Landlines and mobile phones in Singapore
As in many developed countries, mobile phones have taken over the landline network in Singapore. Whether you're moving there for a few months or for longer, you might be able to get around simply through one of the mobile telephony providers that are in operation in the country.
There are many phone service providers in Singapore, yielding a competitive environment that can only benefit customers. If part of your plan while in Singapore includes traveling to nearby Southeast Asian countries, some operators offer deals that include roaming internet access. This is highly recommended and significantly smooths out your travel experience. If you intend to stay in Singapore for a while and plan on getting a television subscription, be sure to look at the many bundles offered by the providers.
Landlines in Singapore
You can subscribe to a landline phone if you're a permanent resident and above 17 years of age. If you aren't a permanent resident, you need to be above 21 to set up a landline.
To set up the line, you need to visit the branch of the operator from which you would like to set up the landline and bring your personal documents, including your passport or identity card, as well as documentation confirming your residency status. Additionally, you need to present proof of address, such as a water or electricity bill. You can also sign up online.
The installation process can take up to five days. The main provider of landline services is SingTel, and it offers numerous services and facilities at competitive rates, including packages that are designed for national and international calls.
Mobile phones in Singapore
The big mobile operators include Singapore are SingTel, Mobile One, and StarHub. These providers offer 4G and 5G prepaid services, as well as contracts at competitive rates.
If you have an unlocked phone and need a SIM card immediately upon your arrival in Singapore, you can buy one at the money exchange outlets at Singapore Changi. Most of the outlets will indicate very clearly whether they sell SIM cards, and it's very practical to get a card while at Changi. To avoid any surprises, don't hesitate to ask the staff to help you set up the card and test your access. You can sign up for a proper contract at a later time and request that your number be ported to your new contract. The SIM cards cost between S$10 to S$20, and you can also top up via a smartphone app and a credit card.
Alternatively, prepaid cards are available in supermarkets, shops, and service stations. If you buy a phone at the same time as you purchase the contract, it'll be locked by the provider. If you wish to avoid this, you can purchase the phone outright from one of the many electronic outlets in Singapore.
Making international calls
To make calls from Singapore to foreign countries, you must dial "001" followed by the country code and number you want to call without the initial "0". Here are some examples:
- United States: 001 1 state code phone number without the initial "0"
- UK: 001 44 area code phone number without the initial "0"
- Canada: 001 1 area code phone number without the initial "0"
- Australia: 001 61 area code phone number without the initial "0"
- New Zealand: 001 64 area code phone number without the initial "0"
Payphones in Singapore
If you want a vintage touch, lose your phone, or have it stolen (which is a very improbable outcome given how safe Singapore is), you can also use a public booth to make your calls. There are over 2,000 public payphones in the nation, and many of those are on street corners, but mostly in public spaces like hospitals, the airport, libraries, food centers, void decks, and coffee shops.
Some operate with prepaid cards that can be bought in shops, post offices, and libraries from S$5. Coin phones still exist, but these are becoming increasingly rare. In fact, you just might find some that only accept coins that were issued before 2013!
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