Internet & Mobile Cost in Singapore is among the most affordable in the world, with home fibre broadband plans starting as low as SGD $28–$30 per month for speeds up to 3 Gbps, and SIM-only mobile plans available from just SGD $7–$10 per month. Singapore’s highly competitive telecom market driven by three major operators (Singtel, StarHub, M1) and over a dozen MVNOs keeps prices low while delivering world-class speeds averaging 164 Mbps on mobile and near-zero latency on fibre.
For tourists and expats, getting connected is equally simple and budget-friendly, with prepaid tourist SIMs starting from SGD $8 and eSIM options available from under $3. Singapore also offers free public WiFi through the Wireless@SG network at MRT stations, malls, and community centres. Whether you’re a resident comparing SIM-only deals or a visitor picking up a SIM at Changi Airport, Singapore’s internet and mobile costs offer exceptional value ranking at just $0.03 per Mbps, one of the cheapest rates globally.
Overview: Singapore’s Connectivity Landscape
Singapore consistently ranks among the top countries in the world for internet speed and affordability. According to the CEOWORLD magazine 2025 Global Internet Pricing Index, Singapore offers broadband connectivity at just $0.03 per Mbps, making it one of the cheapest and fastest internet markets on the planet a remarkable contrast to the global average. The country’s mobile penetration rate stands at a staggering 165%, meaning there are more active SIM cards than people. Average mobile download speeds hover around 164.58 Mbps, with low latency of just 15 ms.
This exceptional performance is the result of several factors:
- Heavy government investment in digital infrastructure under the Smart Nation initiative
- A highly competitive telecom market with three major operators and over a dozen MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators)
- Complete 4G nationwide coverage and rapid 5G SA (Standalone) rollout
- The Open Access fibre broadband network through NetLink Trust (NLT), which allows multiple ISPs to compete on the same infrastructure
The result is a market where consumers enjoy high speeds at very reasonable prices, with plenty of flexibility to switch plans and providers with minimal friction. For a high-cost city often discussed in global cost comparisons, digital access remains surprisingly cheap especially when compared to food and dining expenses covered in our ultimate guide to affordable food in Singapore.
Home Broadband Internet Costs
Singapore’s home internet market is built entirely on fibre broadband. The country has almost entirely phased out copper and cable infrastructure. All broadband plans run over the Next Generation Nationwide Broadband Network (NGNBN), which means even budget providers deliver genuinely fast speeds.
There are seven main internet service providers (ISPs) in Singapore: Singtel, StarHub, M1, ViewQwest, MyRepublic, WhizComms, and SIMBA. Each competes aggressively on price, speed, and value-added perks like free routers, mobile broadband add-ons, and entertainment bundles.
Most plans are offered on 24-month contracts, which unlock the best pricing. Some providers offer 12-month and no-contract plans, but these come at a premium.
Key Home Broadband Plans (2025)
| Provider | Speed | Monthly Cost (SGD) | Contract | Notable Extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WhizComms FibrePlus | 3 Gbps | ~$28 | 24 months | 6 months of CAST.SG Entertainment Plus; no router included |
| SIMBA | 10 Gbps | ~$29.99 | 12 months | Competitive speeds at very low cost |
| M1 HomePac | 3 Gbps | ~$32.90 | 24 months | Free router, free home voice line, free 4G mobile broadband |
| Singtel / StarHub | 1–10 Gbps | $39–$60+ | 24 months | Various bundles with TV, phone, and mobile add-ons |
| MyRepublic | 3 Gbps | $49.99 | No contract | Free home phone, $150 router discount; only no-contract option |
A few important things to note about home broadband costs beyond the monthly subscription:
- NLT Service Activation Fee: A one-time charge of $61.04 applies for every new fibre port activation. This typically applies to new customers or those who have moved homes.
- Termination Point Installation Fee: For homes without an existing fibre termination point, additional installation charges apply $182.03 for HDB flats and private high-rise apartments, and $333.54 for landed properties.
- Relocation and Repair Fees: If you need to change the location of a connection point within your home, charges of $184.21 (HDB) and $336.81 (landed) apply.
For most residents living in established HDB flats or condominiums, these one-time fees are rarely a concern. The monthly costs are genuinely affordable in fact, for under $30 per month, you can get symmetrical 3 Gbps speeds, which is among the most competitive broadband pricing anywhere in the world.
Mobile Plans for Residents
Singapore’s mobile market is equally competitive, if not more so. The three legacy telcos Singtel, StarHub, and M1 are joined by SIMBA (formerly TPG) as the fourth licensed network operator. On top of these, a vibrant ecosystem of MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) such as Circles.Life, GOMO, Giga!, Maxx, MyRepublic Mobile, redONE, VIVIFI, CMLink, and Zero1 compete aggressively, offering some remarkably cheap plans.
The most popular and cost-effective option for most residents is a SIM Only plan a postpaid plan that bundles data, talktime, and SMS at a fixed monthly cost with no handset subsidy and usually no lock-in contract. These are considerably cheaper than traditional two-year bundled phone contracts. Budget-conscious users can find plans for as low as $7–$10 per month. That’s cheaper than most hawker meals featured in our guide to best hawker foods under $5 in Singapore.
SIM Only Plans Comparison (2025)
| Provider | Data | Monthly Cost (SGD) | Network | 5G Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maxx (M1 MVNO) | 290 GB (SG + MY) | $7.90 (promo) | M1 | No (4G) |
| CMLink | 200 GB | $7.70 (promo) | Singtel | No (4G) |
| VIVIFI Roam Value | 100 GB | $7.70 | Singtel | No (4G) |
| M1 Bespoke | 150 GB | $15 | M1 | Yes (5G) |
| M1 Bespoke | 1 TB | $17.95 | M1 | Yes (5G) |
| MyRepublic Mobile | Unlimited (10 GB/day) | $25.90 | StarHub/M1 | No (4G) |
| Singtel SIM Only Plus | 200 GB | $55 | Singtel | Yes (5G) |
As the table shows, budget-conscious users can find solid plans for as low as $7–$10 per month, particularly from MVNOs running on the M1 or Singtel networks. For 5G access, pricing starts from around $15 per month with M1’s Bespoke plans. The flagship plans from Singtel, StarHub, and M1 typically sit in the $35–$55 range and include premium perks like 5G priority, international roaming data, and bundled call minutes.
One important consideration: MVNO plans often come with deprioritised data speeds during peak network congestion. In busy MRT carriages or crowded public spaces, users on Singtel’s core network will generally experience faster speeds than those on MVNOs riding the same infrastructure.
Mobile Internet for Tourists and Visitors
Tourists arriving in Singapore have several excellent options for getting connected quickly. All major telcos offer prepaid tourist SIM cards available at Changi Airport, 7-Eleven convenience stores, and official carrier shops. A passport is required for registration, which is mandated by Singapore’s telecommunications regulations.
Key tourist connectivity options include:
- Prepaid SIM cards from Singtel, StarHub, M1, and SIMBA with validity ranging from 7 to 30 days and data packages from a few GB up to unlimited daily data.
- eSIMs from international providers like ByteSIM, Holafly, and Yesim, which allow instant activation before arrival with no need for a physical card.
- Pocket WiFi rentals from providers like Changi Recommends, suitable for groups needing to connect multiple devices simultaneously, starting at around $10 SGD per day for unlimited data.
- Free public WiFi is widely available through the Wireless@SG network at MRT stations, libraries, community centres, and many retail outlets.
Tourist SIM Card Options at a Glance (2025)
| Provider | Plan Type | Validity | Data | Approx. Cost (SGD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Singtel hi!Tourist | Prepaid SIM | 30 days | Varies | $30–$50 |
| StarHub Tourist SIM | Prepaid SIM | 7–30 days | Varies | $15–$40 |
| M1 Tourist SIM | Prepaid SIM | 7 days | 2 GB | $8 |
| M1 Tourist SIM | Prepaid SIM | 30 days | 6 GB | $14 |
| Changi Recommends | Pocket WiFi rental | Per day | Unlimited | ~$10/day |
| ByteSIM eSIM | eSIM (online) | Flexible | Unlimited (5G) | From $2.90 |
For most short-term visitors, the M1 or StarHub tourist SIM cards offer excellent value. For longer stays or travellers who want seamless connectivity from the moment they land, pre-purchasing an eSIM is the most convenient option.
5G in Singapore: Coverage and Costs
Singapore has been a regional leader in 5G deployment. All three major telcos Singtel, StarHub, and M1 now operate 5G Standalone (SA) networks, with legacy 5G NSA networks having been officially discontinued as of 31 December 2025. This transition to 5G SA brings lower latency, improved energy efficiency, and better support for future applications like smart city infrastructure and industrial IoT.
In terms of coverage:
- Singtel was the first to launch nationwide 5G and leads in coverage and reliability, including underground MRT stations.
- StarHub boasts 99% 5G coverage across Singapore, with strong upload speeds.
- M1 also holds 99% 5G coverage and leads in core 5G download speeds.
- SIMBA operates a 4G-focused network with limited 5G presence.
Accessing 5G in Singapore does not necessarily require a premium plan. M1’s Bespoke 5G plans start from just $15 per month, making Singapore one of the few markets where 5G is genuinely accessible at entry-level price points. For comparison, Singtel’s flagship 5G SIM-Only plan costs $55 per month but includes 200 GB of data and priority network access.
Tips for Getting the Best Value
Whether you are a resident or a visitor, here are some practical tips to maximise your value in Singapore’s telecom market:
- Residents should strongly consider SIM-Only plans. Switching from a traditional 2-year bundled handset plan to a SIM-Only plan can save you over $100 per month in some cases. Buying your phone separately from a retailer and pairing it with a cheap SIM-Only plan is almost always the smarter financial move.
- Compare MVNOs before committing to a major telco. Operators like Maxx, VIVIFI, and CMLink offer dramatically cheaper rates by riding on major network infrastructure. For most everyday use cases browsing, streaming, navigation the difference in speed is barely noticeable.
- Watch for promotional pricing. Many MVNOs offer introductory rates for the first 12 billing cycles. Set a reminder to reassess your plan at the end of the promotional period.
- For home broadband, 24-month contracts give the best savings. Unless you are planning to move or relocate in the near future, committing to a 24-month plan unlocks lower monthly rates and often includes free router hardware.
- Tourists should buy a SIM at the airport or pre-purchase an eSIM. Airport counters and staff can assist with activation, making it the easiest and most beginner-friendly option. Those who want to save even more can look at eSIM providers online before travelling.
- Use Wireless@SG for supplementary WiFi. Singapore’s free public WiFi network is reliable and widely available, making it easy to supplement your mobile data at malls, transit hubs, and community spaces.
Residents should strongly consider SIM-Only plans. Switching can free up budget for lifestyle experiences whether that’s trying the best ramen in Singapore or exploring best places for steamboat in Singapore.
Singapore vs Global Internet Costs
To put Singapore’s pricing in perspective, it is worth noting just how competitive the country is on a global scale. At $0.03 per Mbps, Singapore ranks among the cheapest internet markets in the world, ahead of major European economies and far ahead of countries like Australia, the United Kingdom, or the United States. Mobile data, at an average of around $0.63 per GB, has fallen sharply from previous years as competition intensifies and 5G infrastructure matures.
For a developed, high-cost-of-living city like Singapore, the affordability of its digital connectivity is a genuine standout a testament to smart policy, competitive market design, and sustained infrastructure investment.
Conclusion
Singapore’s internet and mobile market is one of the most consumer-friendly in Asia. From ultra-affordable home fibre plans starting below $30 per month to SIM-Only mobile plans available for under $10, the country offers exceptional value without compromising on speed or reliability. Whether you are settling in as a new resident, navigating the city as a tourist, or simply looking to cut your monthly telecom bill, Singapore gives you the tools and the options to stay connected affordably. The key is to do your comparison homework the difference between the best and worst value plans in the same market can be significant, but the best deal is almost always within easy reach.
