BackHow to Call Overseas Like it's Local
On 5G Unlimited+ Plans, calling overseas is simple whether you're in Singapore or abroad. IDD calls to overseas numbers and roaming calls while travelling are both built into your plan — no prefixes, no per-minute charges, no surprises on your bill.
In This Guide
- How to call overseas from Singapore?
- When would you need to make international calls?
- How to call overseas when you're travelling?
- When you'll need to call while travelling?
- WhatsApp vs. Standard Overseas Calling
- Which 5G Unlimited+ Plan should you get?
- FAQs
How to Call Overseas from Singapore?
Traditionally, making an overseas call meant managing specific IDD prefixes and paying per-minute rates that varied by country. Now, with 5G Unlimited+ Plans that complexity is gone. Calling overseas from Singapore is no different from calling a friend across town as international calls and SMS are fully integrated into your plan. You dial the number (including country and area codes) directly with no prefixes, no per-minute charges, and no surprises on your monthly bill. That's a guarantee.
When would you need to make
international calls?
Calling family back home
A huge part of Singapore's population has family in Malaysia, India, China, Indonesia, or the Philippines. Those weekly calls shouldn't feel like something you budget for separately.
Working with regional teams or overseas clients
If your team spans KL, Jakarta, and Manila, a five-minute call to unblock something beats a fifteen-message thread. Landlines are covered too, not just mobile numbers.
Calling hotels, airlines, or services before a trip
Plan ahead for a seamless holiday by confirming bookings or securing reservations at popular dining spots that might only be contactable through a landline number.
Receiving calls from overseas on your Singapore number
A supplier calling from Mumbai or a family member ringing from Penang? Incoming overseas calls are covered on 5G Unlimited+ Core Plans & above, so you can pick up without worrying about the cost.
On a plan without unlimited IDD? Here's the dialing format
If you're on 5G Lite, 5G Senior or an older StarHub postpaid plan, overseas calls are charged per minute. Dial IDD prefix + country code + local number (drop the leading 0). StarHub's prefixes are 008 (premium) and 018 (economical).
On mobile, press and hold 0 to get the + symbol - this replaces the prefix. Save contacts in +country code format and you dial them like any local number.
Calling Malaysia? 👉
How to Call Malaysia from Singapore covers the +60 country code, JB and KL area codes, and common mistakes in full detail.
How to Make Calls Like a Local When You're Travelling Overseas?
The moment you land, your phone switches to roaming on a local partner network (if you have roaming enabled) and your local Singapore number stays active. With all 5G Unlimited+ Plans, global roaming calls and SMS are included and unlimited, so you can call out and receive calls through our global partner networks with no extra charges, no activation needed.
💡 The Key Difference
IDD is calling overseas from Singapore. Roaming is using your phone abroad for calls, SMS, or data.
When You'll Need to Call
While Travelling?
Emergency calls back to Singapore
If your credit card gets locked while shopping in Tokyo or you need to reach your bank immediately, you shouldn't be searching for WiFi. Dial the +65 number directly and resolve it instantly.
Coordinating with local services
Whether it's calling a local driver who can't find your pickup point in Bali or calling a restaurant in Paris to move your reservation, these are local numbers that don't always use WhatsApp. Just call them like a local.
Connecting with fellow travellers
You're in London, but your friend is on an Australian number in the same city. With 5G Unlimited+ Plans, you can call any international number while roaming without worrying about "Double Roaming" charges.
Essential banking & app OTPs
Securing a flight or making a large purchase often requires an SMS OTP from your Singapore bank. On 5G Unlimited+ Plans, roaming SMS is fully covered so you never get locked out of your accounts while abroad.
Travelling soon? 👉 StarHub's roaming guide covers activation, destination lists, and more.
WhatsApp vs. Standard Overseas Calling
While internet-based apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, and Telegram enable calls and messages over data or WiFi, they still require an active and stable network connection.
Here are 3 scenarios where a standard voice call is the better choice.
✕ Reaching Official Entities
Hotels, airlines, banks, and government offices typically do not use messaging apps for official support. If you need to reach a landline or a corporate service center overseas, app-based calling isn't an option.
✕ Unstable Data Environments
App calls eat into your mobile data and depend on your connection quality. Remote areas with weak coverage, lead to call drops.
✕ Critical or Time-Sensitive Calls
When a conversation is time-critical, like confirming an urgent travel change or a business negotiation, you can't risk the lag and need the immediate, high-fidelity connection that only a direct network call provides.
Which 5G Unlimited+ Plan
should you get?
Frequently Asked Questions
On mobile, press and hold 0 to get the + symbol, then dial the country code and number without the leading 0. A Malaysian mobile 012-345 6789 becomes +60 12-345 6789. Save overseas contacts in that format once, and from then on you dial them exactly as you would a local number.
Technically yes, all overseas calls utilise IDD routing. However, on 5G Unlimited+ Core Plans & above, this is integrated automatically. You don't need to select an IDD prefix or manage per-minute rates. For those on 5G Lite, Senior or older postpaid plans, you will still need to choose between 008 and 018 prefixes.
StarHub provides two options: 008 for premium call quality and 018 for a more economical per-minute rate. Simply dial your chosen prefix before the country code. If someone overseas is calling you, Singapore’s country code is +65.
Not exactly. WhatsApp and FaceTime operate over the internet (VoIP), so they use data rather than the mobile network. While useful for app-to-app communication, they cannot reach landlines or official corporate numbers (like banks or hotels) and are dependent on data connection stability.
Most connection issues stem from incorrect number formatting. Ensure the leading 0 has been removed and the correct country code is present. Additionally, verify that IDD is enabled on your plan and that you are using the correct prefix (008/018) if required.
Malaysia’s country code is +60. Remove the leading 0 from the local number; for example, 012-345 6789 becomes +60 12-345 6789. For landlines like KL (03), it becomes +60 3 followed by the number. For a full guide, visit: How to Call Malaysia from Singapore.
Call Overseas Like It's Local
Your mobile plan should empower you, not hold you back. With StarHub's 5G Unlimited+ Plans, you get the flexibility and affordability of a no-contract SIM Only service paired with the power of unlimited data and built-in device savings. It’s time to live your best life, connected.
Switch to a 5G Unlimited+ PlanDisclaimer:
This content is provided for general information and convenience. While we take care in preparing our articles, readers should refer to official sources or professional advice for specific, up-to-date details.
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