ISPs step up upgrade of networks to offer 10Gbps broadband

They tap grant to provide the services to at least 500,000 homes by 2028

- Osmond Chia

All major internet service providers (ISPs) in Singapore have accelerated plans to upgrade their networks to offer 10 gigabits per second (Gbps) fixed broadband services to at least half a million homes by 2028.

This comes after the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) announced a $100 million grant in February to defray the cost of system upgrades to support an expected surge in internet-linked home appliances and data-intensive apps, like telemedicine and artificial intelligence ones, in the next few years.

The ISPs are Singtel, StarHub, M1, ViewQwest and MyRepublic - all of which said they have applied for the grant, which would allow them to offer 10Gbps services at more competitive prices.

The latest to roll out 10Gbps broadband plans targeting home users is ViewQwest. Available since July 15, its new 10Gbps home broadband plan costs $44.98 per month - the lowest in Singapore today - during its 10-month promotional window. After that, the price will rise to $68.98 for the remainder of the two-year contract.

A spokeswoman for IMDA said: "Consumers can expect more competitive, higher-speed service offers with new home networking equipment like routers."