A Guide to Choosing Fibre Broadband Plans in Singapore

This was originally posted on Planner Bee.

In January 2024, digital reference library DataReportal revealed a striking statistic: around the world, internet users between the ages of 16 and 64 dedicate an average of 6 hours and 40 minutes daily to browsing the internet across any device.

That means those of us who live up to the age of 80 would have spent 17 years of our lives online, if we begin counting our usage from when we are 18.

Clearly, reliable internet connectivity is no longer just a nice-to-have. It has become almost a necessity for many aspects of modern life, from remote work and online education to entertainment streaming and staying connected with our loved ones both locally and abroad.

Read more: How to Become a Digital Nomad, Even With No Experience

With a wide variety of options available in the market, choosing the right fibre broadband plan can be a daunting task. From lightning-fast speeds to competitive pricing and bundled perks, each provider would naturally promise they are offering the best deal.

In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the intricacies of fibre broadband plans, highlighting some key considerations to help you make a more informed decision to see which plan is best suited for your home.

Factors to consider when selecting a broadband plan for your home

When it comes to broadband plans, selecting the appropriate bandwidth (Mbps/Gbps) and service provider tailored to your household’s requirements is essential, particularly given that many cost-effective plans often entail a 24-month commitment.

Before committing to a plan, the first step is to assess your household’s needs. Here are a few questions to help you evaluate:

• Do you reside in a big home with many devices?
• Do you predominantly work from home and are you required to attend many virtual calls?
• Do you or those who live with you spend a lot of time on Netflix or other streaming platforms?
• Do you have avid gamers in your household who demand low-latency connections for gaming?

On top of assessing your household’s Wi-Fi needs, you can also check how much bandwidth you’re currently using, via your existing router or a network analysis app, which are free to download on your app store. While faster speeds sound better on paper, you might not always need a 10Gbps broadband plan, especially if your usage is light.

In larger households, the impact of Wi-Fi lag caused by numerous devices concurrently connected to your router can be pretty obvious. Given the sheer amount of time we’re all online, a sub-par router is something none of us have time to deal with. You can also consider plans that come with good routers.

Finally, network security is a factor strongly worth considering. In today’s age, hackers abound and it would be wise to look for Wi-Fi providers that offer online security solutions for you as an add-on to your broadband plans, as an extra layer of protection.

Now that you’ve sorted out all your considerations, let’s explore some plans that are ideal for you!

Broadband plan recommendations for your needs

There are multiple broadband providers in Singapore who regularly hold promotional offers. It is recommended to check on the most updated prices and packages before you make your purchase.

1. If you are a light user or living on a budget

Not all of us require lightning fast speeds. If your bandwidth usage isn’t high, consider taking up lower cost options. SIMBA’s 2.5 Gbps broadband plan (no router) would be one of the cheapest in town, priced at S$20 per month, with the option of 3- or 12-month plans. While 2.5 Gbps may not sound as impressive as the 10 Gbps plans you have seen around, most households do not typically need that much bandwidth at once. 2.5 Gbps, or even 1 Gbps, should suffice.

2. If you prefer flexibility and low commitment

If you would like the freedom to terminate plans as and when you want, or simply can’t commit to a longer term contract, no contract plans are the perfect fit for you. Currently, MyRepublic’s 1 Gbps no contract plan goes for S$61.50 per month, while ViewQuest’s 1Gbps no contract plan goes for S$58.99 per month. The cheapest no contract plan goes to Starhub, which offers its 1Gbps no contract broadband plan at S$55.93 per month.

3. If you are an avid or serious gamer

For the gamers who require ultra fast, low latency broadband connections, fret not – there are broadband plans specially catered for your needs! Consider MyRepublic’s 24-month 2 x 1Gbps Gamer broadband plan (no router) at S$50.99 per month. ViewQuest also has a 1Gbps Raptor Gamer Plan (no router) going for S$54.99 a month, while its Raptor Gamer ASUS AX89X Plan starts from S$79.99 a month.

4. If you live in a multi-storey house

Be it an HDB maisonette or a Good Class Bungalow, there are plans to ensure that there are no dead Wi-Fi spots in your bigger-sized residence. Consider StarHub’s 24-month 10Gbps Broadband Plan with Mesh at S$69.95 per month, now available in Wi-Fi 7! Look out for bundles that come with multiple units to help extend Wi-Fi coverage throughout your home, ensuring everyone living in it can reap the benefits of a good broadband connection.

Read more: Understanding How Your Personal Data Can Be Used and How To Protect It

Installation fees and other miscellaneous costs

Broadband providers depend on Netlink Trust, which designs, builds, owns and operates the fibre network infrastructure that forms the foundation of Singapore’s Nationwide Broadband Network. Here is an overview of the installation charges.

Data taken from Netlink Trust is accurate at this point of writing. Charges may be subject to change without prior notice – do check with your provider on the latest.

There may also be additional costs for the router, though these are usually bundled into the monthly fees of each plan, along with the various freebies and promotions that providers usually have. Do check with your provider on the exact costs, and read all documents thoroughly before you sign on the dotted line to ensure that you are aware of any extra fees.

While we have summed up some of the plans available for your broadband needs, it is good to note that Wi-Fi technology is always changing, and there are multiple providers that offer new and exciting promotions regularly. It is still important to ensure you have the most updated information before you lock in your plans!