Singtel sees MyRepublic’s cheap data plan and raises a data doubler

It’s raining mobile data in Singapore today. Hot on the heels of startup telco MyRepublic’s call for registration of interest on a 2GB for S$8 (US$5.80) per month plan, Singaporean telco Singtel announced it will offer double the data with DataX2.

DataX2 is a service that allows mobile users to double their mobile data allowance by paying an extra S$5.90 (US$4.30) per month on top of their monthly fee. So if a user is on a plan with 3GB, the extra fee gives them 6GB per month. The feature is available to users who sign up for, or renew their Singtel contract on one of the telco’s Combo Mobile Plans.

Update, 10/3: Rival telco M1 has also come out with its own data add-on, called Upsized Data. For the same amount of S$5.90 per month, it will offer subscribers, both new and those renewing their contracts, the chance to increase their available data by up to 12GB, depending on the plan they’re on. For example, customers on a 3GB plan can get an extra 2GB, those on a 5GB plan get an extra 4GB, and so on.

M1 also introduced new SIM-only plans and increased data allowances for its current ones.

It’s little wonder that telcos are doubling down on data. With mobile users increasingly moving online for everything from work to entertainment, a robust data infrastructure and competitive pricing become key features in their service.

Users also turn toward online services like WhatsApp, Skype, and Line more and more for their messages and voice calls. This makes mobile data packages much more attractive than outgoing voice call time or SMS message ones.

With MyRepublic readying its launch as Singapore’s fourth telco, it will be no surprise to see rivals upping their game in readiness for the startup’s proposed unlimited data plan.

Converted from Singapore dollars. US$1 = S$1.39