International Direct Dial or commonly known as IDD, is the international prefix used to make overseas calls from a country. Singapore has many telecoms companies providing a variety of IDD services. You can find out if there is one offering a service for your needs. Many telecom providers in Singapore supply reduced rate International Direct Dial (IDD) telephone calls.

The IDD prefix is the international prefix required to dial a call from the country listed to another country. This is followed by the country code for the country being called. Singapore has multiple IDDs, with each one used by a different long-distance carrier. Generally, better quality connections (often called "premium" by the suppliers) are more expensive than calls made on lower rate ("budget") where the line may crackle and have a time lag.


Making an IDD call from Singapore

When dialing overseas, first dial the IDD number, followed by the country code and the recipient's telephone number (including area code). If the local area code begins with "0", omit this after dialing the IDD prefix.

Example: IDD prefix + Country Code + Local area code + Number

StarHub IDD Services
StarHub provides IDD calls to StarHub subscribers on request for activation. Tel: 1633 (activation is free). Fixed line and mobile subscribers of other services may register with StarHub for IDD. Tel: 1800 225 5433.

IDD 008: Telephone and fax IDD calls for businesses and private users. A video call service is also available to StarHub 3G Mobile subscribers IDD number: 008

IDD 018: Reduced rate calls long distance calls. See the website for details on rates and countries IDD number: 018

StarHub International Calling Card: Allows for post paid overseas calls to be made from Singapore using IDD 008 or IDD 018. A PIN number is required for this.

HomeConnect: Prepaid phone card can be used to make international calls from fixed line, mobile and public phones in Singapore using IDD 008 or IDD 018. Can also be used to call internationally to Singapore.

Singtel IDD Services
SingTel provides IDD services to home subscribers and to businesses.

IDD 001: Can be used with fixed line and mobile cellular telephones.

BudgetCall 013: Reduced rate IDD calls can be made from fixed line and mobile cellular telephones.

V019: Lowest rate IDD calls can be made from fixed line and mobile cellular telephones.

STD 020: IDD calls to Malaysia.

Prepaid international calling cards
Prepaid international calling cards can be bought from many small shops and outlets such as money changers and shopping centres. A prepaid card will be credited with the amount the user credits it with and will run out when all the credit has been used

IDD phone calls can be made using a prepaid phone card and an international call service as listed above.

International calling card (Premium): Call the telephone number and enter the 10 digit number on the prepaid card to activate it. Tel: 1898
International calling card (Budget): Generally a less clear line. Call the telephone number and enter the 10 digit number on the prepaid card to activate it Tel: 1892
SingTel ICC™: International calling card which can be used from any telephone; billing is monthly.

WorldCardTM: Prepaid international calling card which can be used for local Singapore calls, international calls from or to Singapore and for international calls from or to other countries. Tel: 1800 838 3322

SingTel Phonecard: Prepaid calling card for local and international calls and can be used from public telephone booths. Tel: 1800-838 3322

Hello!TM Card: Prepaid international calling card.

IDD fax
IDD fax is a data line that is less expensive to use than conventional IDD numbers for overseas fax. The other IDD numbers can also be used for fax.

FaxPlus 012: IDD connections for fax lines only.

Customer service (toll free) Tel: 1800 838 3555

M1
M1 provides IDD services to existing customers; it is automatically available on the mobile cellular phone. Registration is required for fixed line users and subscribers to other mobile providers.

The service is available to Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents (PR) over the age of 21.

To register:

Tel: 1627

Premier IDD 002: IDD service for good connections. Tel: 1627

IDD 021: Reduced rate IDD calls to selected countries with lower rates for off-peak times. Tel: 1627

1818 International Calling Card: Prepaid international calling card for international calls made from Singapore only to selected countries in Asia.

Zone Telecom
Zone1511 is a specialist IDD call provider which routes calls through any one of a number of complying IDD service providers with the purpose of getting the best depending on time of day and destination of the call. ZONE1511 can only be used for outgoing international calls from a Singapore fixed line telephone or fax number or a SingTel, M1 or StarHub mobile phone number.

Before using the service the outgoing telephone number must be registered with Zone1511. There is no limit to the number of telephone numbers - fixed line and mobile - that may be registered by a single client and the service is available to commercial and home users.

1511Express: A prepaid service for home or business users with online sign-up for calls made to specific countries
1511BIZ: IDD for businesses; calls are automatically routed via quality line connections. Monthly billing
1511123FREE: IDD for home users only; each fourth minute to certain destinations is free. Monthly billing
1511CHAT: Option of low call rates and reduced quality for longer call times. The service is for home users only. Monthly billing
1511FAX: Fax only service for business and home users. Monthly billing.