SIMBA Telecom
A Singaporean telecommunications operator providing mobile, 5G and broadband services.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
SIMBA Telecom, legally SIMBA Telecom Pte Ltd, is a Singaporean telecommunications operator and one of the country's four major telecommunications companies. The business began as TPG Singapore, the Singapore operation established by Australian businessman David Teoh after TPG secured a new entrant spectrum allocation and Singapore telecommunications licence in 2016. Its entry introduced a fourth nationwide mobile operator into a market previously dominated by the established carriers. TPG Singapore won the fourth telecommunications licence through Singapore's New Entrant Spectrum Auction in December 2016, paying S$105 million for its allocation. The company received 60 MHz of spectrum, with spectrum rights beginning in April 2017, and was expected to achieve nationwide street-level coverage within 18 months of the start of those rights. Before commercial launch, it conducted a large-scale network trial. A participant programme announced in late 2018 and expanded in 2019 allowed the company to test its network and service model with consumers. The early rollout relied on Voice over LTE rather than a traditional circuit-switched voice network. This created initial activation and compatibility problems because many handsets did not yet contain the required operator configuration profile. Support improved as handset manufacturers incorporated the profile into their operating systems; Apple added the relevant profile in September 2019. Independent network testing during the pre-commercial period reported that TPG Singapore's speeds and connectivity lagged those of the incumbent operators, highlighting the technical and commercial challenge of entering a mature market. TPG launched commercial mobile service in March 2020. Later that year, the restructuring of its Australian parent company's business changed the ownership and corporate relationship of the Singapore operation. TPG Telecom Australia's merger with Vodafone Hutchison Australia created the Australian-listed TPG Telecom, while the Singapore business was separated and placed under Tuas Limited, a company associated with David Teoh. The Singapore operation retained time-limited rights to use the TPG name, but it no longer formed part of the merged Australian telecommunications company in the same way as before. The operator expanded its spectrum position in November 2021 when Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority provisionally awarded it two 5 MHz lots in the 2.1 GHz band for 5G services. The allocation carried an obligation to roll out 5G islandwide by the end of 2026. In April 2022, after the TPG branding rights expired, the company adopted the SIMBA Telecom name. The rebrand marked its transition from a newly entered mobile challenger operating under a borrowed group brand to a standalone Singapore telecommunications identity. SIMBA subsequently broadened beyond mobile connectivity. In 2023, it announced plans to enter Singapore's internet-service-provider market, initially offering 2.5 Gbit/s broadband by using existing local network infrastructure. Its broadband portfolio was later upgraded to speeds of up to 10 Gbit/s in the context of a government-supported initiative that provided subsidies to local broadband operators. In September 2023, SIMBA upgraded all of its 4G plans to support 5G, making fifth-generation access part of its mainstream mobile proposition rather than a separate premium capability. The company has also participated in telecommunications policy discussions. In March 2023, it responded to an IMDA consultation concerning allocation of the 6 GHz band, arguing for technology-neutral spectrum policy and a balanced framework intended to support innovation and competition. By 2025, SIMBA was reported to hold approximately 11 percent of Singapore's local telecommunications market. Its position is that of a value-oriented challenger combining mobile, 5G and high-speed fixed broadband while continuing to build network coverage and scale. In August 2025, Keppel announced a proposed sale of its effective 83.9 percent stake in M1 to SIMBA. The proposed transaction concerned M1's telecommunications business, while Keppel was to retain M1's enterprise business, and required IMDA approval. In May 2026, IMDA suspended its assessment after identifying a potential regulatory breach. Later that day, Keppel stated that it would allow the transaction to lapse at the applicable deadline. This proposed acquisition therefore did not become an established part of SIMBA's ownership structure in the available account.
History
SIMBA Telecom originated as TPG Singapore, the Singapore branch established by Australian telecommunications entrepreneur David Teoh. Its creation followed Singapore's decision to introduce a fourth mobile telecommunications operator through a new entrant spectrum process. On 14 December 2016, TPG was announced as the successful bidder for the fourth telecommunications licence, paying S$105 million, substantially above the S$35 million reserve price. The company was provisionally allocated 60 MHz of spectrum, with usage rights beginning in April 2017. The licence required the new operator to build nationwide street-level coverage within 18 months of the start of its spectrum rights. Rather than immediately launch a full commercial service, TPG conducted a large public trial. In December 2018 it invited 20,000 participants to join a year-long trial, and a further recruitment exercise took place in March 2019 as the commercial launch was deferred to 2020. The trial exposed compatibility issues connected to the company's use of Voice over LTE. Many existing handsets lacked the operator configuration profile necessary for voice service, although this problem was progressively addressed through operating-system updates and manufacturer support. Network testing during 2019 found that TPG Singapore's speeds and connectivity were weaker than those of established Singaporean operators. The results illustrated the disadvantages faced by a new entrant building coverage and customer scale against incumbent networks. TPG nonetheless proceeded with a commercial launch in March 2020, establishing itself as the fourth major telecommunications operator in Singapore. The corporate structure changed during 2020. TPG Telecom Australia's merger with Vodafone Hutchison Australia produced the Australian-listed TPG Telecom. The Singapore business was separated from the merged entity and operated under Tuas Limited, which had been incorporated in Australia in March 2020 in preparation for the demerger. The Singapore business retained rights to use the TPG brand through June 2022, but its corporate path diverged from that of the merged Australian operator. In November 2021, Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority provisionally awarded TPG Singapore two 5 MHz lots in the 2.1 GHz band for 5G services. The operator was given the right to begin providing 5G services from 1 January 2022 and was required to complete an islandwide rollout by the end of 2026. After the TPG naming rights expired, the company rebranded as SIMBA Telecom in April 2022. The SIMBA brand expanded into fixed broadband in 2023. The company announced an ISP business offering 2.5 Gbit/s service through existing Singapore network infrastructure. It later increased broadband offerings to as much as 10 Gbit/s in the context of a government initiative supporting local broadband operators. In September 2023, all SIMBA 4G plans were upgraded to support 5G. The company also took part in public spectrum-policy discussions, including an IMDA consultation on the 6 GHz band. Its submission supported technology-neutral allocation and a balanced approach intended to promote competition and innovation. By 2025, SIMBA was reported to have approximately 11 percent of Singapore's local telecommunications market. In August of that year, Keppel announced a proposed transaction under which SIMBA would acquire Keppel's effective 83.9 percent stake in M1's telecommunications business, while Keppel would retain M1's enterprise business. The proposal required regulatory approval. In May 2026, IMDA suspended its assessment after identifying a potential regulatory breach, and Keppel later indicated that the deal would be allowed to lapse. The available account therefore leaves SIMBA as an independent Singapore operator rather than an owner of M1.
- 2025
Proposed acquisition of M1 stake
[1]Keppel announced a proposed sale of its effective 83.9 percent stake in M1's telecommunications business to SIMBA, subject to regulatory approval.
- 2023
Broadband market entry
[1]SIMBA announced 2.5 Gbit/s broadband service as it entered Singapore's ISP market, later expanding advertised speeds to 10 Gbit/s.
- 2023
5G access extended across 4G plans
[1]SIMBA upgraded all of its 4G plans to support 5G.
- 2022
SIMBA rebrand
[1]TPG Singapore adopted the SIMBA Telecom name after its rights to use the TPG brand expired.
- 2021
2.1 GHz 5G spectrum allocation
[1]IMDA provisionally awarded the operator two 5 MHz lots in the 2.1 GHz band for 5G services.
- 2020
Commercial mobile launch
[1]TPG Singapore launched commercial telecommunications service in March.
- 2020
Separation under Tuas Limited
[1]The Singapore business was separated from the corporate structure created by the TPG Telecom and Vodafone Hutchison Australia merger.
- 2018
Public network trial announced
[1]TPG Singapore opened recruitment for a large year-long consumer trial involving up to 20,000 participants.
- 2017
Spectrum rights commence
[1]The spectrum rights associated with TPG Singapore's new entrant allocation began in April, starting the period for network construction and coverage obligations.
- 2016
TPG wins Singapore's fourth telecommunications licence
[1]TPG secured the fourth Singapore telecommunications licence and a provisional 60 MHz spectrum allocation through the New Entrant Spectrum Auction.
Products and positioning
A Singapore-focused challenger telecommunications operator competing through mobile, 5G and high-speed broadband services, with an emphasis on network expansion, service convergence and competition with incumbent carriers.
Mobile telecommunications · 2020
SIMBA mobile plans
SIMBA's mobile plans provide cellular voice and data connectivity in Singapore. The company's original network used Voice over LTE for voice communications, and the service evolved from a new entrant trial into a commercial nationwide offering. In September 2023, SIMBA upgraded all 4G plans to support 5G, making 5G access part of its broader mobile portfolio. Specific plan prices, allowances and contractual terms are not specified in the available source material.
5G mobile network · 2022
SIMBA 5G services
SIMBA's 5G service is supported by spectrum in the 2.1 GHz band provisionally awarded by IMDA in 2021. The allocation gave the operator the right to provide 5G services from January 2022 and included an islandwide rollout obligation for the end of 2026. SIMBA later extended 5G support across its 4G plan portfolio, positioning the technology as a standard component of its consumer mobile offer.
Fixed broadband · 2023
SIMBA home broadband
SIMBA entered Singapore's ISP market in 2023 with a broadband service advertised at 2.5 Gbit/s. The offering used existing network infrastructure and was later upgraded to support speeds of up to 10 Gbit/s in the context of a government initiative providing subsidies to local broadband operators. The available material does not specify the full product range, equipment, pricing or contract terms.
Brand decisions
2025
Propose acquisition of Keppel's M1 telecommunications stakeM&ABackground
Keppel announced a transaction that would transfer its effective 83.9 percent stake in M1's telecommunications business to SIMBA, subject to IMDA approval.
Action taken
SIMBA agreed to pursue the proposed acquisition while Keppel planned to retain M1's enterprise business.
Aftermath
IMDA suspended its assessment in May 2026 after identifying a potential regulatory breach, and Keppel later said the transaction would be allowed to lapse.
2023
Enter the fixed broadband marketProduct launchBackground
SIMBA sought to extend its business beyond mobile telecommunications and use existing Singapore network infrastructure.
Action taken
The company announced a 2.5 Gbit/s broadband service and subsequently upgraded offerings to speeds of up to 10 Gbit/s.
Aftermath
SIMBA became a converged telecommunications provider with both mobile and fixed broadband products.
2021
Develop a 5G network using 2.1 GHz spectrumGeneration changeBackground
IMDA made additional 2.1 GHz spectrum available for 5G services and required the operator to meet an islandwide rollout obligation.
Action taken
SIMBA's predecessor received two provisional 5 MHz spectrum lots and the right to begin 5G service from 1 January 2022.
Aftermath
5G became part of SIMBA's service portfolio, with all 4G plans later upgraded to support 5G.
2020
Separate the Singapore operation from merged Australian TPG TelecomM&ABackground
TPG Australia's merger with Vodafone Hutchison Australia created a new Australian-listed TPG Telecom structure.
Action taken
The Singapore operation was demerged and operated under Tuas Limited, retaining temporary rights to use the TPG name.
Aftermath
The Singapore business became operationally distinct from the merged Australian telecommunications company and later adopted the SIMBA name.
2016
Enter Singapore as a fourth mobile operatorStrategyBackground
Singapore opened a new entrant spectrum process to increase competition in its mobile telecommunications market.
Action taken
TPG bid successfully for the fourth telecommunications licence and a 60 MHz spectrum allocation.
Aftermath
The decision led to network trials, a commercial launch in 2020 and the establishment of a fourth major operator.
Licence and spectrum payment. S$105 million (2016)
Recent events
- 2026
IMDA suspends assessment of proposed M1 transaction[1]
Regulation · M&A · Other
IMDA suspended its assessment after identifying a potential regulatory breach; Keppel subsequently said it would allow the proposed transaction to lapse.
- 2025
Keppel announces proposed sale of M1 stake to SIMBA[1]
M&A
Keppel announced a proposed sale of its effective 83.9 percent stake in M1's telecommunications business to SIMBA, subject to IMDA approval.
- 2023
SIMBA enters Singapore's broadband market[1]
Product launch
SIMBA announced entry into the ISP market with a 2.5 Gbit/s broadband service and subsequently expanded advertised speeds to as much as 10 Gbit/s.
- 2023
SIMBA upgrades all 4G plans to support 5G[1]
Product generation
The operator made 5G support available across its 4G plan portfolio.
- 2022
TPG Singapore rebrands as SIMBA Telecom[1]
Other
The company changed its branding after its contractual rights to use the TPG name in Singapore expired.
- 2021
TPG Singapore receives provisional 2.1 GHz 5G spectrum allocation[1]
Product generation · Regulation
IMDA provisionally awarded TPG Singapore two 5 MHz lots in the 2.1 GHz band, with a nationwide 5G rollout obligation.
- 2020
TPG begins commercial mobile service in Singapore[1]
Product launch
TPG Singapore launched commercial mobile services after a multi-year network trial and rollout period.
- 2020
Singapore operation separates from merged Australian TPG Telecom structure[1]
M&A
Following the merger of TPG Australia and Vodafone Hutchison Australia, the Singapore operation was separated and operated under Tuas Limited.
- 2016
TPG secures Singapore's fourth telecommunications licence[1]
Other
TPG won the new entrant telecommunications licence and 60 MHz of spectrum in Singapore's auction, paying S$105 million.
Sources1 sources
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