Options for getting an internet connection at home in Singapore

Singapore provides several good options for internet connectivity at home. It is one of the first countries to have a nation-wide high-speed broadband infrastructure as well as wide-spread wireless internet connectivity. As of May 2008, there were almost 4 million broadband internet subscriptions in Singapore which means almost everyone in the country.

This guide explains how to get an internet connection at home in Singapore. It will cover your choice of internet service providers and subscription plans as well as the steps you need to take to get you up and running with internet access in Singapore.

High-speed internet  access services in Singapore are provided using ADSL via phone line, cable model via cable TV line, and wireless via USB-based modem technologies.

There are 4 main Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Singapore: Singtel, Starhub, MobileOne (M1) and Pacnet (formerly Pacific Internet Ltd.) They offer different types of internet access and subscription plans both for home and for businesses. Aside from these ISPs the government has recently given license to two new players, iCell and Qmax to provide free WiFi hotspots in the city along with Singtel.

The internet service activation in Singapore can take from 1 to 10 days depending upon the service provider and how ready your home is for the selected internet service.

For you to be able to access the internet at home, you need to hook up with an ISP by subscribing to one of the internet subscription plans that they offer. All four Singapore ISPs offer similar subscription plans with competitive prices and features as discussed below.

Singtel Internet Services

Singtel provides 2 types of internet services: Singtel Magix and Singnet Broadband. They both use Asymetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) broadband connection in which fixed telephone lines are used for internet access. If you don't have a SingTel telephone line, the connection fee for Singtel fixed telephone line is S$53.50 and the subscription fee every quarter is S$26.75. Singtel gives discounts if you avail of Singnet Broadband, Singtel Mobile and myMio TV services in bundle.

Singtel Magix plans are time-based with 20 hours/month, 60 hours/month and unlimited access plans. Internet access has download speed from 512 kbps (kilobits per second) up to 2.5 Mbps (Mega bits per second). Singtel Magix is suitable for those who will not use the internet for long hours and don't often download large files. It is for single PC use only and not ideal for networking. 

The monthly subscription fee for Singtel Magix plans range from S$64.20 to S$128.40. Excess usage for 20 hours/month or 40 hours/month will charge you S$5.35 cents per minute. To learn more details and latest subscription prices, refer to Singtel Magix plans.

Singnet Broadband plans provide unlimited internet access with speeds from 1Mbps to 10Mbps. These plans also offer you free access to Singtel WiFi hotspots and free myMio TV services. 

As of this writing, Singtel offers promotion on the prices of its Singnet Broadband plans with the 1Mbps plan now as low as S$22.90.  To learn more about Singnet broadband plans including the latest prices, refer to SingTel Broadband Plans.

Activation and installation takes about 4-5 working days provided you have a phone line coming to your home. 

Starhub Internet Services

Starhub offers internet services through cable TV (Cable Broadband) and wireless USB modem (Mobile Broadband).

For Cable Broadband, make sure your home is cable -ready. Most of the modern housing buildings in Singapore have cable TV access point in the homes. Starhub Cable Broadband has 4 plans to choose from all of which provide unlimited internet access: MaxOnline Surflite, MaxOnline Express , MaxOnline Premium and MaxOnline Ultimate with 8 Mbps, 12 Mbps and 100 Mbps download speeds respectively. Except for MaxOnline Surflite, all other plans are ideal for home networking.

To use Starhub Cable Broadband internet service, you will need to buy a Cable Modem from Starhub that costs around S$120 to S$200. All Starhub plans come with Starhub Digital Voice phone service (along with a phone number) that allows you to make phone calls. Starhub does not charge for incoming or outgoing local calls except for your monthly internet service subscription fee.

Starhub Cable Broadband offers competitive prices with the 2Mbps and 100 Mbps having monthly subscription fees of S$29.96 and S$124.12 respectively. The S$124.12 is a good choice because it gives you whopping fast internet speed for a price that is as low as Singtel's unlimited 512 kbps plan.  For details on prices and latest offerings, refer to Starhub Cable Broadband Internet Plans.

Activation and self-installation can be completed in 1 working day provided your home is cable-ready and  you have purchased the cable modem. If you want Starhub to come and install the modem (a trivial task) for you, the appointment can take few days and there will be an additinal charge of about S$50.

Pacnet Internet Services

Pacnet provides both ADSL as well as Cable Modem based internet access services.

The ADSL plans offer speeds of 512kbps with unlimited free access. The Cable Modem internet service comes in 3 download speeds: 8 Mbps, 12 Mbps and 30 Mbps and offers time-based as well as unlimited access plans

One-time activation fee is S$42.75 for all Pacnet Plans. For Pacnet ADSL plans, you need Singtel fixed phone line subscription. For Pacnet cable plans, your home should be cable-ready and you will need to purchase a Cable Modem from them.

Pacnet provides a very low unlimited 512 kpbs plan at only S$24.56 as compared to Singtel's same service which is at S$64.20.  The prices for cable broadband plans are very similar to those offered by Starhub.  The 8Mbps unlimited plan, for example, is both S$59.92 for both Pacnet and Starhub.

For more details on pricing and current offerings from Pacnet, refer to:

• Pacnet ADSL Internet Plans
• Pacnet Cable Broadband Internet Plans

Activation and installation will take up to 7 days provided all the necessary hookup points are ready such as telephone line or cable line access points.

 M1 Broadband

M1 only offers internet access services through wireless USB modem. M1 offers 5 subscription plans: Broadband 1000 (1 Mbps), Broadband 2000 (2 Mbps), Broadband 3000 (3 Mbps) and 2 additional plans providing VOIP service that will enable you to make and receive phone calls. All access plans provide unlimited access time and free rental of the broadband devices.

As of July 2008, M1 offers a 50% discount on all of its subscription plans.  The unlimited 1 Mbps which has a regular price of S$34.65 is now only S$11.21. For latest prices and offerings, refer to M1 Broadband Internet Plans

Service is activated instantly once you have submitted your application and have received the USB modem from them.

How to Apply?

All ISPs in Singapore require you to submit a completed application form together with the following documents when you apply for any of their internet plans:

• Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents: Copy of Singapore NRIC
• Foreigners: Copy of Employment Pass/Work Permit/Student Pass/Social or Dependent Pass (at least 6 months validity) and copy of passport
• For wired internet access at home: copy of tenancy agreement or proof of purchase of the place

You can apply for an internet subscription plan by bringing all the necessary documents and visiting the respective ISP’s customer service center. For locations, refer to:

• SingTel Locations
• Starhub Locations
• Pacnet Locations
• M1 Locations

Helpful Hints

For your convenience, here are some helpful hints in getting an internet connection for you home in Singapore:

• Study your expected internet usage and decide whether you want to opt for a limited-usage or unlimited monthly access plan.
• Determine the choice of internet access:
  • Using USB based wireless modem for  internet access is a good choice if you want to use internet for personal usage on your laptop. You will be able to take the compact modem along with your laptop pretty much anywhere in Singapore and have high-speed internet access.
  • If you require the maximum speed, opt for cable modem solution. At present Starhub offers speeds of 100Mbps through their cable modem internet offering.
  • If you have just relocated and need multiple services at home such as cable TV, residential phone line and internet access, Starhub is the best choice as they can provide all three services through cable TV connection. Additionally, they can also provide you with your mobile phone services as well as USB wireless broadband internet access for your laptop. You can also setup a wireless internet access at home by hooking up a wireless router to your cable modem.
  • If you don't have cable TV access point, you can opt for ADSL line at home through one of the service providers. Most ADSL plans provide Ethernet modems but if you want to have a network at home, you need to buy wireless routers that are usually not included in the plans.
• Take your monthly budget into consideration. Review various subscription plans and opt for an internet access plan you can afford and fits your needs.
• Make sure your home is internet ready (phone line or cable connection) for the kind of internet access you are planning to have. For example, Pacnet ADSL internet connection requires that you have a Singtel fixed telephone line installed at your home. If you opt for Starhub cable broadband plan, check if your house is cable-ready although most houses in Singapore are cable-ready. If you choose to apply for an M1 plan, make sure your area receives strong broadband signal from M1. 

Other Related Topics

Singapore Branch | Singapore Subsidiary | Singapore Representative Office