How to use Singapore phone number (+65) with roaming in Vietnam for business

After Singapore company registration, besides using the Director and Secretary Services, office services, many GLA customers also want to register a phone number in Singapore and roam to Vietnam to be able to quickly respond, care for, advise, and reflect to their international customers.

The following article by GLA aims to provide information about types of SIM cards in Singapore, mobile network operators in Singapore as well as how to roam to Vietnam.

1. Types of SIM cards

Just like in Vietnam, in Singapore there are two main types of phone SIM cards: prepaid and postpaid.

Both types have the same features (domestic/international calling, roaming, sending and receiving messages...) only the payment method for using the service is different.

• For prepaid SIMs, you need to top up to use calling functions.
• For postpaid SIMs, customers will pay a usage fee at the end of each month, plus a minimum monthly subscription fee, regardless of whether they use the calling service or not.

The procedure for buying a prepaid SIM card for foreigners is very simple, just bring your Passport or work visa (Employment Pass, S-Pass...) to the service stores that sell it and you can buy it. Meanwhile, postpaid SIM cards are only for foreigners with valid visas and valid residence in Singapore for 6 months or more. In other words, only Singapore citizens, permanent residents and foreigners with work visas here can buy and use postpaid SIM cards.

In short, foreigners who only stay in Singapore from a few days to 6 months should use a prepaid SIM card.

For customers who are Singaporean business owners but operate a company in Vietnam, using a prepaid SIM package and roaming to Vietnam is the most optimal.

2. Rates

Phone rates for prepaid SIM cards in Singapore

a. Domestic calls

Typical call rates in Singapore range from 15 - 16 SGD cents/1 minute during the day and 8 SGD cents/1 minute at night.

The cost of sending a text message to all three carriers is 5 SGD cents.

One thing to note in Singapore is that the receiver also has to pay. Therefore, if the customer anticipates a large number of incoming calls, the best advice would be to use the "unlimited FREE incoming calls service" and accept paying a fixed daily fee.

b. International calls

To call internationally, customers need to press: Access code + Country code + Area Code + Telephone..

Each network operator will have its own international access code (International Direct Dialing (IDD) access codes) with two packages: high quality (high cost) and low cost package.

Both Singapore carriers offer attractive international calling plans for prepaid SIM card users. Customers can make international calls to a number of countries at domestic rates.

3. How to buy and use

How to buy and use prepaid sim in Singapore

Step 1: Choose a network operator in Singapore. Network operators in Singapore all provide prepaid SIM service packages. For advice on choosing a network operator as well as how to buy a SIM, please contact GLA to receive the best support.

Step 2: Buy a phone SIM. Prepaid SIM cards in Singapore can be purchased at:

Phone SIM card retail points in Singapore

• 7-eleven store

• Cheers convenience stores in Singapore

• Singapore Post

• Changi Airport

Since 2006, the Singapore Government has issued a prepaid SIM registration ordinance. This means that every prepaid SIM in Singapore must be registered by an individual. Therefore, as stated above, foreigners and tourists need to present their Passport to purchase these prepaid SIMs.

Prepaid SIM accounts are valid for 6 months. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain the account regularly.

4. Support Services

Having a Singapore phone number will greatly assist Singapore companies in:

- Interact, respond, reflect, and take care of domestic customers and partners quickly and promptly. In fact, having a website with a Singapore national domain name (.com.sg or .sg), a Singapore email and phone number for contact will greatly increase prestige and reliability in the eyes of international partners and customers, especially customers in the Singapore market. This is especially true for businesses doing e-commerce and buying and selling goods online in the Singapore market.

- Furthermore, instead of using the expensive office building's landline phone number, using a prepaid mobile phone number and roaming to Vietnam will be both a much more economical and effective solution.

5. How will GLA support customers?

1. Support buying phone sim in Singapore and sending to customers.

2. Instructions for customers to register for roaming to Vietnam.

3. Support customers to top up to maintain their SIM account. Please note that prepaid SIMs will expire after 6 months, so it is necessary to maintain the account and top up regularly. GLA will support customers to top up online without having to go to Singapore.

In addition to supporting businesses in purchasing Singapore SIM cards and registering roaming phone numbers to Vietnam, GLA also provides businesses with the service of registering to use SIM cards in many countries around the world and forwarding calls to the business's Vietnamese phone number. 

6. Frequently asked questions about using Singapore phone number?

Highlights

• There are two main types of SIM cards: prepaid and postpaid. Prepaid SIM cards are easier for foreigners to buy, requiring only a passport, while postpaid SIM cards require a work visa and a residence permit of 6 months or more.
• Local calls cost between SGD 8-16 cents per minute, text messages cost SGD 5 cents. The recipient is also charged. International calling packages are available at discounted rates.
• You can buy it at 7-Eleven, Cheers, post offices or Changi Airport. You need to register your identity when buying. Prepaid SIM is valid for 6 months, need to top up regularly.
•  GLA will support you to buy Singapore sim, register for roaming to Vietnam, top up to maintain your account, and provide sim services in many countries with call forwarding to Vietnam.