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Singapore changes to new 8-digit phone numbering format
From March 1 2002, callers will have to add the number '6' in front of all existing 7-digit local fixed-line Singapore phone and fax numbers. This change comes in response to the growing consumer market and an increasing demand for telephone lines.
Using Expat Singapore as an example, as of March 1 callers will need to dial 62266062 instead of the old 2266062.
The number '6' was chosen because it is currently the least used first digit in Singapore phone numbers and is therefore likely to cause the least confusion when new 8-digit phone numbers are introduced.
It is important that all business and residential users identify where any 7-digit phone numbers have been programmed and make the necessary changes before April 1 at the latest.
For more information about the new 8-digit phone numbering format click here.
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Singapore Telecom (SingTel) is the national body responsible for providing, maintaining and billing all fixed-line and international telephony services in Singapore.
Application
Applications for a phone line can be made by:
1. Calling 169 if you are a residential customer or 166 if you are a business customer
2. Filling out an application form at any post office, Singapore Telecom Customer service outlet or Teleshop.
Singapore Telecom
31 Exeter Road
Tower Block
Comcentre 1
Tel: 838-3388
http://www.singtel.com
Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 8am-6pm; Sat: 8am-2pm
3. Mailing a completed application to:
For residential customers:
The Department Manager
Residential sales
Singapore Telecom
Orchard Post Office Box 309
For business customers:
The Department Manager
Corporate sales
Singapore Telecom
Orchard Post Office Box 398
4. An initial deposit of $250 for foreigners with work permits and $500 for foreigners with social visit passes applies.
5. Normally, telephone service is provided within 6 working days from the time of approval.
MobileOne (M1)
10 International Business Park
Singapore 609928
Tel: 895-1111
Web: http://www.m1.com.sg
M1's more than 680,000 post-paid and pre-paid customers can now place international calls to over 230 countries with the launch of M1's '002' premium International Direct Dialling (IDD) service on 18 August 2000.
M1's '002' enters the IDD market with the most competitive package in Singapore for premium IDD service. Rates are lower than the market by as much as 40%. There are primarily two features of this premium service that distinguish it from the competition...read
Read Business Times article "Shrinking your IDD bills".
StarHub Pte Ltd
Calling overseas has never been so easy. With StarHub IDD services, you can keep in touch with your families and friends anywhere in the world. With our simplified rates and per second billing, you have the power to enjoy greater savings. With StarHub's IDD 008, you don't pay for international calls that last 12 seconds or less. So if you dial a wrong number or get an answering machine, your call will not be charged. This is another new and innovative value added service from IDD 008. Register for a Free IDD Activation within 24 hours. Just dial 1800-Call IDD (1800-2255 433).
Address
StarHub Pte Ltd
51 Cuppage Road
#07-00 StarHub Centre
Singapore 229469
Tel: (65)8255000
Fax: (65) 7215000
www.starhub.com.sg
International Direct Dialing (IDD)
To make an IDD call, simpy dial the access code 001(for SingTel), 002 (for M1), and 008 (for StarHub), followed by the country code, area code and party's number. Again M1 and StarHub are competing in this market and currently offering great deals for all IDD calls. You need to first pre-register your phone number (whether home, office or mobile). Registration is easy. Give the respective operators a call.
Call 104 for a complete listing of country codes.
Toll-free operator services *updated 04/05/00, please note
General enquiries (residential lines) - 1609
General enquiries (business lines) - 1606
General enquiries (international calls) - 104
Local call assistance / number enquiry - 100
Fault reporting - 1608
Time announcement service - 1711
Mobile phone service - 1626
Pager service - 1620
Charges
There is a rental fee of $100 per annum for residential lines and $150 for business lines. Usage charges are as follows:
Mon-Fri 8am-6pm: 1.4 cents per one minute block
Mon-Fri 6pm-8am / Whole day on Sat/ Sun & public holidays :0.7 cents per one minute block.
Note: All of these charges are subject to change, especially with the increased competition in the telecommunications sector. For StarHub details, please contact them using details above.
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.
Mobile phone / paging services
Singapore has one of the highest mobile phone and pager ownership figures in the world. Roughly 1 in 3 now own mobile phones and 1 in 2 own pagers, although with plummeting mobile prices, the pager is not at all the novelty it once was and many people just opt for a mobile now (which is almost a pager after all). With the advent of new models and a fiercely competitive local market, this is all good news for the consumer - you will find the price of new models dropping by at least 30% after the initial month of release and attractive trade-in offers at many outlets. Mobile phones are relatively expensive to buy in some cases but the call charges (airtime) are very reasonable by international standards. Currently mobile phone services run on either GSM (900 and 1800), PCN, E-TACS or AMPS networks and are provided by three companies: SingTel, M1 and StarHub. Paging services are provided by four companies: SingTel, M1, Hutchinson and SunPage. For more information you can contact the providers at:
SingTel Mobile
Singapore Telecom (Comcentre Branch)
31 Exeter Road
#03-00 Comcentre
Singapore 239732
Tel: 1626
Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web: http://singtel-mobile.com/main.html
MobileOne (M1)
10 International Business Park
Singapore 609928
Tel: 895-1111
Web: http://www.m1.com.sg
StarHub Pte Ltd
StarHub Centre
51 Cuppage Road
Singapore 229469
Tel: 782-7482
Fax: 343-2036
Web: http://www.starhub.com.sg
Hutchinson Intrapage
Hotline: 1623
Tel: 568-3737 (Enquiries and Customer Service)
SunPage
18 Raffles Quay #01-20
Tel: 224-4494
Web: http://www.sunpage.com.sg
For more information on applying for phone lines, charges and Singapore Telecom services, please contact: 838-3388 or for StarHub 782-7482.
Mobile Madness
Do you realize that someone is calling someone else on his or her mobile phones these days? Day in, day out, on buses, in the MRT, it just, well, sounds like a melody. Read.
'002' premium IDD service by M1
40% off current market rates, M1's '002' IDD service offer non-peak rates to the 25 most popular IDD destinations which include Indonesia, China, Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. The IDD peak and non-peak hours will also follow M1's current easy-to-remember mobile timing. Read
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