Best mobile plan IDD call rates

By Nathan Lawrence

Last updated 12 April 2023

Best mobile plan IDD call rates in Singapore

Best mobile plan IDD call rates overall: CMLink

Best cheap mobile plan IDD call rates: Simba (TPG)

Best mobile plan IDD call rates to South-East Asia: Gomo

Best mobile plan IDD call rates to Asia-Pacific: Gomo

Best mobile plan IDD call rates to Europe: Circles.Life

Best mobile plan IDD call rates to the USA: MyRepublic

International direct dial (IDD) call rates are what most mobile providers in Singapore use to call overseas. Mobile providers may divide rates into on-peak and off-peak times, plus rates for mobiles and landlines. Other telcos offer IDD packs for cheaper overall rates. Note that you may be charged a connection fee outside of a per-minute IDD call rate. Before we get into the best mobile plans for IDD call rates, here’s a look at popular mobile plans in Singapore.

#1	MyRepublic Editor's Pick	MyRepublic Editor's Pick Saver Plan 188GB data 200 Minutes 100 Messages Deal: Limited Time: 188GB for the first 3 mths at $7.99 ($8.71 with GST) for the first 15,000 customers valid for new number sign-ups or port-ins $7.99/mth Min. cost $7.99 Go	$7.99/mth Min. cost $7.99	Go
#2	SIMBA Editor's Pick	SIMBA Editor's Pick 200GB SIM Only 200GB data Unlimited National Calls 100 Messages $12 Min. cost $12 Go	$12 Min. cost $12	Go
#3	SIMBA	SIMBA 100GB SIM Only 100GB data Unlimited National Calls 30 Messages $10 Min. cost $10 Go	$10 Min. cost $10	Go
#4	GOMO	GOMO 4G Saver SIM Only 20GB data 100 Minutes 100 Messages Deal: $7.18/mth for 3 mths, $10.18/mth thereafter + Free Asia Pack roaming data. Use code 4GSAVERLITE $10.18 Min. cost $10.18 Go	$10.18 Min. cost $10.18	Go
#5	ZYM Mobile	ZYM Mobile 100GB Roam Saver SIM Only 100GB data 300 Minutes 100 Messages Deal: Get $90 eVoucher for Samsung Tab + $50 eVoucher for Samsung Accessories + 1x chance to win a free Samsung Tab A9+ WIFI $7.77 Min. cost $7.77 Go	$7.77 Min. cost $7.77	Go
#6	redONE	redONE Best 10 200GB data 500 Minutes 200 Messages $10.90 Min. cost $10.90 Go	$10.90 Min. cost $10.90	Go

How we compare IDD call rates

The mobile providers we track in our database offer IDD call rates to hundreds of destinations. Sometimes these rates are separated into higher premium IDD call rates or cheaper versions. We take the cheapest available rate into account, with a preference for mobile rates instead of landline (where available). We used the following regional sample countries to determine our category winners (overall and cheap winners combine all of these nations):

South-East Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand
Asia-Pacific: Australia, China, India
Europe: Germany, France, UK
USA: Canada, Mexico, USA

Best mobile plan IDD call rates overall

150GB SIM Only

150GB data
300 Minutes
300 Messages
Deal: Free 80GB bonus for 12 mths + Free 5G access

$21

Min. cost $21

$21

Min. cost $21

We advise starting comparisons for the best overseas calls with CMLink. Why? All CMLink plans include between 100 and 500 minutes of calls to China and Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia and the USA. Note that IDD minutes are deducted from local minutes. Still, it’s a great way to stay in touch with people in those particular countries without having to pay extra. CMLink has competitive rates for most parts of the world but is pricier for calls to the UK, France and Mexico. The CMLink plan highlighted above is a good mix of local data, minutes SMSes and included international calls. You may also want to compare CMLink plans with any Giga mobile plan, using the $5 IDD add-on pack for cheap calls to more than 230 countries.

Also consider the following:

#1	MyRepublic Editor's Pick	MyRepublic Editor's Pick Saver Plan 188GB data 200 Minutes 100 Messages Deal: Limited Time: 188GB for the first 3 mths at $7.99 ($8.71 with GST) for the first 15,000 customers valid for new number sign-ups or port-ins $7.99/mth Min. cost $7.99 Go	$7.99/mth Min. cost $7.99	Go
#2	SIMBA Editor's Pick	SIMBA Editor's Pick 200GB SIM Only 200GB data Unlimited National Calls 100 Messages $12 Min. cost $12 Go	$12 Min. cost $12	Go
#3	redONE	redONE Best 10 200GB data 500 Minutes 200 Messages $10.90 Min. cost $10.90 Go	$10.90 Min. cost $10.90	Go
#4	Singtel Editor's Pick	Singtel Editor's Pick 5G $35 Ultimate Data Plan Unlimited data 1000 Minutes 500 Messages Deal: hi!App Exclusive: get 120GB with top-up on hi!App $35 Per 28 Day Renewal Go	$35 Per 28 Day Renewal	Go
#5	StarHub	StarHub Medium 5G SIM Only 150GB data 1000 Minutes 500 Messages $22 Min. cost $22 Go	$22 Min. cost $22	Go
#6	GOMO	GOMO 5G Value SIM Only 300GB data 800 Minutes 800 Messages Deal: $16.30 for the first month + 6GB roaming data for selected countries. Use code 5GGMOVALUE1111 $18.33 Min. cost $18.33 Go	$18.33 Min. cost $18.33	Go

Best cheap Simba (TPG Telecom) mobile plan

100GB SIM Only

100GB data
Unlimited National Calls
30 Messages

$10

Min. cost $10

$10

Min. cost $10

Those wary of monthly costs should consider the Simba 50GB SIM Only plan. It costs $10 every 30 days and comes with 50GB of data, 300 minutes of outgoing calls and 30 outbound SMSes. At the time of review, this plan also included 50GB of bonus data.

Also consider the following:

#1	MyRepublic Editor's Pick	MyRepublic Editor's Pick Saver Plan 188GB data 200 Minutes 100 Messages Deal: Limited Time: 188GB for the first 3 mths at $7.99 ($8.71 with GST) for the first 15,000 customers valid for new number sign-ups or port-ins $7.99/mth Min. cost $7.99 Go	$7.99/mth Min. cost $7.99	Go
#2	redONE	redONE Best 10 200GB data 500 Minutes 200 Messages $10.90 Min. cost $10.90 Go	$10.90 Min. cost $10.90	Go
#3	Singtel Editor's Pick	Singtel Editor's Pick 5G $35 Ultimate Data Plan Unlimited data 1000 Minutes 500 Messages Deal: hi!App Exclusive: get 120GB with top-up on hi!App $35 Per 28 Day Renewal Go	$35 Per 28 Day Renewal	Go
#4	StarHub	StarHub Medium 5G SIM Only 150GB data 1000 Minutes 500 Messages $22 Min. cost $22 Go	$22 Min. cost $22	Go
#5	GOMO	GOMO 5G Value SIM Only 300GB data 800 Minutes 800 Messages Deal: $16.30 for the first month + 6GB roaming data for selected countries. Use code 5GGMOVALUE1111 $18.33 Min. cost $18.33 Go	$18.33 Min. cost $18.33	Go
#6	Giga	Giga 400GB SIM Only 400GB data 1000 Minutes 1000 Messages $20.37 Min. cost $20.37 Go	$20.37 Min. cost $20.37	Go

Best cheap mobile plan IDD call rates

100GB SIM Only

100GB data
Unlimited National Calls
30 Messages

$10

Min. cost $10

$10

Min. cost $10

If you want cheap IDD call rates, start your comparisons with Simba (formerly TPG Telecom) mobile plans. The Simba 80GB SIM Only mobile plan comes with 300 IDD minutes to selected countries, plus consistently low rates for our sample countries. It’s worth noting that Simba doesn’t offer IDD call rates for Mexico.

Also consider the following:

#1	MyRepublic Editor's Pick	MyRepublic Editor's Pick Saver Plan 188GB data 200 Minutes 100 Messages Deal: Limited Time: 188GB for the first 3 mths at $7.99 ($8.71 with GST) for the first 15,000 customers valid for new number sign-ups or port-ins $7.99/mth Min. cost $7.99 Go	$7.99/mth Min. cost $7.99	Go
#2	redONE	redONE Best 10 200GB data 500 Minutes 200 Messages $10.90 Min. cost $10.90 Go	$10.90 Min. cost $10.90	Go
#3	Singtel Editor's Pick	Singtel Editor's Pick 5G $35 Ultimate Data Plan Unlimited data 1000 Minutes 500 Messages Deal: hi!App Exclusive: get 120GB with top-up on hi!App $35 Per 28 Day Renewal Go	$35 Per 28 Day Renewal	Go
#4	StarHub	StarHub Medium 5G SIM Only 150GB data 1000 Minutes 500 Messages $22 Min. cost $22 Go	$22 Min. cost $22	Go
#5	GOMO	GOMO 5G Value SIM Only 300GB data 800 Minutes 800 Messages Deal: $16.30 for the first month + 6GB roaming data for selected countries. Use code 5GGMOVALUE1111 $18.33 Min. cost $18.33 Go	$18.33 Min. cost $18.33	Go
#6	Giga	Giga 400GB SIM Only 400GB data 1000 Minutes 1000 Messages $20.37 Min. cost $20.37 Go	$20.37 Min. cost $20.37	Go

Best mobile plan IDD call rates to South-East Asia

5G Value SIM Only

300GB data
800 Minutes
800 Messages
Deal: $16.30 for the first month + 6GB roaming data for selected countries. Use code 5GGMOVALUE1111

$18.33

Min. cost $18.33

$18.33

Min. cost $18.33

The cheapest calls to most global regions come from Simba (TPG), but we also recommend using Gomo as a worthy comparison. Start with the Gomo SIM Only 5G plan above, which has great speeds at home and competitive IDD call rates for countries in South-East Asia, including Malaysia. MyRepublic also offers competitive IDD call rates for South-East Asian countries.

Also consider the following:

#1	SIMBA Editor's Pick	SIMBA Editor's Pick 200GB SIM Only 200GB data Unlimited National Calls 100 Messages $12 Min. cost $12 Go	$12 Min. cost $12	Go
#2	Singtel Editor's Pick	Singtel Editor's Pick 5G $35 Ultimate Data Plan Unlimited data 1000 Minutes 500 Messages Deal: hi!App Exclusive: get 120GB with top-up on hi!App $35 Per 28 Day Renewal Go	$35 Per 28 Day Renewal	Go
#3	StarHub	StarHub Medium 5G SIM Only 150GB data 1000 Minutes 500 Messages $22 Min. cost $22 Go	$22 Min. cost $22	Go
#4	MyRepublic Editor's Pick	MyRepublic Editor's Pick 5G Ultimate Unlimited data 1500 Minutes 1500 Messages Deal: $24.95/mth for 6 mths (U.P $29.95) + free 5GB Data Roaming/mth for 6 mths $24.95/mth Min. cost $24.95 Go	$24.95/mth Min. cost $24.95	Go
#5	Giga	Giga 400GB SIM Only 400GB data 1000 Minutes 1000 Messages $20.37 Min. cost $20.37 Go	$20.37 Min. cost $20.37	Go
#6	Circles.Life	Circles.Life 500GB SIM Only 5G 500GB data 300 Minutes 25 Messages Deal: Free 2GB Monthly Roaming across 8 popular countries $18 Min. cost $18 Go	$18 Min. cost $18	Go

Best mobile plan IDD call rates to Asia-Pacific

4G Plus SIM Only

250GB data
500 Minutes
500 Messages
Deal: $12/mth for 3 months, $15/mth thereafter + 1GB roaming data. Use code 4GPLUSLITE

$15

Min. cost $15

$15

Min. cost $15

Simba (TPG) is once again a great place to start for IDD call rates to countries in South-East Asia. But because it’s the winner of the best cheap IDD call rates category, we recommend comparing Simba plans with Gomo again. The example Gomo plan above is the 4G Value Plan, which offers plenty of data at home for a reasonable price.

Also consider the following:

#1	MyRepublic Editor's Pick	MyRepublic Editor's Pick Saver Plan 188GB data 200 Minutes 100 Messages Deal: Limited Time: 188GB for the first 3 mths at $7.99 ($8.71 with GST) for the first 15,000 customers valid for new number sign-ups or port-ins $7.99/mth Min. cost $7.99 Go	$7.99/mth Min. cost $7.99	Go
#2	SIMBA Editor's Pick	SIMBA Editor's Pick 200GB SIM Only 200GB data Unlimited National Calls 100 Messages $12 Min. cost $12 Go	$12 Min. cost $12	Go
#3	redONE	redONE Best 10 200GB data 500 Minutes 200 Messages $10.90 Min. cost $10.90 Go	$10.90 Min. cost $10.90	Go
#4	Singtel Editor's Pick	Singtel Editor's Pick 5G $35 Ultimate Data Plan Unlimited data 1000 Minutes 500 Messages Deal: hi!App Exclusive: get 120GB with top-up on hi!App $35 Per 28 Day Renewal Go	$35 Per 28 Day Renewal	Go
#5	StarHub	StarHub Medium 5G SIM Only 150GB data 1000 Minutes 500 Messages $22 Min. cost $22 Go	$22 Min. cost $22	Go
#6	Giga	Giga 400GB SIM Only 400GB data 1000 Minutes 1000 Messages $20.37 Min. cost $20.37 Go	$20.37 Min. cost $20.37	Go

Best mobile plan IDD call rates to Europe

20GB SIM Only 4G

20GB data
300 Minutes
25 Messages

$12

Min. cost $12

$12

Min. cost $12

We recommend starting comparisons for IDD call rates to European countries with Circles.Life. The example Circles.Life mobile plan above is a good price for a decent amount of local data. IDD call rates to the UK and France are particularly competitive. Alternatively, consider a mobile plan from Gomo, Singtel, Vivifi or Zero1 for decent IDD call rates to Europe.

Also consider the following:

#1	MyRepublic Editor's Pick	MyRepublic Editor's Pick Saver Plan 188GB data 200 Minutes 100 Messages Deal: Limited Time: 188GB for the first 3 mths at $7.99 ($8.71 with GST) for the first 15,000 customers valid for new number sign-ups or port-ins $7.99/mth Min. cost $7.99 Go	$7.99/mth Min. cost $7.99	Go
#2	SIMBA Editor's Pick	SIMBA Editor's Pick 200GB SIM Only 200GB data Unlimited National Calls 100 Messages $12 Min. cost $12 Go	$12 Min. cost $12	Go
#3	GOMO	GOMO 4G Saver SIM Only 20GB data 100 Minutes 100 Messages Deal: $7.18/mth for 3 mths, $10.18/mth thereafter + Free Asia Pack roaming data. Use code 4GSAVERLITE $10.18 Min. cost $10.18 Go	$10.18 Min. cost $10.18	Go
#4	redONE	redONE Best 10 200GB data 500 Minutes 200 Messages $10.90 Min. cost $10.90 Go	$10.90 Min. cost $10.90	Go
#5	Singtel Editor's Pick	Singtel Editor's Pick 5G $35 Ultimate Data Plan Unlimited data 1000 Minutes 500 Messages Deal: hi!App Exclusive: get 120GB with top-up on hi!App $35 Per 28 Day Renewal Go	$35 Per 28 Day Renewal	Go
#6	Giga	Giga 20GB SIM Only 20GB data 300 Minutes 300 Messages $10.19 Min. cost $10.19 Go	$10.19 Min. cost $10.19	Go

Best mobile plan IDD call rates to the USA

Saver Plan

188GB data
200 Minutes
100 Messages
Deal: Limited Time: 188GB for the first 3 mths at $7.99 ($8.71 with GST) for the first 15,000 customers valid for new number sign-ups or port-ins

$7.99/mth

Min. cost $7.99

$7.99/mth

Min. cost $7.99

MyRepublic is where we advise starting IDD call rate comparisons for the USA and its surrounding countries. Start with the MyRepublic 60GB Core Plan, which comes with 60GB of max-speed local data before managed speeds. MyRepublic offers competitive rates for the USA, Canada and Mexico. Alternatively, consider Simba (TPG), CMLink, Vivifi or Zero1.

Also consider the following:

#1	SIMBA Editor's Pick	SIMBA Editor's Pick 200GB SIM Only 200GB data Unlimited National Calls 100 Messages $12 Min. cost $12 Go	$12 Min. cost $12	Go
#2	redONE	redONE Best 10 200GB data 500 Minutes 200 Messages $10.90 Min. cost $10.90 Go	$10.90 Min. cost $10.90	Go
#3	Singtel Editor's Pick	Singtel Editor's Pick 5G $35 Ultimate Data Plan Unlimited data 1000 Minutes 500 Messages Deal: hi!App Exclusive: get 120GB with top-up on hi!App $35 Per 28 Day Renewal Go	$35 Per 28 Day Renewal	Go
#4	StarHub	StarHub Medium 5G SIM Only 150GB data 1000 Minutes 500 Messages $22 Min. cost $22 Go	$22 Min. cost $22	Go
#5	GOMO	GOMO 5G Value SIM Only 300GB data 800 Minutes 800 Messages Deal: $16.30 for the first month + 6GB roaming data for selected countries. Use code 5GGMOVALUE1111 $18.33 Min. cost $18.33 Go	$18.33 Min. cost $18.33	Go
#6	Giga	Giga 400GB SIM Only 400GB data 1000 Minutes 1000 Messages $20.37 Min. cost $20.37 Go	$20.37 Min. cost $20.37	Go

IDD call rates FAQs

Does Singtel have cheap IDD call rates?
For cheap Singtel call rates, opt for cheaper IDD V019 rates over premium IDD 001 rates. Singtel has competitive call rates to countries like France and Mexico.

Is it cheap to call Malaysia from Singapore with M1 IDD call rates?
It costs $0.70 per minute to call Malaysia from Singapore with an M1 mobile plan. The cheapest IDD call rates to Malaysia are from Simba (TPG), Gomo and CMLink.

Are StarHub IDD call rates to the USA competitive?
StarHub IDD call rates to the USA are $0.24 per minute, which is competitively priced but there are cheaper options from Simba (TPG), CMLink and RedOne. StarHub does offer better IDD call rates for surrounding countries like Canada and Mexico.