StarHub UltraSpeed 10Gbps Broadband: XGS-PON vs GPON

Next-generation 10Gbps broadband is now available in Singapore, and here’s why StarHub’s UltraSpeed Network is the best way to experience it.

Whether terms like “symmetrical speeds,” UltraSpeed, or XG(S)-PON sound overwhelming, don’t worry—this guide breaks it all down for you. From the “what” to the “why” and even the “how,” we’re here to help you understand and enjoy the benefits of ultra-fast internet speeds.

🚀 The Tech behind UltraSpeed: XGSPON

So, what powers the UltraSpeed Network? The answer is XGSPON - short for 10 Gigabit Symmetric Passive Optical Network.

Let’s break it down:

• The “X” stands for 10 (referring to 10 Gigabits per second).
• The “G” means Gigabit.
• The “S” stands for Symmetrical, meaning both upload and download speeds can reach an impressive 10Gbps.

🆚 XGSPON vs. XGPON vs. GPON

To better understand how XGSPON stands out, let's compare it with GPON (Gigabit Passive Optical Network) and XGPON. Currently, GPON is the most widely used technology for broadband connections, but it has its limits:

Key Differences:

• XGS-PON delivers symmetrical speeds of 10Gbps for both download and upload.
• XG-PON offers 10Gbps download speeds but only 2.5Gbps upload.
• GPON, the current standard, has 2.5Gbps download and 1.25Gbps upload—far slower than the newer technologies.

Think of it like upgrading from a two-lane street (GPON) to a ten-lane expressway (XGS-PON). This leap in performance eliminates bottlenecks, ensuring a faster, more reliable connection for everything you do online. Whether you're streaming 8K content, uploading large work files, or managing your smart home, XGSPON ensures your UltraSpeed connection stays fast and lag-free.

⚖️ Symmetrical Speeds: Equal Upload & Download

With UltraSpeed, you get symmetrical speeds, which means your upload speeds are just as fast as your download speeds. For example, a 500/500 Mbps connection gives you 500 Mbps for both downloading and uploading.

• Download: Stream movies, download files, or play games faster.
• Upload: Share videos, back up photos, or video call in crystal clear quality without delays.

In contrast, traditional internet connections, like ADSL, are asymmetrical, where upload speeds are much slower than download speeds. For example, a 60/3 Mbps connection means 60 Mbps download and only 3 Mbps upload.

🌟 Why Symmetrical Speeds Matter?

• Faster (and larger) File Uploads 💪
  Tired of waiting forever to upload files or back up to the cloud? With symmetrical speeds, you upload just as fast as you download, so you can finally get those large files and projects off your to-do list.

• No Internet Bottlenecks 🚫
  Slow uploads and dropped video calls often happen because your upload bandwidth gets “clogged” during heavy use. Symmetrical speeds eliminate this bottleneck, keeping everything running smoothly even during peak usage.

• Reliable Cloud Access ☁️
  If you depend on cloud services for work, symmetrical speeds ensure you can access and upload data to the cloud seamlessly. No delays, no disruptions—just smooth, reliable connectivity.

⚡️ How Fast is 10Gbps Internet?

Let’s put 10Gbps speeds into perspective: a standard 1Gbps broadband connection downloads data at 125MB/s, while 10Gbps offers a massive 1.25GB/s. That’s a tenfold increase!

Real-World Download Speed

• 4K Movie (~50GB) 🎬
  With 10Gbps, downloading a 50GB 4K movie takes less than a minute. On slower connections, this could take much longer—possibly upwards of 10 minutes or more, depending on the connection speed. With 10Gbps, you can be enjoying your movie almost immediately, with no buffering or waiting time.

• AAA Video Game (~100GB) 🎮
  Modern video games are growing larger and larger, with many AAA titles exceeding 100GB in size. On a 1Gbps connection, it could take over an hour or more to download and fully install these massive files. But with 10Gbps, you can download a game of this size in just over a minute, ensuring you’re ready to play without prolonged waiting.

• 1000 High-Resolution Photos (~10GB) 📸
  If you’re a photographer or working with high-quality images, downloading a collection of 1000 high-resolution photos (around 10GB) can take a significant amount of time on slower connections. With 10Gbps, this task takes less than 10 seconds, allowing you to quickly access and share your files without delay.

Should you get 10Gbps Broadband?

Between faster data transfers, smoother online experiences and higher efficiency across the board for all sorts of different digital tasks, the short answer is yes

Considering our growing reliance on today’s smart devices and digital content as a whole, the average household might soon need far more bandwidth than what our existing subscriptions can comfortably accommodate.

Yet, regardless of which broadband option you choose, rest assured you’ll be in great hands with StarHub and the UltraSpeed Network. We’re continuously working to bring you even better and smoother experiences for you and your loved ones, and we hope this guide has cleared up most of the questions you might have had on the topic.

If you’d like to take a closer look at any of the aforementioned products, feel free to stop by our UltraSpeed page.