2019 Singapore - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses

Last updated: 20 Apr 2020 Update History

Report Status: Archived

Report Pages: 168

Analyst: Sebastien De Rosbo

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Summary
Table Of Contents

Publication Overview

This report provides a comprehensive overview of trends and developments in Singapore’s telecommunications market. The report analyses the Telecoms Infrastructure, mobile, fixed broadband, Digital Media and Digital Economy sectors. Subjects include:

Market and industry analyses, trends and developments;
Regional market comparisons
Telecoms Maturity Index
Data centres and smart Infrastructure;
Major players, revenues, subscribers, ARPU;
Broadband (FTTH, DSL);
Internet of Things, 5G developments
Mobile, broadband and mobile broadband forecasts to 2024.

Researcher:- Phil Harpur
Current publication date:- August 2019 (25th Edition)

Executive Summary

Fibre makes inroads on DSL and cable in the fixed broadband market

Singapore has developed the status of a world leader in telecommunications through the building of a high-quality network and an extremely progressive regulatory environment for the local telecommunications sector.

The Next Generation Broadband Network (NGNBN) roll out and deployment in Singapore has effectively been completed and there continues to be a rapid take-up of fibre-based services.

Singapore has been working to shape itself into what it says will be the world’s first ‘Smart Nation’ where data and analytics play a critical role in its society and economy.

Singapore’s smart nation projects now include smart sensor networks for water and air, smart logistics that enable interoperability standards throughout the supply chain, and smart sensors in the homes of the elderly or chronically ill.

Singapore has developed to become a regional data centre hub for large enterprises across a range of industries. The diversity and number of local and international cloud providers entering Singapore data centres has significantly increased over the last three to five years.

Singtel launched its FutureNow Innovation Centre (FIC) to help enterprises accelerate their digital transformation. The FIC is a key innovation platform, designed to support the Government’s Industry Transformation Maps (ITMs) focusing on Singapore’s six key industry clusters.

Singapore’s mobile market has displayed slow growth over the last few years due to a highly mature market. Singapore’s mobile market remains highly competitive and operators have moved to a customer satisfaction and retention phase by offering value-added services as the market has matured. However very slow growth is also predicted over the next five years to 2024, as there is little room for further growth in a highly saturated market.

SingTel’s recent financial performance was one its weakest for more than a decade. It highlights the challenges faced by Southeast Asia’s largest telecoms carrier as rival providers expand in a highly competitive industry.

The government launched its Next Generation National Broadband Network (NGNBN) over a decade ago and the rollout is now essentially complete. It’s based on a combination of fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) and wireless networks. The NGNBN has continued to form the basis of the government’s broadband strategy and implementation.

Singtel completed the migration of its cable to fibre-based networks for consumers in 2018. StarHub plan to shut off its cable services by 2019.

Slow growth in the fixed broadband market is predicted over the next five years in a mature and saturated market. Optical fibre broadband also has seen strong growth as customers migrate to the NGNBN’s fibre network. xDSL on the other hand has seen a decrease in usage and cable modem broadband also has been experiencing declining subscriber numbers.

Competition is now heating up in Singapore’s mobile market with a fourth provider Australian telco TPG Telecom launching mobile services. By mid-2019. TPG had significantly expanded its free mobile service trial. TPG Telecom won the right to become the city-state’s fourth mobile network operator (MNO). However, MyRepublic has launched its mobile services via an MNVO arrangement in partnership with mobile operator Starhub.

This is likely to see increased pressure on SingTel, Starhub and M1, potentially triggering another price war which is likely to lower ARPUs over the next few years. Over the past few years price wars had broken out in the Singapore mobile data market indicating the heightened market competition that is now evident in a highly mature market.

Singapore saw strong growth in mobile broadband penetration for the past five years, however since then growth has been slow due to a mature and saturated mobile market. The mobile broadband market will be driven by increasingly faster speeds offered by the mobile operators as they roll out their 4G and 5G networks and improving tariffs due to strong competition.

The IMDA is backing the deployment of standalone 5G networks which will be capable of delivering a full suite of enterprise 5G capabilities, including network slicing and low latency connections for Internet of Things (IoT) applications.

BuddeComm notes that the outbreak of the Coronavirus in 2020 is having a significant impact on production and supply chains globally. During the coming year the telecoms sector to various degrees is likely to experience a downturn in mobile device production, while it may also be difficult for network operators to manage workflows when maintaining and upgrading existing infrastructure. Overall progress towards 5G may be postponed or slowed down in some countries.

On the consumer side, spending on telecoms services and devices is under pressure from the financial effect of large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes. However, the crucial nature of telecom services, both for general communication as well as a tool for home-working, will offset such pressures. In many markets the net effect should be a steady though reduced increased in subscriber growth.

Although it is challenging to predict and interpret the long-term impacts of the crisis as it develops, these have been acknowledged in the industry forecasts contained in this report.

The report also covers the responses of the telecom operators as well as government agencies and regulators as they react to the crisis to ensure that citizens can continue to make optimum use of telecom services. This can be reflected in subsidy schemes and the promotion of tele-health and tele-education, among other solutions.

Key Developments

Multimedia content providers are driving strong demand for data centre storage in Singapore.
StarHub signed a MoU to co-develop and launch commercial IoT applications/services.
The diversity of cloud providers entering Singapore data centres has significantly increased over the last three to five years.
Fibre broadband will continue to be the fastest growing fixed broadband segment.
Both DSL and cable modem will continue to experience declining subscriber numbers.
Data and analytics will play a critical role in Singapore's Smart Nation initiative.
Competition is heating up with a fourth provider TPG Telecom launching mobile services.
The IMDA is backing the deployment of standalone 5G networks which will be capable of delivering a full suite of enterprise 5G capabilities.
SingTel’s recent financial performance was one its weakest for more than a decade.
Assessment of the global impact of COVID-19 on the telecoms sector.

Key companies mentioned in this report:

SingTel; StarHub, MobileOne (M1), MyRepublic, TPG (Telecom).

Phil Harpur
August 2019

Key statistics
COVID-19 and its impact on the telecom sector

Economic considerations and responses
Mobile devices
Subscribers
Infrastructure

Telecommunications market

Market Overview and Analysis
Regional Asian Market Comparison

Regulatory environment

Historic overview
Regulatory authority

Background

Cyber Security

Fixed network operators

Singapore Telecom (SingTel)
StarHub
PacNet

Telecommunications infrastructure

Overview of the national telecom network
The Next Generation Nationwide Broadband Network (Next Gen NBN)

Overview
Background and Timeline

International infrastructure

Satellite networks
Submarine cable networks
Indigo-CENTRAL AND Indigo-West
Singapore-Myanmar (SIGMAR) cable
Other developments

Data Centres
Smart infrastructure

Internet-of-Things (IoT)
Smart Nation Platform
Cyber Security Centre
Smart Meters

Broadband market

Introduction and statistical overview

Market overview and analysis
Next Generation National Broadband Network (NGNBN)
Broadband statistics and Forecast

Fixed Broadband Service Providers

Overview
Singapore Telecom (SingTel)
StarHub
MobileOne (M1)
MyRepublic

Fixed Line Broadband Technologies

Hybrid Fibre Coax (HFC) networks / Cable Modems
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) networks
Fibre-to-the-Premises (FttP) and Fibre-To-The-Home (FTTH)
Fixed wireless (WiFi and WiMAX)
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)

Digital economy

e-Commerce

Smart Nation initiative

E-Payments
e-Government

Digital media

Videostreaming / IPTV

Mobile communications

Market Overview and analysis
Mobile statistics

Mobile Statistics and Forecasts
Mobile Broadband Statistics and Forecast

Regulatory Issues

Spectrum Auctions

Mobile infrastructure

5G
4G
3G
2G
VoLTE
VoWiFi
HetNet
Radio Dot System
Lampsite Trials
Satellite mobile
Light Fidelity (Li-Fi)
Licensed Assisted Access (LAA) Small Cells

Major mobile operators

Overview – operating statistics
Singapore Telecom (SingTel)
StarHub
MobileOne (M1)
TPG Telecom
MNVOs

Glossary of abbreviations

List of Tables

Table 1 – Top Level Country Statistics and Telco Authorities – 2019 (e)
Table 2 – Key Metrics - Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) - 2019 – 2024
Table 3 –SingTel (Group) – Operating Revenue, EBITDA - 2015 – 2019
Table 4 – Fixed Telephone Line Subscriptions and Penetration – 2007 – 2019
Table 5 – Historic – Fixed Telephone Line Subscriptions and Penetration – 1998 – 2006
Table 6 – Historic - Overview of fixed-line subscribers – 2015 – 2017
Table 7 – Fixed Broadband Subscribers and Penetration (with Forecast) – 2008 - 2024
Table 8 – Fixed Broadband Subscribers – By Access Type – 2008 – 2018
Table 9 – Total Broadband subscribers (Fixed and Wireless) and Annual Growth– 2008 – 2018
Table 10 – Historic - Total Broadband subscribers (Fixed and Wireless) and Annual Growth– 1999 – 2011
Table 11 – Historic - Total Broadband Subscribers – Fixed vs Wireless – 2013 – 2017
Table 12 – Historic - Total Broadband Subscribers – Fixed vs Wireless, market share – 2013 - 2017
Table 13 – Historic - Total Broadband Subscribers by Access Type – 2013 – 2017
Table 14 – Historic - Total Broadband Market Share by Access Type – 2013 – 2017
Table 15 – Internet Users and Penetration – 2007 – 2019
Table 16 – Total international internet bandwidth – 2006 – 2018
Table 17 – Fixed broadband service providers and market share – 2018
Table 18 – SingTel - fixed broadband subscribers – 2008 - 2019
Table 19 – Historic - SingTel - fixed broadband subscribers – 2005 - 2010
Table 20 – SingTel’s fibre-based broadband subscribers – 2011 – 2018
Table 21 – StarHub’s fixed broadband subscribers – 2003 – 2018
Table 22 – StarHub – ARPU for broadband services – 2006 – 2018
Table 23 – Mobile One – Fixed (broadband fibre) subscribers – 2012 - 2018
Table 24 – Mobile One – ARPU - fixed (broadband fibre) services – 2012 – 2018
Table 25 – Cable modem subscribers – 2009 – 2019
Table 26 – Cable modem subscribers – 2000 – 2011
Table 27 – DSL subscribers – 2009 – 2019
Table 28 – Historic - DSL subscribers – 2000 – 2011
Table 29 – Total optical fibre broadband subscribers – 2011 - 2019
Table 30 – SingTel’s pay TV subscribers (millions)– 2007 – 2018
Table 31 – StarHub pay TV subscribers – 2010 – 2018
Table 32 – StarHub pay TV ARPU – 2003 - 2018
Table 33 – Mobile Subscribers and Penetration (with Forecast) – 2009 – 2024
Table 34 – Historic - Mobile Subscribers and Penetration – 1997 – 2011
Table 35 – Historic - Mobile Subscribers by 2G, 3G, 4G, prepaid, postpaid (millions) – 2012 – 2017
Table 36 – Historic - Mobile Subscribers by 2G, 3G, 4G (millions) – 2012 – 2017
Table 37 – Historic - Mobile Subscribers market share by 2G, 3G, 4G – 2012 – 2017
Table 38 – ARPU – postpaid and prepaid by mobile operator – 2014 – 2018
Table 39 – Mobile Broadband Subscribers and Penetration (with Forecast) – 2007 – 2024
Table 40 – Singapore – mobile operators and systems
Table 41 – Mobile Subscribers by Operator (millions) – 2000 – 2019
Table 42 – Mobile Subscriber Market Share by Operator – 2009 – 2019
Table 43 – Historic - Mobile Subscriber Market Share by Operator – 2000 – 2011
Table 44 – SingTel – Singapore market – Key Financial Statistics – 2014 – 2019
Table 45 – SingTel – Singapore market – key operational subscriber (millions) – 2013 – 2019
Table 46 – SingTel - mobile subscribers – 2009 – 2019
Table 47 – Historic - SingTel - mobile subscribers – 1998 – 2012
Table 48 – SingTel - 4G mobile subscribers – 2014 – 2018
Table 49 – SingTel – ARPU for mobile services – postpaid, prepaid, blended – 2003 – 2018
Table 50 – StarHub – Key Financial Statistics – 2014 – 2018
Table 51 – StarHub – operating revenue and capital expenditure – 2008 – 2018
Table 52 – StarHub – Operating revenue by segment – 2017 - 2018
Table 53 – Historic - StarHub – Operating revenue ($thousands) by market segment – 2014 – 2017
Table 54 – StarHub mobile subscribers – 2009 – 2019
Table 55 – Historic - StarHub mobile subscribers – 2000 – 2011
Table 56 – StarHub – ARPU for mobile services – postpaid and prepaid – 2009 – 2018
Table 57 – Historic - StarHub – ARPU for mobile services – postpaid and prepaid – 2003 – 2011
Table 58 – MobileOne - mobile subscribers – 1998 – 2019
Table 59 – MobileOne – ARPU for mobile services – postpaid and prepaid – 2015 – 2018
Table 60 – Mobile One – operating revenue, capital expenditure and EBITDA – 2008 – 2017

List of Charts

Chart 1 – Mobile, Mobile Broadband & Fixed Broadband Penetration – 2019; 2024
Chart 5 – Fixed Telephone Line Subscriptions and Penetration – 2008 – 2019
Chart 6 – Fixed Broadband Subscribers and Penetration (with Forecast) – 2008 – 2024
Chart 7 – Fixed Broadband Subscribers by Access Type– 2008 - 2018
Chart 8 – Historic - Total Broadband Market Share by Fixed vs Wireless – 2013 – 2017
Chart 9 – Internet Users and Penetration – 2007 - 2019
Chart 10 – Mobile Subscribers and Penetration (with Forecast) – 2009 – 2024
Chart 11 – Historic - Mobile Subscribers Market Share by 2G, 3G, 4G subscribers – 2012 – 2017
Chart 12 – Mobile Broadband Subscribers and Penetration (with Forecast) – 2010 – 2024
Chart 13 – Mobile Subscriber Market Share by Operator – 2008 – 2019

List of Exhibits

Exhibit 3 – Key historical regulatory and liberalisation developments
Exhibit 4 – Structure of National Broadband Network
Exhibit 5 – International submarine cable systems with landing points in Singapore
Exhibit 6 – Historic - Third Generation (3G) licensees, spectrum and vendors
Exhibit 7 – SingTel’s regional subsidiaries and shareholdings
Exhibit 8 – Major shareholders in StarHub

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2019 Singapore - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses

Purchase this Report

Fibre makes inroads on DSL and cable in the fixed broadband market

Key Developments

Key companies mentioned in this report:

Key statistics

COVID-19 and its impact on the telecom sector

Telecommunications market

Regulatory environment

Fixed network operators

Telecommunications infrastructure

Broadband market

Digital economy

Digital media

Mobile communications

Glossary of abbreviations

Purchase this Report

Share this Report

TMT Intelligence

A platform to scale your intelligence tasks

Research Methodology

Hot Topics

News & Views