SIMBA vs. Whizcomm: Who Reigns Supreme in the 2.5 Gbps Broadband Battle?

Singapore’s internet scene just got hotter with two rivals blazing a trail – SIMBA and Whizcomm, both offering blazing-fast 2.5 Gbps fibre broadband plans. But before you declare your allegiance, let’s dissect their differences, including network technology, equipment compatibility, cost structures, and regional availability, to crown the champion for your home needs.

Price:

While the monthly rate ties at S$21.80 (including GST) for both providers, their billing structures and upfront costs diverge:

• SIMBA: Offers two payment options:
  • Quarterly: S$20 per month billed in advance for three months at a time. This translates to:
    • S$60 for the first billing cycle (subscription fee).
    • S$60 as a security deposit (refundable).
    • S$53 for the Netlink Trust (NLT) charge (where applicable).
    • S$50 for the Optical Network Terminal (ONT) and onsite installation by SIMBA.
  • Annual: S$240 for twelve months billed in advance. This translates to:
    • S$240 for the first billing cycle (subscription fee).
    • S$53 for the NLT charge (where applicable).
    • S$50 for the ONT and onsite installation by SIMBA.
• Whizcomm: Offers monthly billing with a 12-month contract at S$21.80 per month. It also offers a plan with a Router (used as a access point) at $27.25/mth. For new sign up, there will be a promotional $50 WhizComms Installation Fee (Weekdays, 9.00am – 5.30pm) and $57.77 NetLink Trust Activation Fee.

*Simba quoted pricing does not include 9% GST.

Speed:

• SIMBA: Delivers true 2.5 Gbps download and 1.25 Gbps upload speeds – perfect for heavy downloading, high-resolution streaming, and lag-free online gaming. However, it’s important to note that SIMBA fibre broadband utilizes Carrier-grade NAT (CGNAT) technology. This means several customers share a single public IP address, which can potentially impact certain online services or applications requiring individual IP addresses. Additionally, SIMBA subscribers will need a wireless router that supports a 2.5 Gbps WAN connection to fully utilize the plan’s speed. Standard routers may limit you to lower speeds.
• Whizcomm: Offers up to 1 Gbps for individual connections, with a combined maximum of 2.5 Gbps. This can be ideal for multiple users who don’t all need full 2.5 Gbps bandwidth at once. Additionally, Whizcomm does not use CGNAT technology, meaning each customer receives a unique public IP address. As the ONR comes with 4 Gbps ports, your can maximise bandwidth utilisation with 4 devices or access points sharing the 2.5 Gbps.

Contract and Fees:

Both providers require a 12-month commitment, but with different upfront costs:

• SIMBA: S$20 + 9% GST which translates to $21.80 per month but requires upfront payments for quarterly or annual plans, security deposit, NLT charge, and ONT/installation.
• Whizcomm: $21.80 per month. Higher payment may be required for router plan. There is no additional security deposit required.

Additional Info:

• SIMBA: Offers plan vanilla ONT with 2.5 Gbps output port which you could hook to a switch or wireless router (2.5Gbps) to maximise the bandwidth. It doesn’t come with a digital voice line or additional routers which you could purchase as part of the plan.
• Whizcomm: Offers an optional digital voice line for an additional S$3 per month. It also has other options to bundle a router.

Regional Availability:

Here’s where the landscape shifts:

• SIMBA: Currently offers its 2.5 Gbps plans in select regions of Singapore. Be sure to check their website or contact them to confirm availability in your specific area.
• Whizcomm: Provides its 2.5 Gbps plans islandwide, offering greater flexibility for subscribers across Singapore.

So, who wins?

There’s still no clear-cut victor! Both SIMBA and Whizcomm offer compelling options, but the best choice depends on your specific needs and preferences, factoring in:

• Price: Both SIMBA and Whizcomm pricing are the same per month. Whizcomm users might need to pay a higher monthly cost if they chose to bundle it with a wireless router. SIMBA on the other hand require a quarterly payment with deposit or a yearly payment.
• Speed: SIMBA offers true 2.5 Gbps but uses CGNAT. With SIMBA, you can test out the real speed with direct connection to a router or switch. As for Whizcomm, you will be capped at 1 Gbps per port.

Conclusion

If your current monthly payment exceeds S$30 and your subscription is nearing its expiration, both Whizcomm and Simba 2.5 Gbps fiber plans present attractive options.

It’s essential to note that these plans come with a 1-year contract, and the cost savings may not be immediately evident until the second year. This is because the telecommunication company does not absorb installation charges and NLT fees. Therefore, when calculating the total expenses, it’s approximately S$31 (inclusive of GST), making it comparable to the cost of an M1 500 Mbps plan.

For those seeking an alternative fiber broadband with a digital voice line, Whizcomm might be the preferred choice (with an additional S$3). If you aim to enjoy the full 2.5 Gbps speed from a single port that can be shared, Simba is the ideal selection.

As the telcos might update or change the promotion, please refer to their respective website for the updated pricing information.

Hopefully, this information assists you in determining which option is more suitable for your needs.