Telco M1 has best 4G connectivity: IDA data

SINGAPORE — M1 may be the smallest telco here, but it boasts the best 4G connectivity and its customers require the shortest time to establish a mobile data connection, based on data collected by Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) from about 4,000 users here.

Among the three main telcos, StarHub fared the worst on both counts while Singtel came out tops in terms of 3G data download speed.

The findings were collected from 50 million data points from October last year to March this year, as part of an IDA pilot to increase information transparency to help consumers make informed choices on their mobile broadband plans. Yesterday, the IDA said it will make such reports available every six months through data collected on its MyConnection SG app, which will be released later this year.

In the inaugural report, M1 users took an average of 35.4 milliseconds to establish a local connection on 4G, while StarHub’s connectivity took 53.5 milliseconds. Singtel’s was a shade faster at 50.9 milliseconds. For 3G connectivity, StarHub users (258.4 milliseconds) also took more than twice as long as M1 (99.9 milliseconds). As for 4G data download speed, M1 topped the telcos with a typical speed of 4.9Mbps to 43.7Mbps while StarHub’s typical speed was 5.0Mbps to 40.5Mbps.

Singtel, however, offered the fastest download speed on 3G, with its typical speed ranging from 0.8Mbps to 11.2Mbps. M1’s typical speed was 0.9Mbps to 7.3Mbps, StarHub’s was 0.9Mbps to 7.3Mbps.

In response to TODAY’s queries, StarHub’s senior manager of corporate communications Cassie Fong said there are several factors that can affect data download speeds, including the types of mobile plan and mobile device, as well as usage patterns of the mobile subscribers.

Apart from the MyConnection SG app, Ms Fong said StarHub constantly monitors its mobile network performance with its regular internal and outdoor tests, as well as actively listens to customer feedback.

A Singtel spokesperson said it will continue to prioritise base station site deployment and optimise its networks to enhance indoor 3G and 4G coverage for its customers. “We plan to more than double our existing number of over 400 hotspots nationwide that include popular shopping malls and busy underground MRT stations,” she added.

M1’s assistant general manager for corporate communications Chua Hian Hou said: “We are pleased that the results demonstrate that M1 customers continue to enjoy the fastest connection times and Singapore’s best 4G mobile experience.”

IDA’s findings also revealed that 4G download speeds are about five times faster than 3G download speeds when it comes to surfing social networking websites, video streaming and online gaming. On average, typical download speed experienced by 80 per cent of 4G participants was between 5.1Mbps and 42.4Mbps, with a peak speed of 87.7Mbps, while typical data download speed on the 3G network was between 0.8Mbps and 9.2Mbps, with a peak speed of 31.3Mbps.

Data download speed on Wireless@SG services was also higher than the expected 2Mbps of bandwidth provided at public areas, with a peak speed of 8.5Mbps. The app also helped to identify areas with high utilisation as well as potential cellular blind spots — information that has been sent to the local telcos.

Meanwhile, commuters will soon be able to suggest possible routes for private mini-bus shuttle services that can be activated, based on demand. A pilot, which was first reported by TODAY in April, will start from next month, when the Beeline mobile app is launched. It was previously reported each trip would cost between S$5 and S$10.