield their personal mobile numbers when registering for online services, signing up for free trials, or navigating the OTP-heavy world of digital banking.
It’s a modern-day burner number but without the sketchy connotations.
At just RM10 a month, PrivateSIM is positioned as a low-cost privacy buffer that helps users declutter their main number while sidestepping unsolicited messages and phishing risks.
Think of it as a digital firewall for your SIM tray.
A Strategic Play for the Security-Conscious Consumer
The launch cleverly taps into rising public concerns over cybersecurity and digital hygiene.
With consumers growing weary of giving out their mobile numbers to every app, giveaway, and online store, PrivateSIM offers a practical alternative—one that doesn’t require juggling dual SIM phones or carrying a second device.
CelcomDigi is rolling out PrivateSIM as an eSIM offering, meaning users can activate the service without a physical SIM card—provided they’ve got a compatible device and an empty eSIM slot.
It’s seamless, modern, and fits the minimalist tech lifestyle many aspire to.
Currently, PrivateSIM is only available to Malaysian citizens aged 18 and over, and only to those already on CelcomDigi’s Postpaid 5G 80 plan or higher.
That makes it a feature add-on for premium users, not a standalone product for the budget crowd.
Marketing Opportunity or Missed Opportunity?
From a brand perspective, PrivateSIM is a savvy move.
It positions CelcomDigi as not just a telco, but a digital ally—one that understands user pain points in an era of excessive digital exposure.
It also gives CelcomDigi a new lever to retain high-value postpaid customers who may appreciate the added layer of control and privacy.
However, by restricting availability to higher-tier users, the company may be missing a golden opportunity to reach younger, privacy-conscious Malaysians who live on prepaid plans or digital-only services.
PrivateSIM isn’t just a gimmick—it’s a signal of where the telco market is heading: toward personalised, privacy-first offerings that go beyond data quotas and network speeds.
As the subscription economy booms and digital fatigue grows, consumers are increasingly seeking tools to reclaim control over their digital lives.
CelcomDigi might just have found a small but significant way to help them do that.
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he APPIES is an annual event that presents a rare opportunity for creative, media, digital and marketing agencies or brands to present their best campaigns to the industry.
This is the only event where Live Presentations meets Live Judging.
Similar to TED Talks, The APPIES is the chance for great presenters with outstanding work to show it off to some of the industry’s most important industry leaders.
This year’s winners will receive Gold, Silver or Bronze trophies for 21 categories, and 6 special Best of Best categories (red trophies) that require no submissions!
Campaign entries must have run between June 2024 to May 2025
