MyRepublic explained

MyRepublic Group Limited is a Singaporean communications service provider. Launched in 2011, MyRepublic currently operates in Singapore and licenses its platform to operators in Brunei and Indonesia through its joint venture with Sinar Mas.

MyRepublic Group Limited is a group of companies that includes the following business units:

• MyRepublic offers broadband, phone, and cloud services.
• MyRepublic Digital offers digital platform services.

History

2011

• MyRepublic was founded by Malcolm Rodrigues, a former Vice President of StarHub International and Wholesale; KC Lai, a former StarHub Senior VP of Consumer Sales; and Greg Mittman, previously a lead of Alcatel-Lucent's National Broadband Network Team, on 25 July 2011.^{[1] [2]}
• Shortly after MyRepublic was incorporated, the corporate office in Singapore was set up, and hires were made in the engineering and operations teams.
• In May 2011, MyRepublic reached 1,000 subscribers in Singapore.
• MyRepublic became a licensed telecommunications carrier in Singapore in October 2011 and signed the Interconnection Agreement with the National Broadband Company in Singapore shortly after.
• A soft launch of MyRepublic took place in mid-December 2011.

2012

• MyRepublic launched its operations in Singapore on February 16, 2012, with 22 full-time staff and less than 100 subscribers on the network.^[3]
• By the end of 2012, MyRepublic had 450 resellers, 10,000 subscribers, and more than S$5 million in revenue. Rodrigues attributed the company's growth to its "thin operator model," which is unburdened by costly legacy infrastructure.

2014

• MyRepublic began expanding its operations overseas, with the first expansion to New Zealand in January 2014.^[4]
• In January 2014, MyRepublic launched a 1 Gbps service for a S$49.95/month plan—a first in the industry and Southeast Asia.^[5]
• In May 2014, the company received an investment of S$4.4 million from Indonesian energy company Dian Swastatika Sentosa, part of Indonesian conglomerate Sinar Mas.^[6]
• In July, the company received another S$30 million investment. Sunshine Network, a telecommunications arm of Sinar Mas, invested S$20 million, while Xavier Niel, founder of French telecommunications company Free, invested S$10 million.^{[7] [8]}

2015

• MyRepublic expanded its operations to Indonesia in July to an initial nine locations.^[9]
• MyRepublic announced plans to expand and launch its services in Australia in August.^[10]
• In September, MyRepublic raised S$23 million in capital, including investment from Brunei's leading telecommunications provider, DST, a major investor.^[11]
• In October, MyRepublic held a Mobility Trial as part of IMDA's trial of HetNet, or heterogeneous network, in Jurong Lake District. The trial was limited to 1,000 trial users and confined to specific areas such as malls, public housing blocks, bus interchanges, and MRT train stations.^[12]

2016

• In March, MyRepublic launched a self-service plug-and-play wide area network (WAN) service for businesses.^[13]
• In November, MyRepublic officially launched its operations in Australia.^[14]

2017

• In July, MyRepublic officially connected the first town in Australia (Wollongong, NSW) to consumer-grade NBN 1 Gbps connections.^[15]
• In September, MyRepublic was named one of the 2017 winners of the Red Hat Innovation Awards APAC for Singapore for its outstanding and innovative use of Red Hat solutions..^[16]

2018

• In February, MyRepublic was ranked #64 on the Financial Times' inaugural List of the Top 1000 fastest-growing companies in Asia-Pacific.^[17]
• In March, Eugene Yeo, the CIO for MyRepublic, was nominated as a finalist for CIO of the Year by TM Forum, alongside the CIOs for British Telecom, T-Mobile USA, Bharti Airtel, and China Unicom.
• Launched MyRepublic Connected Business, a streamlined networking solution designed to meet the end-to-end needs of Retail, F&B and Hospitality businesses in partnership with Cisco Meraki in May.^{[18] [19]}
• Announced its Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) partnership with StarHub in May to utilize StarHub's mobile network infrastructure to offer mobile services in Singapore.^[20]
• In June, MyRepublic announced US$60m in new investment from CLSA Capital Partners, the asset management business of CLSA, Asia's leading capital markets and investment group, and Kamet Capital Partners, a Singapore family office.^{[21] [22]}

2019

• In September, Brunei's largest mobile operator, DST, selected MyRepublic as its partner to manage Brunei's telecom infrastructure carveout and the DST transformation to a quad-play thin operator.^[23]

2020

• In February, MyRepublic Singapore commissioned its first Wi-Fi 6 (AX) managed Wi-Fi network for its enterprise customers.
• In April, MyRepublic Singapore installed and commissioned a managed Wi-Fi network serving thousands of users in less than 14 days during the COVID-19 Circuit Breaker period.^{[24] [25]}
• In October, MyRepublic and M1 Limited (M1) signed an agreement for MyRepublic to deliver an enhanced suite of mobile services as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) using M1's mobile network infrastructure.^[26]

2021

• In March, the rebranding campaign of MyRepublic was launched, appearing across MRT stations and digital channels.^[27]
• Later, in May, it launched a self-serve SIM card activation service for new mobile customers.^{[28] [29]}
• At the same time, MyRepublic refreshed its SMB and enterprise service offerings, which included Microsoft 365, Teams, and a cybersecurity suite designed in partnership with IT solutions provider Inspira Enterprise.^[30]
• In September, StarHub acquired the majority interest in MyRepublic's broadband business, bringing its total investment to $162.8 million. MyRepublic's other business units, mobile, Australia, and New Zealand, and its Platform business, later known as MyRepublic Digital, remained fully owned by MyRepublic Group.

2022

• In September, MyRepublic Group launched MyRepublic Digital, a platform-as-a-service spin-off company, and its flagship product, Encore, a cloud-native digital platform.^{[31] [32]}
• In December 2022, MyRepublic sold its customer contracts to Superloop and no longer operates in Australia.^[33]

2023

• In July 2023, MyRepublic announced that it no longer provides services in New Zealand and sold its broadband customer contracts to 2degrees.^[34]
• In November 2023, MyRepublic New Zealand rebranded to Rocket Mobile and started offering mobile plans in New Zealand.^[35]

2024

• MyRepublic enhances its fixed broadband Internet plans with bundled Wi-Fi 7 routers offering speeds of up to 10Gbps.^[36]

Markets

Singapore

Consumer broadband

MyRepublic offers fibre broadband and voice services to residential customers in Singapore over the country's Next-Generation Nationwide Broadband Network (Next Gen NBN). In 2012, the company launched in Singapore with fibre broadband Internet plans offering speeds of up to 150 Mbit/s and the country's first no-contract term Internet plans.

In February 2012, MyRepublic rolled out its GAMER fibre broadband packages, becoming Singapore's first Internet service provider to offer fibre broadband plans specifically catered towards gamers. MyRepublic is most well-known for its GAMER fibre broadband package, which features lower latency for popular games.

In May 2015, MyRepublic launched the first-ever 1 Gbps no-contract fibre broadband plan in Singapore. The plan targets users who want greater flexibility and are unwilling to commit to a 12—or 24-month contract.

According to the internet analysis firm's Q4 Speedtest, in September 2021, MyRepublic became the country's fastest provider, recording a Speed Score of 258.01.^[37]

Enterprise Connectivity

The company also offers fibre broadband, voice, and managed Wi-Fi services to business customers nationwide.

In 2016, it launched MySDN, its first enterprise connectivity service, available to customers across the region, including Singapore, Indonesia, and New Zealand.

In 2022, MyRepublic announced the launch of Ignite, a brand-new suite of enterprise ICT (Information and Communications Technology) specialized for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Singapore.^[38]

MyRepublic Digital

MyRepublic Digital is a spin-off company of MyRepublic that aims to simplify and increase the productivity of digital transformation for telcos and aspiring digital brands worldwide. The company's product is Encore, a cloud-native digital platform-as-a-service with OSS/BSS features.

MyRepublic Digital is helmed by Jason Ong, previously APAC (Asia Pacific) region head of Tech Mahindra.^[39]

Bid to be Singapore's fourth telco

In 2014, MyRepublic announced its interest in being Singapore's 4th telco,^[40] after Singtel, StarHub, and M1, promising to introduce unlimited mobile data plans as a telco.

In April 2015, MyRepublic announced plans to hold a mobility trial in Jurong Lake District^[41] in the second half of 2015 as part of the Government's trial of HetNet,^[42] or heterogeneous network. HetNet is a new wireless system that leveraged NBN as part of a mobile network, allowing mobile phone users to hop across networks to minimize surfing slowdowns or disruptions automatically. As part of the trial, MyRepublic gave out 1,000 free SIM cards with unlimited 4G data to trial participants in the coverage area.

In September 2015, the company submitted its bid for the New Entrant Spectrum Auction (NESA) and two other companies - Australian telco TPG Telecom and Singapore start-up airYotta. Of the three, only MyRepublic and TPG were pre-qualified to participate in the NESA.

MyRepublic participated in the NESA in December 2016 but ultimately exited the auction at S$102.5 million and ceded the license to TPG, citing concerns that bidding higher would not make sense for its business case.

In May 2017, reports emerged that MyRepublic was looking for private equity backing to bid for Singaporean telecommunications company M1. This would allow it to get back into the Singapore Telco market despite losing the fourth telco license. In a press conference later that year, MyRepublic confirmed the report but added that it was no longer interested in buying M1 and would seek to offer mobile services as a virtual network operator (MVNO) instead.

Mobile services offering

In May 2018, MyRepublic announced that it had formed a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) agreement with local telco StarHub, enabling it to offer services using StarHub's mobile infrastructure. In June 2018, MyRepublic rolled out three new mobile price plans, starting from S$35/month. For a "boundless" data offering, the plans allowed customers to continue to consume data at reduced speeds once they hit the data limit of their plans without additional charges.

In October 2020, MyRepublic and M1 Limited (M1) signed an agreement for MyRepublic to deliver an enhanced suite of mobile services as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) using M1's mobile network infrastructure.

In January 2023, MyRepublic announced its foray into 5G and introduced its 5G plan offerings using StarHub's 5G Standalone/4G/3G infrastructure. MyRepublic's 4G plan offerings will continue using M1's 4G/3G infrastructure.^[43]

Gigatown competition

In 2017, MyRepublic launched the "Gigatown" Competition to connect Australia's first town to consumer-grade 1 Gbps gigabit service. MyRepublic wanted to demonstrate the benefits of ultra-fast next-generation fiber and the benefits it could deliver to consumers and small businesses.^[44] MyRepublic ran the Gigatown petition and gathered over 6,000 responses from individuals who expressed their feelings towards how they felt about their current internet speeds. MyRepublic began offering their 1 Gbit/s speed tier packages to Wollongong at A$129/month with unlimited data as part of their Gigatown Competition. At the end of 2017, MyRepublic expanded and launched NBN Small Business products to market.^[45]

MyRepublic announced to its customers on 24 January 2023 that it would be exiting the Australian fixed broadband market and transferring customers to Superloop.

Indonesia

In July 2015, MyRepublic launched in Indonesia, marking MyRepublic's second overseas expansion after New Zealand. MyRepublic began offering broadband services in nine areas in Indonesia.^[46]

In 2021, MyRepublic Indonesia targeted enterprise space and increased its service offerings for this customer sector to include cybersecurity.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Tech in Asia - Connecting Asia's startup ecosystem . 2022-10-04 . www.techinasia.com . en-US.
2. Web site: StarHub to acquire control of MyRepublic's broadband unit . 2022-10-04 . www.businesstimes.com.sg.
3. Web site: Auto . Hermes . 2021-09-22 . StarHub to buy majority stake in MyRepublic's Singapore broadband business The Straits Times . 2022-10-04 . www.straitstimes.com . en.
4. Web site: Hou. Joy. 2014-01-23. MyRepublic Enters New Zealand Ultra-Fast Broadband Market. 2017-06-08. Hardwarezone.
5. Web site: . 2014-01-14. Singapore's cheapest 1Gbps broadband service unveiled. 2017-06-08. TODAYonline.
6. Web site: Dian Swastatika Investasi di MyRepublic Indotelko. 2020-09-25. www.indotelko.com. id.
7. Web site: Singapore's MyRepublic receives SGD30m from investors as it looks to 'break' local market . 2022-10-04.
8. Web site: Tech in Asia - Connecting Asia's startup ecosystem . 2022-10-04 . www.techinasia.com . en-US.
9. Web site: Bushell-Embling. Dylan. 2015-07-03. Singapore's MyRepublic launches in Indonesia. 2017-06-08. Telecom Asia.
10. Web site: Bogle. Ariel. Singaporean Internet startup MyRepublic to launch in Australia. 2020-09-25. Mashable. 11 August 2015 . en.
11. Web site: Yap. Shiwen. 2015-09-25. MyRepublic raises $16m, aims to become Singapore's 4th telco. 2017-06-08. DealStreetAsia.
12. Web site: Tham. Irene. 2015-10-23. MyRepublic starts 4G trials as part of bid for fourth telco licence. 2017-06-08. The Straits Times.
13. Web site: 2016-03-03 . MyRepublic launches plug-and-play WAN service . 2022-10-04 . Digital News Asia . en.
14. Web site: Lui. Spandas. 2016-11-04. MyRepublic Unleashes 100Mbps Unlimited NBN Broadband For $59.95 Per Month. 2017-06-08. Lifehacker Australia.
15. Web site: Reichert. Corinne. 2017-06-02. MyRepublic to launch 1Gbps NBN service in Wollongong. 2017-06-08. ZDNet.
16. Web site: DBS Bank and MyRepublic honored as Red Hat Innovation Awards APAC Winners for 2017 . 2022-10-04 . www.redhat.com . 11 October 2017 . en.
17. Web site: FT 1000: High-Growth Companies Asia-Pacific . 2022-10-04 . ig.ft.com . 11 February 2018 . en-GB.
18. Web site: Auto . Hermes . 2018-06-21 . MyRepublic moves into telco space, launching 3 mobile plans for all users The Straits Times . 2022-10-04 . www.straitstimes.com . en.
19. Web site: MyRepublic . 2018-09-13 . MyRepublic: Business growth through next-generation connectivity . 2022-10-04 . Tech Wire Asia . en-US.
20. Web site: Auto . Hermes . 2018-05-03 . MyRepublic named StarHub's first mobile virtual network operator The Straits Times . 2022-10-04 . www.straitstimes.com . en.
21. Web site: Auto . Hermes . 2018-06-05 . MyRepublic bags fresh US$60m investment, announces plans for Hong Kong IPO The Straits Times . 2022-10-04 . www.straitstimes.com . en.
22. Web site: How MyRepublic is embracing the cloud, open source and disruptive tech . 2022-10-04 . channelasia.tech.
23. Web site: 2019-09-03. UNN takes over all telco infrastructure in Brunei. 2020-09-25. The Scoop. en-GB.
24. Web site: Containing COVID-19 spread at foreign worker dormitories. 2020-09-25. www.gov.sg. en.
25. Web site: S Iswaran: S'pore govt working to provide all foreign worker dorms with WiFi access within 2 weeks. 2020-09-25. mothership.sg. en.
26. Web site: MyRepublic adds M1 as MVNO partner . 2022-10-04 . www.businesstimes.com.sg.
27. Web site: MyRepublic Singapore refreshes brand identity as it turns 9 . 2022-10-04 . www.marketing-interactive.com . 30 April 2021 . en-gb.
28. Web site: MyRepublic targets enterprise, cybersecurity markets in Singapore . 2022-10-04 . ZDNET . en.
29. Web site: MyRepublic adds eSIMs to its stable of customer offerings for Singapore customers . 2022-10-04 . www.hardwarezone.com.sg . en.
30. Web site: MyRepublic launches SMB services around the Cloud and security . 2022-10-04 . www.hardwarezone.com.sg . en.
31. Web site: MyRepublic spins off digital platform business ahead of planned IPO . 2022-10-04 . www.businesstimes.com.sg.
32. Web site: MyRepublic debuts cloud-native platform-as-a-service company MyRepublic Digital . 2022-10-04 . sg.finance.yahoo.com . 5 September 2022 . en-SG.
33. Web site: MyRepublic exits Australia broadband market to refocus on 'profitability' . 2023-07-31 . ZDNET . en.
34. Web site: MyRepublic exits NZ, 2degrees buys its broadband customers . 2023-07-31 . www.reseller.co.nz.
35. Rocket Mobile Launched In New Zealand . Scoop News . 2023-12-15.
36. Web site: Liu . Hongzuo . 21 Feb 2024 . MyRepublic updates 10Gbps fixed broadband Internet plans with bundled Wi-Fi 7 routers .
37. Web site: MyRepublic Dethrones ViewQuest As Fastest Singapore ISP in Latest Speedtest by Ookla . 2022-10-04 . www.tech360.tv.
38. Web site: MyRepublic expands SMB offerings to the theme of Ignite . 2022-10-04 . www.hardwarezone.com.sg . en.
39. Web site: MyRepublic spins off digital platform business ahead of planned IPO . 2022-10-04 . www.businesstimes.com.sg.
40. Web site: MyRepublic aims to be 4th telco, but expects resistance. 2020-09-25. TODAYonline.
41. Web site: Hee. Jolene. 2015-04-28. MyRepublic's 1,000 Free SIM Cards: How To Get One, And What You Need To Know. 2020-09-25. Vulcan Post. en-US.
42. Web site: 2015-04-22. HetNet trial at Jurong Lake District to begin in Q3, involves all three telcos and MyRepublic. 2020-09-25. The Straits Times. en.
43. Web site: Yoo . Tony . 2016-11-04 . This ISP will offer unlimited data at maximum NBN speed for $60 per month . https://web.archive.org/web/20161104154942/http://www.businessinsider.com.au/this-isp-is-coming-to-australia-offering-unlimited-data-at-maximum-nbn-speed-for-60-per-month-2016-11 . dead . 4 November 2016 . 2020-09-25 . Business Insider Australia . en.
44. Web site: Dinham. Peter. iTWire - MyRepublic launches 'Gigatown' competition for ultra-fast Internet. 2020-09-25. www.itwire.com. en-gb.
45. Web site: 2018-07-18 . MyRepublic expands to business market in Australia Telecom Asia . 2022-10-04 . www.telecomasia.net . en.
46. Web site: MyRepublic launches Indonesian fibre service . 2022-10-04.