GXBank has partnered with global connectivity provider Firsty to give customers easier access to international eSIM data plans through the digital bank's mobile app. The new service is aimed at Malaysians travelling overseas who want mobile internet access without purchasing a physical SIM card or activating conventional roaming. However, the buying process is not handled entirely inside the GXBank app. Users begin through GXBank's Rewards section before being redirected to Firsty's website to register and complete the purchase.
How to Find the Firsty eSIM Option in GXBank
GXBank has clarified that customers can locate the Firsty eSIM offer through the Rewards tab in its mobile app.
From there, users need to look under the "Missions for you" section and tap the "Get Your eSIM" button. Selecting "Buy Now" on the following page will redirect the user to Firsty's website.
Customers must then register an email address with Firsty before they can purchase a data plan.
This means the partnership provides a convenient starting point inside GXBank, but the eSIM is not purchased and managed completely within the bank's own interface. Firsty still handles the account registration, payment flow, eSIM delivery and connectivity service through its platform.
The process is nevertheless more straightforward than searching for a separate provider independently, particularly for GXBank users who discover the travel offer through their existing banking app.
Two Travel Data Plans Are Available
The Firsty plans offered through GXBank are similar to those already available through Grab, although the pricing is not completely identical.
GXBank users can choose between the Classic and Unlimited options.
The Classic plan is priced at RM4.90 per GB through the GXBank-linked offer. By comparison, the same category of plan is currently available through Grab for RM3 per GB.
It is not clear why the Classic plan carries a higher price when accessed through GXBank, especially when both services are connected to Firsty.
The Unlimited plan remains priced at RM10 per day, matching the price available through Grab.
Travellers should therefore compare the effective cost before purchasing, particularly when they only need a small amount of data. Someone requiring one or two gigabytes may find the per-gigabyte difference significant, while a heavier user may be better served by the daily Unlimited option.
The Meaning of "Unlimited" Still Requires Attention
Although Firsty describes its daily package as an Unlimited plan, users should understand how its fair-usage policy works.
Firsty's standard Unlimited offering provides high-speed connectivity for the first 5GB of daily usage. After that threshold is reached, speeds may be reduced to 512Kbps until the next day or until the user purchases an additional top-up.
The plan therefore continues providing data after the high-speed allowance is consumed, but the reduced connection may be noticeably slower for video streaming, large downloads, cloud backups or other bandwidth-heavy activities.
For basic messaging, map navigation, email and light browsing, the reduced speed may still be usable. Travellers relying on video calls or remote work should monitor their daily consumption more carefully.
What Is Firsty?
Firsty is a Dutch-Singaporean telecommunications company founded in 2023. It provides international mobile connectivity through eSIM technology rather than relying on traditional physical SIM cards.
The platform works with local mobile networks in more than 170 countries and has partnerships with over 600 mobile carriers worldwide.
When a traveller activates a Firsty eSIM in a supported destination, the service connects the device to an available local network. This can help users avoid the higher charges often associated with international roaming from their primary mobile operator.
Firsty also operates its own consumer mobile application, but its business model extends beyond that standalone app. The company provides embedded connectivity services that other businesses can incorporate into their own digital platforms.
Its enterprise partners reportedly include Grab, Uber, PEXX, Belfius and Mastercard. The GXBank collaboration adds another financial-services platform to that list.
How Firsty's Own Plans Compare
Firsty offers additional connectivity choices through its own application and website, although these may differ from the plans promoted through GXBank.
Its standalone service includes a Free plan that offers basic advertising-supported internet access. This option is designed for essential connectivity rather than high-speed or data-intensive use.
The company's own Classic pricing begins from approximately EUR0.98 per GB, while its Unlimited service starts from around EUR2 per day. Final prices may vary depending on the destination, plan duration, local network arrangements and current exchange rates.
Because GXBank's Firsty link redirects users to the provider's website, customers should carefully review the final price displayed before confirming a purchase. The promoted Malaysian pricing may not necessarily reflect every destination, add-on or available package.
Plans Can Be Purchased Before Travelling
One of the main benefits of an eSIM is that it can be purchased and prepared before departure.
Travellers can select their Firsty plan, install the eSIM profile on a compatible smartphone and activate the service once they arrive at their destination.
This may help reduce the usual inconvenience of searching for a local SIM card at an airport, visiting a telecommunications shop or relying on public Wi-Fi immediately after landing.
However, users should still install the eSIM while they have a reliable internet connection. They should also confirm that their phone supports eSIM technology and is not locked to a particular mobile operator.
It is also important to avoid activating the travel plan too early if its validity period begins immediately upon activation.
GXBank Offers 100% Cashback for the Launch
To promote the partnership, GXBank is offering 100% cashback on one eligible Firsty data plan purchased through the GXBank app's promotional path.
This effectively gives eligible customers an opportunity to try the service without bearing the final plan cost, provided they meet the campaign requirements.
GXBank has not clearly stated how long the promotion will run or whether there are spending limits, destination restrictions, account requirements or other conditions.
Customers should review any campaign terms displayed in the Rewards section before purchasing. The cashback may also be credited after the transaction rather than deducted immediately at checkout.
Firsty Is Already Part of the Grab Ecosystem
The GXBank partnership is not Firsty's first appearance within the wider Grab ecosystem.
Grab introduced access to Firsty travel eSIMs in 2025 as part of its expansion into third-party digital services. Users can purchase Firsty plans through the Grab app, including the Classic package at RM3 per GB and the Unlimited plan at RM10 per day.
GXBank's new offer largely mirrors those choices, but the higher Classic rate makes the comparison noteworthy.
GXBank customers may still find the offer attractive because of the launch cashback. Once that promotion ends, however, users purchasing smaller data allowances may want to compare pricing across Firsty, Grab and other travel eSIM providers.
What Travellers Should Check Before Purchasing
International eSIM services can be convenient, but users should not assume that every plan offers the same experience in every country.
Network speed and coverage will depend on Firsty's local carrier partner in the destination. Certain countries may support 5G, while others may be limited to 4G or a slower connection.
Travellers should also check whether hotspot sharing is permitted, how long the plan remains valid, whether incoming calls and SMS are included, and whether the service provides data only.
Most travel eSIMs do not replace a normal mobile number. Users may need to keep their Malaysian SIM active for banking verification codes, calls or SMS while using the Firsty eSIM for mobile data.
Final Thoughts
GXBank's partnership with Firsty gives customers another convenient route to purchase international mobile data before travelling.
The offer can be found through the Rewards tab under "Missions for you," but users are redirected to Firsty's website and must register an email address before completing the purchase. It is therefore better described as an integrated promotional pathway rather than a fully native eSIM service inside the GXBank app.
The RM10-per-day Unlimited plan matches Grab's pricing, while the RM4.90-per-GB Classic option is noticeably more expensive than Grab's RM3 rate. GXBank's 100% cashback promotion may temporarily offset that difference, but customers should still compare the final cost, coverage and usage conditions before choosing a plan.
For frequent travellers, the convenience of arranging connectivity before departure could make the service useful. The real value will depend on destination coverage, actual network performance and the terms attached to each package.
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