Cheapest way to call Philippines from Singapore

This post is inspired by the lady who was confused by the numerous calling cards that were presented to her by the cashier at the supermarket. I overheard that she was trying to get a card for her maid to call Philippines and as this was her first maid, she didn't know which was the best option. And to make things worse, there were too many to choose from! Thus, she asked the cashier who was equally confused!

Hence, I decided to do some research and perhaps this lady will somehow stumble upon this post and help her with her decision next time, and not hold up the queue. : )

Also, I hope more employers will make the right choice when it comes to choosing the cheapest way to call Philippines from Singapore.

Generally, you can call Philippines from Singapore via 5 methods:
1) Using a calling card (You will need a land line/mobile line/public phone to use a calling card)
2) Using a prepaid sim card
3) Using a postpaid sim card (Most expensive, same IDD rates as using land lines)
4) Using a land line (2nd most expensive, same IDD rates as using postpaid sim card)
5) Using Skype

The cheapest and most hassle-free way to call Philippines from Singapore is in fact the M1 M Card, a pre-paid card.

Image credit: M1 Singapore

Image credit: M1 Singapore

You can get the M1 M Card from:

• M1 Shops
• M1 Exclusive Distributors
• Appointed Authorised Money Changers
• Appointed Authorised Retailers
• Chain Stores
  • 7-Eleven stores and 7-Eleven@Shell stores
  • Cheers Convenience Stores and Cheers Convenience Stores at Esso/Mobile
  • Fairprice Xpress
  • Singpost

My method of comparison between the different pre-paid sim cards is by comparing the charges for a weekly 30-minute call to Philippines from Singapore at the times which the telcos offered the best IDD rate.

I found that using the M1 M Card offers the cheapest way to call Philippines from Singapore as it will cost you $10.64/month for a weekly 30-min call to Philippines. However, you will need to make the calls on Saturdays to enjoy the promotional rates. And you will need a cheap mobile phone.

I ignored the comparison of different top-up cards offered by the telcos with different additional values/perks as I find that the 3 telcos offered almost the same thing for the same amount paid. Hence, the comparison is negligible and insignificant.

Here you go, a compilation of the rates for calling Philippines from Singapore.

Comparison of telco charges to call Philippines from Singapore

From my research, I found that using a postpaid/land line and IDD to call overseas will deplete your savings faster than it grows! Unless you feel rich and have money to burn, avoid using postpaid/land line and IDD to call overseas. Since this is going to be frequent, get the cheapest and most efficient method!

Calling cards, though popular among maids, are definitely not the cheapest way to call Philippines from Singapore. Based on my research, there are several disadvantages to using a calling card:

1) Connection can be very bad with poor reception
2) Calls can drop sometimes and you will have to pay for the connection charge again.

However, the advantage is you do not need to have a mobile phone (a rule which some employer might impose). All you need is either the land line or a public phone. Of course, local rates will apply.

Skype has quite a number of disadvantages as well:

1) You will need to lend your mobile phone to your maid for 30 minutes if your maid does not have a smart phone.
2) You will need WIFI
3) The rates will fluctuate as you need to buy credits in USD
4) Calls can drop if WIFI signal is not consistent and you will have to pay for connection charge again.

So now you know:

The best and cheapest way to call Philippines from Singapore is by using the M1 M Card (Pre-paid)!



Tags: cheapest, call, Philippines, Singapore, Singtel, M1, Starhub, HomeConnect, Hello!, M Card, land line, IDD, pre-paid, post-paid, calling card, Skype, IDD 019, IDD 018, IDD 1818