Fixed line services

Currently, only Singtel offers fixed line services to homes and offices through the conventional telephone system. Starhub however, is also offering residential lines though a cable internet subscription.

Applications for a phone line can be made through:

• SingTel Retail Shops
• SingTel Mobile Authorized Dealers 

Documents to bring: Original Passport with validity of more than 6 months and Employment Pass.
A minimum deposit of $300 per line is required for Foreigners with a Work Permit, Social Pass, Student Pass or Dependent Pass 
Normally, telephone service is provided within 6 working days from the time of approval.

Mobile phone services

Singapore has one of the highest mobile phone ownership. According to IDA, Singapore has 6,513,500 mobile subscribers in total, a 134.6% mobile penetration rate (june 2009).
There are 3 mobile telephony providers:

• Singtel Mobile - 2.98 million subscribers
• Starhub Mobile - 1.82 million subscribers
• M1 - 1.62 million subscribers

All offer competitively-priced subscription plans for local and overseas calls. some subscriptions are pre-paid, while others are post-paid. Post-paid subscriptions can be bundled with attractive offers for new mobile phones and other discounts, but they require the signing of a 1 or 2 year contract. Early contract termination incurs heavy penalties. Check with your company if corporate discounts for new subscriptions are possible. To apply for a new mobile line, you will need to bring along your Employment Pass and Passport.

Public phones

Public phones can be found in abundance across the island. These are in the form of coin-operated pay phones (10 cents for a 3-minute call), card phones operated by phone cards in denominations of $3, $5, $10, $20 and $50, and credit card phones. Phone cards are available at all post offices and from phonecard agents everywhere. Although most coin-operated pay phones are for local calls only, there are some which accept coins of larger denominations and can be used for oversees calls. Most credit card phones are found at the airport or perhaps in major hotels. StarHub have been bringing out their own distinctive green public payphones to compete in this market also.

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