StarHub Services and Network Infrastructure in Singapore
StarHub has established itself as a cornerstone of Singapore's telecommunications landscape. Since its inception, the company has aggressively expanded its portfolio to provide a comprehensive suite of mobile, television, internet, and fixed network services, consistently introducing new technologies to the local market.
Mobile Services
Operating through its subsidiary StarHub Mobile since April 1, 2000, the company has grown into the second-largest mobile network operator in Singapore, capturing nearly 30% of the market share with close to two million customers.
StarHub has a history of pioneering wireless technology in the region. In May 2003, it was the first Singaporean operator to launch the BlackBerry, a handheld device integrating email and data access. This was followed by the rollout of 3G services in April 2005, after trials began in late 2004. In November 2005, StarHub launched i-mode in an exclusive partnership with NTT DoCoMo.
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The company continued its leadership in data speeds by becoming the first Asia Pacific operator to launch HSPA+ (High-Speed Packet Access Plus) on July 15, 2009, under the MaxMobile Elite brand, offering speeds up to 21 Mbit/s. By September 2012, StarHub enhanced its network with Long Term Evolution (LTE) and Dual Cell HSPA+ (DC-HSPA+), boosting peak downlink speeds to 75 Mbit/s and 42 Mbit/s, respectively.
In March 2013, StarHub introduced High Definition (HD) Voice, followed by 4G Voice over LTE (VoLTE), both designed to improve speech clarity and reduce background noise. These advancements contributed to StarHub being ranked as the world's fastest 4G network by OpenSignal in September 2015. By the second quarter of 2016, StarHub achieved an outdoor 4G coverage rate of 99.69%.
Recent innovations include a partnership with Vodafone for enterprise services and the introduction of eSIM (embedded SIM) technology in January 2017, which allows devices like the Samsung Gear S3 Frontier to connect without a physical SIM card.
Pay TV and Entertainment
StarHub delivers cable television via Singapore Cable Vision Ltd, utilizing a Hybrid Optical Fibre-Coaxial network that reaches 99% of Singaporean households. The service evolved from traditional cable to digital cable in November 2004, increasing channel availability and interactivity.
The entertainment offering expanded with the launch of high-definition television in January 2007 and TV Anywhere in June 2012, a multi-platform service for laptops and tablets. StarHub later transitioned toward Internet Protocol television (IPTV), launching it for commercial customers in March 2013 and residential customers in April 2015. In August 2015, these streaming capabilities were consolidated into a single service called StarHub Go.
Internet Services
Broadband access is provided through StarHub Internet and StarHub Online. The company's history in this sector includes the acquisition of CyberWay, which led to the launch of Singapore's first free surf dial-up plan in December 1999.
StarHub utilizes the DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification) standard for its cable modem services. In December 2006, it became the first operator globally to launch a nationwide 100 Mbit/s residential broadband service, branded as MaxOnline Ultimate. This was followed by the MaxInfinity fibre broadband series in April 2010, offering speeds ranging from 100 Mbit/s to 1000 Mbit/s.
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To cater to specific user needs, StarHub briefly offered gamer-centric plans called MaxInfinity LVL99 and introduced "Dual Broadband" in November 2014, which bundled a 100 Mbit/s cable connection with a 1 Gbit/s fibre plan. Additionally, as a founding member of the Wireless Broadband Alliance, StarHub provides widespread wireless access and partnered with Connexion by Boeing to offer in-flight internet access.
Fixed Network Services
StarHub maintains a robust physical infrastructure consisting of over 2,000 km of fixed network connecting more than 800 commercial buildings. These services are divided into two primary categories:
- Data Services: Includes Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), Domestic and International Private Leased Circuits, Frame Relay, and Facilities Management.
- IP and Voice Services: Includes Dedicated Leased lines, Global Virtual Private Networks (VPN), Metropolitan Ethernet, Managed Security Services, Hosting, and Co-location services.
Key Facts
- Market Position: Second largest mobile operator in Singapore with nearly 30% market share.
- Network Reach: Cable TV network covers 99% of households; 4G outdoor coverage reached 99.69% by Q2 2016.
- Speed Milestones: First in the world to launch nationwide 100 Mbit/s residential broadband (2006).
- Infrastructure: Fixed network extends over 2,000 km, connecting 800+ commercial buildings.
- Innovation: First in Singapore to launch BlackBerry (2003) and HD Voice (2013).
| Service Category | Key Technology/Brand | Notable Milestone |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile | LTE / 4G / HSPA+ | Ranked world's fastest 4G network by OpenSignal (2015) |
| Pay TV | IPTV / StarHub Go | Hybrid Optical Fibre-Coaxial network reaches 99% of homes |
| Internet | MaxInfinity Fibre | First nationwide 100 Mbit/s residential broadband (2006) |
| Fixed Network | Metro Ethernet / VPN | Over 2,000 km of network connecting 800+ buildings |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is StarHub's market share in the mobile sector?
StarHub is the second largest mobile network operator in Singapore, holding close to 30% of the market share with nearly two million customers.
What is the difference between MaxOnline and MaxInfinity?
MaxOnline refers to StarHub's cable broadband services based on the DOCSIS standard, while MaxInfinity refers to its residential fibre broadband services, which offer higher speeds up to 1000 Mbit/s.
What is StarHub Go?
StarHub Go is an online streaming service launched in August 2015 that merged the previous TV Anywhere multi-platform service into a single offering.
When did StarHub introduce eSIM technology?
StarHub switched on eSIM support for its 4G network in January 2017, with the Samsung Gear S3 Frontier (LTE) being the first eSIM wearable available in Singapore.
What are StarHub's fixed network capabilities for businesses?
StarHub provides extensive data and IP services for commercial buildings, including Metropolitan Ethernet, Global Virtual Private Networks, Managed Security Services, and Co-location services.