Quick Answer: Singtel vs StarHub
Singtel is Singapore’s largest telecom with 4.5 million subscribers and 43 percent broadband market share. Fiber plans range from 3 Gbps at SGD 39.90 to 10 Gbps at SGD 65.90 per month with WiFi 7 routers included.
StarHub is Singapore’s second-largest provider with 2 million customers and 30 percent mobile market share. Fiber plans start at SGD 39.91 for 3 Gbps and reach SGD 59.34 for 10 Gbps with WiFi 7 routers included.
Quick verdict: StarHub for lower pricing and customer satisfaction. Singtel for the largest network and global peering.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Both providers operate on Singapore’s shared NetLink Trust fiber infrastructure. The table below compares their key features and pricing.
| Feature | Singtel | StarHub |
|---|---|---|
| Subscribers | 4.5M+ | 2M+ |
| Market Share (Broadband) | 43% (#1) | ~30% (#2) |
| Founded | 1879 | 1998 |
| Parent Company | Temasek Holdings | StarHub Ltd |
| Fiber 3 Gbps Price | SGD 39.90/month | SGD 39.91/month |
| Fiber 5 Gbps Price | SGD 49.90/month | SGD 45.00/month |
| Fiber 10 Gbps Price | SGD 65.90/month | SGD 59.34/month |
| Max Fiber Speed | 10 Gbps symmetrical | 10 Gbps symmetrical |
| WiFi 7 Router | Included (all plans) | Included (all plans) |
| 5G Mobile | From SGD 35/month | From SGD 22/month |
| Contract Length | 24 months | 24 months |
| ONT Fee | SGD 61.04 | SGD 61.04 |
Test Your Singtel Speed | Test Your StarHub Speed
Speed Comparison
Fiber Broadband Speed
Both Singtel and StarHub deliver symmetrical fiber speeds through the same NetLink Trust infrastructure. Real-world performance depends on router quality, ethernet cable rating, and device capabilities.
Singtel Fiber Speeds:
- 3 Gbps plan: Up to 3,000 Mbps download and upload
- 5 Gbps plan: Up to 5,000 Mbps download and upload
- 10 Gbps plan: Up to 10,000 Mbps download and upload
StarHub Fiber Speeds:
- UltraSpeed 3 Gbps: Up to 3,000 Mbps download and upload
- UltraSpeed 5 Gbps: Up to 5,000 Mbps download and upload
- UltraSpeed 10 Gbps: Up to 10,000 Mbps download and upload
StarHub upload speeds are approximately 7 percent faster than Singtel based on independent measurements.
5G Mobile Speed
Singtel 5G:
- Download: 300-800 Mbps in central areas
- Upload: 40-120 Mbps
- Latency: 10-20ms
StarHub 5G:
- Download: 300-700 Mbps in central areas
- Upload: 40-120 Mbps
- Latency: 10-20ms
Both networks deliver strong 5G performance across Singapore. Singtel has a slight edge in peak 5G download speeds in the CBD.
Run Speed Test Now to check your actual connection speed.
Coverage Comparison
Fiber Coverage
Both Singtel and StarHub use the NetLink Trust national fiber network. Every residential address in Singapore has access to fiber through either provider. There is no coverage difference for fiber broadband.
5G Coverage
Both operators have deployed 5G Standalone networks across Singapore with island-wide coverage in residential and commercial areas. Dense 5G cell sites cover the CBD, HDB heartlands, and major commercial zones.
International Connectivity
Singtel manages 17 subsea cable systems landing in Singapore and operates the Singtel Internet Exchange (STiX). This gives Singtel an advantage for users who need low-latency connections to international servers.
StarHub provides standard international routing through third-party peering arrangements.
Winner: Identical for domestic coverage. Singtel for international connectivity.
Pricing Comparison
All prices are in Singapore Dollars (SGD) with GST included. Both providers require 24-month contracts and charge a SGD 61.04 NetLink Trust upfront fee.
Fiber Broadband Pricing
| Plan | Singtel | StarHub | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Gbps | SGD 39.90/month | SGD 39.91/month | SGD 0.01 (same) |
| 5 Gbps | SGD 49.90/month | SGD 45.00/month | SGD 4.90 (StarHub cheaper) |
| 10 Gbps | SGD 65.90/month | SGD 59.34/month | SGD 6.56 (StarHub cheaper) |
StarHub saves SGD 117.60 over 24 months on the 5 Gbps plan and SGD 157.44 on the 10 Gbps plan.
5G Mobile Pricing
| Feature | Singtel | StarHub |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest 5G Plan | Lite 5G - SGD 35/month (300 GB) | 5G Lite - SGD 22/month (150 GB) |
| Unlimited 5G Data | Core - SGD 40/month | Core - SGD 38/month |
| Premium 5G | Ultra - SGD 80/month | Max - SGD 78/month |
StarHub offers cheaper entry-level 5G mobile pricing. The 5G Senior plan at SGD 12 per month is available for Singaporeans aged 60 and above.
Pros and Cons
Singtel Advantages
- Largest telecom in Singapore with 43 percent broadband market share
- Manages 17 subsea cables for strong international connectivity
- WiFi 7 tri-band and mesh router options included
- Singtel Internet Exchange (STiX) for direct content provider peering
- Trialing 50 Gbps fiber technology for future upgrades
- Group network reaching 800 million mobile subscribers globally
- 12 months Broadband Protect security software included
Singtel Disadvantages
- Higher fiber pricing than StarHub at 5 Gbps and 10 Gbps tiers
- Upload speeds measured approximately 7 percent slower
- Customer service reviews mention inconsistent support quality
- 24-month contract required with no flexible options
StarHub Advantages
- Lower fiber pricing at 5 Gbps and 10 Gbps tiers
- Highest customer satisfaction for mobile and TV per CSISG 2022
- First globally to offer nationwide 100 Mbps broadband in 2006
- First in Singapore to launch XGS-PON 10 Gbps in February 2023
- WiFi 7 router included with all fiber plans
- Acquired MyRepublic broadband business for expanded customer base
- CDP Climate Change ‘A’ rating in 2025
StarHub Disadvantages
- Smaller market share and subscriber base than Singtel
- Low single-digit revenue growth limits some investment areas
- Cable TV service being phased out in favor of streaming
- 24-month contract required with early termination charges
Which Should You Choose?
The table below summarizes recommendations based on common use cases in Singapore.
| Use Case | Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Budget Fiber | StarHub | SGD 6.56 cheaper per month on 10 Gbps |
| Premium Features | Singtel | WiFi 7 mesh, Broadband Protect, global peering |
| Best Customer Service | StarHub | Higher satisfaction scores in CSISG survey |
| International Gaming | Singtel | 17 subsea cables and STiX exchange reduce latency |
| Cheapest 5G Mobile | StarHub | 5G Lite from SGD 22 vs Singtel Lite at SGD 35 |
| Seniors | StarHub | SGD 12/month 5G Senior plan available |
| Multi-Service Bundle | Singtel | Fiber, mobile, and entertainment integration |
| Streaming Household | StarHub | Entertainment bundles and content partnerships |
How to Run a Fair Speed Test
To compare Singtel and StarHub accurately, test under the same conditions. Use the same device, the same room, and the same connection method for each test run.
Quick test steps:
- Connect via ethernet cable directly to the router.
- Use a Cat 6a or Cat 7 cable for multi-gig speeds.
- Close all other applications and devices using bandwidth.
- Run 3 tests during off-peak hours and 3 during peak hours (7 PM to 11 PM).
- Compare download, upload, and latency together.
Factors that affect results:
- WiFi vs ethernet connection (WiFi is always slower than wired)
- Device network adapter speed (must support multi-gig for 10 Gbps plans)
- Router placement and interference from walls
- Time of day and network congestion
- Ethernet cable rating (Cat 5e caps at 1 Gbps)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Singtel or StarHub faster for fiber?
Both deliver the same maximum speeds of 10 Gbps symmetrical on fiber. StarHub upload speeds are approximately 7 percent faster based on independent testing. For most users the speed difference is minimal since both use the same NetLink Trust fiber infrastructure.
How much can I save with StarHub over Singtel?
On the 10 Gbps fiber plan, StarHub saves SGD 6.56 per month or SGD 157.44 over a 24-month contract. On the 5 Gbps plan, StarHub saves SGD 4.90 per month or SGD 117.60 over 24 months. The 3 Gbps plans are virtually identical at SGD 39.90 vs SGD 39.91.
Do Singtel and StarHub use the same fiber network?
Yes. Both providers deliver fiber broadband through the NetLink Trust national fiber network. The physical fiber connection to your home is the same regardless of which provider you choose. Differences come from router quality, backhaul, and peering arrangements.
Which has better 5G in Singapore?
Both Singtel and StarHub operate mature 5G Standalone networks with island-wide coverage. Performance is similar in most areas of Singapore. Singtel has slightly higher peak download speeds in central Singapore. StarHub has dense 5G coverage in the CBD and residential areas.
Can I switch from Singtel to StarHub or vice versa?
Yes. You can switch providers while keeping the same fiber connection through NetLink Trust. Contact the new provider to arrange the switch. The process typically takes 3-5 business days. Early termination charges may apply if you are still within your 24-month contract.
Which provider includes a better router?
Both include WiFi 7 routers with their fiber plans at no extra cost. Singtel offers the TP-Link HB810 BE22000 with the 10 Gbps plan and mesh options with the 5 Gbps Enhanced Mesh plan. StarHub provides WiFi 7 routers across all tiers. Both routers support tri-band WiFi 7 for whole-home coverage.
Is there a contract-free option?
Neither Singtel nor StarHub offers contract-free fiber broadband. Both require 24-month commitments with early termination charges. For contract-free fiber, consider SIMBA or check M1 for shorter-term options.
Summary
Singtel and StarHub are Singapore’s two largest telecoms, both offering fiber speeds up to 10 Gbps on the same NetLink Trust network. Singtel holds 43 percent broadband market share and provides stronger international connectivity through 17 subsea cables and the STiX internet exchange. StarHub offers lower pricing at the 5 Gbps and 10 Gbps tiers and scores higher in customer satisfaction surveys.
For most households in Singapore, the choice comes down to pricing versus premium features. StarHub saves SGD 6.56 per month on 10 Gbps fiber and offers cheaper 5G mobile plans starting at SGD 22. Singtel provides better international peering, WiFi 7 mesh options, and included security software.
Test your current connection to see what speeds you actually receive. Run the test at different times of day to understand your peak-hour performance before deciding whether to switch.
Test your speed: Singtel Speed Test | StarHub Speed Test
Last Updated: February 12, 2026 Data Sources: Singtel official website, StarHub official website, MoneySmart Singapore, CSISG 2022 survey