Why Singaporeans are slow to switch to fibre broadband

Usage is creeping up for this high-speed internet service but many know little of its practical benefits.

Currently, there are only roughly 100,000 users of fibre broadband service, even as the three major telcos strive to promote it heavily.

“OpenNet and the industry must continue to promote the benefits of fibre broadband over traditional broadband services using ADSL and Cable. Relevant content and applications will also help to drive adoption,” said Daniel Ho, Director of Business Development and Communication, OpenNet.

In a Fibre Index survey conducted by Ipsos and commissioned by OpenNet, it found that "the most common applications used by home internet users are internet surfing (92%) and email (87%). Other popular online activities include social networking (81%), watching video/TV online (71%), and online banking (60%)," 

"Applications where users of fibre broadband services can see tangible benefits include watching and downloading video content as well as online gaming," added OpenNet, so focusing on how fibre optic broadband improves these applications should help increase adoption.

The recent efforts to match the desired price point for fibre broadband -- Singaporeans are only willing to pay $40-$50 monthly for a fibre broadband plan -- should also boost usage.

A lukewarm 10,000 new users have been signing up for optical broadband services since June 2011, according to estimates from OpenNet.