Singapore broadband outages: What to do if your internet goes down

Contents

In this guide:

How to check if your internet is down
Switching broadband providers
Internet options during an outage

Being disconnected from the internet isn’t fun for anyone, especially if you work from home.

Rest assured, there are steps you can take to pinpoint the issue. Sometimes it's an issue isolated within your home network, while other times it’s a widespread outage or planned maintenance conducted by your internet service provider.

Here’s what to do if you have an internet outage in Singapore, so you can get back online ASAP.

How to check if your internet is down in Singapore

If you can’t access the internet, you might be experiencing a broadband outage.

You might be greeted by an error message when you go to use your internet browser, or there might be an error message on your TV if you use a Chromecast to access your streaming services.

1. Check your internet service provider’s website for updates

There are several ways you can confirm there’s an outage in your area. Firstly, if you suspect a widespread outage, you can check your internet service provider’s website (by hotspotting your mobile data, of course).

They’ll typically post about any planned outages or notify consumers if there’s an issue with the network that needs fixing. Most telcos have a network status page where you can determine if there’s an outage.

You can also check your telco’s social media page to see if they’ve recently posted about any planned maintenance periods or broadband outages.

2. Check third-party sites

While your telco's network status or social media page is normally your best bet, telcos might be slow off the mark and fail to update it during an unplanned outage. If you want to try and get an answer quickly, you can check Down Detector, a crowd-sourced website where users can make a report if there’s an issue with the network.

Alternatively, visit Geo Blackout. It works similarly, by collating crowd-sourced reports of users in real time. Just select your provider and whether it's your internet or power that’s playing up, and you’ll be able to see if anyone else has reported an outage.

3. Restart your router or modem

If you've confirmed your internet issues aren't caused by a widespread network outage, there's a good chance the problem is with your modem or router.

Try turning it off for a few minutes, then turning it back on.

Restarting your router or modem forces it to re-establish a connection with your internet service provider, and it can sometimes work if you’re experiencing an issue connecting with your home network.

4. Call tech support

If you’ve done all the above, and there’s no sign of a widespread network outage, it might be time to call your ISP’s tech support line.

They can run some remote diagnostics and test your connection quality from their end to let you know whether there are any faults with your connection. They can also guide you through some troubleshooting solutions and log the issue with a technician if they’re not able to identify and resolve the issue over the phone.

Consider switching broadband providers

If it seems like every other day you’re experiencing an outage or choppy connection, and it’s not due to your hardware in your house, it might be time to think about switching broadband providers.

Consider ending your contract, or waiting it out, and making the switch to an alternate provider.

Below are some popular fibre broadband plans in Singapore if you’re considering switching broadband providers:

#1	ViewQwest	ViewQwest 3Gbps Home Broadband No Router Fibre 3 Gbps Contract (24 mths) Deal: Save $22/mth for first 12 mths at $18.98/mth, then $40.98/mth + Activation fees waived worth $115.54 $18.98/mth for 12 mths, then $40.98/mth Min. cost $719.52 Go	$18.98/mth for 12 mths, then $40.98/mth Min. cost $719.52	Go
#2	WhizComms	WhizComms 3Gbps No-Frills Fibre 3 Gbps Contract (24 mths) Deal: NLT Service Activation & WhizComms Installation Fees waived + 180 days of CAST.SG $26/mth Min. cost $624 Go	$26/mth Min. cost $624	Go
#3	Eight	Eight Flex 8 10Gbps 12-Month Fibre 10 Gbps Contract (12 mths) Deal: $0.80 for your first month, then $26.80/month (U.P. $28.80/month) $26.80/mth $0.80 for first mth Min. cost $293.60 Go	$26.80/mth $0.80 for first mth Min. cost $293.60	Go
#4	M1 Editor's Pick	M1 Editor's Pick HomePac 6Gbps Fibre 6 Gbps Contract (24 mths) Deal: Get 6Gbps at a discount price of $27.90/mth for 24 months (usual price $95/mth). New sign-up only. $27.90/mth Includes discounted price Min. cost $669.60 Go	$27.90/mth Includes discounted price Min. cost $669.60	Go
#5	SIMBA Editor's Pick	SIMBA Editor's Pick 10Gbps Fibre 2 Year Contract Fibre 10 Gbps Contract (24 mths) Deal: Free eero Pro 7 router (worth $599.99) + NLT Service Activation (worth $61.04) + Device installation (worth $50) + ONU device (worth $198) + Home Phone Line (worth $140) $29.99/mth Min. cost $719.76 Go	$29.99/mth Min. cost $719.76	Go
#6	MyRepublic	MyRepublic TP-Link 2.5Gbps Router + HyperSpeed 10Gbps Fibre 10 Gbps Contract (24 mths) Deal: $30.99/mth for 24 mths (U.P. $35.99/mth) $30.99/mth + $170.94 Upfront Includes discounted price Min. cost $914.70 Go	$30.99/mth + $170.94 Upfront Includes discounted price Min. cost $914.70	Go

Internet options during an outage

While internet outages can be frustrating, there are still ways you can access the internet. Public libraries in Singapore offer free Wi-Fi. If you don't have a library near you, a cafe with Wi-Fi is a good alternative.

However, your best option is to use your phone as a hotspot, given your mobile plan has enough data. Try to refrain from overly demanding tasks like streaming video or downloading large software updates until your broadband is back online, though.

Luckily, for many Singaporeans, mobile plans include generous data allowances, which can reduce reliance on broadband networks in the event of an outage. The following telcos offer mobile plans with unlimited data.

#1	MyRepublic	MyRepublic 4G Rewardland Plan $18 Unlimited data on M1 4G network 2000 Minutes 100 Messages International Roaming Deal: $18 for your first month, then just $12 for the next four months with Reward Coins. New number & Non-M1 port-in $18.00/mth Min. cost $18 Go	$18.00/mth Min. cost $18	Go
#2	GOMO	GOMO 5G+ Asia Infinity Unlimited data on Singtel's 5G network in selected areas with 5G devices Unlimited National Calls & SMS International Roaming Deal: $9.17 for the first mth, $30.56/mth thereafter. Use code GOMO70 $30.56 + $2 Upfront Min. cost $11.17 Go	$30.56 + $2 Upfront Min. cost $11.17	Go
#3	CMLink	CMLink Unlimited 5G SIM Only Unlimited data on Singtel's 5G network 1000 Minutes 500 Messages International Roaming Deal: Free 600GB Malaysia roaming for 365 days for limited time only $31.10 Min. cost $31.10 Go	$31.10 Min. cost $31.10	Go
#4	StarHub	StarHub 5G Unlimited+ Core Unlimited data StarHub 5G network Unlimited National Calls & SMS International Roaming $38.00 Min. cost $38 Go	$38.00 Min. cost $38	Go
#5	Singtel	Singtel Enhanced Core SIM Only 5G+ Unlimited data Singtel 5G network 700 Minutes 700 Messages International Roaming Deal: 10% OFF when you port-in to Singtel + Get up to $600 one-time cashback when you add a phone with PayLater $40.00 + $32.70 Upfront Min. cost $72.70 Go	$40.00 + $32.70 Upfront Min. cost $72.70	Go

Or, if unlimited data is a bit of an overkill, consider one of these plans with at least 500GB of local data.

#1	Eight Editor's Pick	Eight Editor's Pick Double Eight 4G SIM Only 528GB data on StarHub 4G network Unlimited National Calls 88 Messages International Roaming Deal: Port-in and get 2 months free $8.00 Min. cost $8 Go	$8.00 Min. cost $8	Go
#2	SIMBA Editor's Pick	SIMBA Editor's Pick SuperRoam 10 SIM Only 500GB data SIMBA mobile digital network (5G) Unlimited National Calls & SMS International Roaming $10.00 Min. cost $10 Go	$10.00 Min. cost $10	Go
#3	ZYM Mobile	ZYM Mobile Roam Plus 4G 500GB data on Singtel network 1000 Minutes 100 Messages International Roaming Deal: $0 bill during 4th to 6th month whem you port-in + 15GB Global Roam 198 destinations (One-time, 365 days) + Use promo code 'WHISTLEOUT' to get 3x chances to win Galaxy Buds 3, worth $258 $10.10 + $3 Upfront Min. cost $13.10 Go	$10.10 + $3 Upfront Min. cost $13.10	Go
#4	Maxx	Maxx 500GB SIM Only 500GB data on M1 5G network 500 Minutes 50 Messages International Roaming $12.00 Min. cost $12 Go	$12.00 Min. cost $12	Go
#5	Singtel	Singtel $12 hi! 4G Monthly Plan 500GB data Singtel 4G network Unlimited National Calls & SMS International Roaming Deal: Port-in Offer: $10/mth for 12 months when you transfer an existing number to hi! $12.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Go	$12.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go
#6	MyRepublic	MyRepublic 5G Basic $14.95 500GB data M1 5G network 800 Minutes 800 Messages Deal: For new number & Non-M1port-in sign-ups $14.95/mth Min. cost $14.95 Go	$14.95/mth Min. cost $14.95	Go