SingAREN

What SingAREN does

SingAREN (Singapore Advanced Research and Education Network) is Singapore's designated national research and education network, registered as a not-for-profit society on 30 September 2003 and operating from premises at A*STAR Computational Resource Centre (A*CRC). It serves as the sole provider of dedicated local and international network infrastructure for Singapore's Institutions of Higher Learning, Research Organizations, Government agencies, and network industry partners. Its core offerings include the SingAREN Open Exchange (SOE)—a regional Point of Presence located at Global Switch TaiSeng and Equinix SG3 that interconnects Singapore's R&E community to international RENs across Asia, Australia, Europe, and the USA—and the SingAREN Lightwave Internet Exchange (SLIX), a Ciena 6500-based optical DWDM backbone connecting member institutions such as NUS, NTU, and A*STAR. Supporting value-added services include eduroam, FileSender SG, Database Mirroring, Singapore Access Federation (SGAF), and eduGAIN.

The underlying technology architecture combines DWDM optical transport, MPLS routing, Science DMZ patterns, and Data Transfer Nodes supporting 10-100 Gbps scientific data movement, with the SLIX backbone currently scaling toward 400G capacity via Arista 7050DX4-32S 400G switches and 400G ZR QSFP-56DD coherent transceivers (first phase commissioned February 2025; full 400G backbone expected Q4 2026). International connectivity is delivered through co-funded 100G links to the USA (with Internet2), Japan/Hong Kong (with NICT/SINET/JUCC), and Europe (CAE-1 with GÉANT and SURF), with redundancy provided by membership in the 10-partner Asia-Pacific-Europe Ring (AER). Cybersecurity posture is validated by Cyber Trust Mark Tier 3 (Promoter) certification from the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore, awarded 16 May 2025.

SingAREN's business model is a subscription-based membership structure funded principally by National Research Foundation (NRF) Singapore grants for SLIX infrastructure (continuous since 2013, extended through 31 December 2027 for SLIX 2.0), supplemented by member contributions and international co-funding arrangements. It operates with a small staff of approximately 9 employees supported by an Executive Committee drawn from member institutions, and the organization engages the R&E community through conferences (APAN, TNC), workshops, vendor partnerships (Ciena, Arista, Fortinet, Check Point), and events such as the upcoming APAN63 in 2027. Notable use cases enabled include the Japan-Singapore remote robotic telesurgery trial, Asia Pacific Research Platform (APRP) data transfers at 10-100 Gbps between Singapore and Australian supercomputing facilities, and high-bandwidth research collaborations spanning CERN, SKA, and other global scientific projects.

Name

SingAREN

Legal name

Singapore Advanced Research and Education Network (SingAREN)

Website

https://singaren.net.sg

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SingAREN is Singapore's national not-for-profit research and education network, operating the SingAREN Open Exchange and SLIX optical backbone (up to 400G) to interconnect local universities, research institutes, and government agencies with global R&E networks across Asia, Australia, Europe, and the USA.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Singapore

HQ country

Singapore

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations

Revenue model

1. Network Services to Members: SingAREN provides network and connectivity services to its members consisting of Institutions of Higher Learning, Research Organizations, Government, and network industry players. As a not-for-profit society, revenue is used to fund network operations and infrastructure.
2. Government Funding: SingAREN receives continued support from the National Research Foundation (NRF) for SLIX infrastructure. Initial funding started in 2013, with additional 2.5 years of funding approved until 31 December 2027 for SLIX 2.0 upgrade.
3. Co-funding with Partners: International links (SG-US, SG-HK-JP, SG-EU) are co-funded by NSCC Singapore in collaboration with international partners including Internet2, NICT, and TEIN*CC.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SingAREN operates Singapore's national research and education network, providing high-speed local and international network connectivity and a portfolio of value-added services (SOE interconnection, eduroam, FileSender SG, Database Mirroring, SGAF, eduGAIN, APRP) to member institutions including universities, research institutes, and government agencies. Its optical DWDM SLIX backbone and 400G-enabled SingAREN Open Exchange link Singapore's R&E community to global RENs across Asia, Australia, Europe, and the USA.

Product overview

SingAREN is Singapore's national research and education network, providing a comprehensive portfolio of networking infrastructure and services dedicated to serving the R&E community. The core offerings include SingAREN Open Exchange (SOE) - the primary interconnection platform with Points of Presence at Global Switch and Equinix facilities, and SingAREN Lightwave Internet Exchange (SLIX) - an optical DWDM backbone utilizing Ciena 6500 technology. Supporting services include eduroam for global wireless roaming, FileSender SG for large file transfers, Database Mirroring for replicating scientific databases, Singapore Access Federation (SGAF) for federated identity management, and eduGAIN for international federation services. The infrastructure supports international connectivity to Asia, Australia, Europe, and USA through key connections including the SG-US (100G), SG-HK-JP (100G), and SLIX 2.0 (up to 400G). SingAREN's network enables advanced applications such as remote robotic telesurgery and supports the global research and education network ecosystem.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SingAREN Open Exchange (SOE) Primary network exchange platform that interconnects Singapore's research and education community to international Research and Education Networks (RENs) in Asia, Australia, Europe, and the USA, with POPs at Global Switch TaiSeng and Equinix SG3.
• SingAREN Lightwave Internet Exchange (SLIX) SingAREN's optical DWDM backbone utilizing Ciena 6500 optical solution providing connectivity to member institutions (NUS, NTU, A*STAR). Supports 10G and 100G connections with a 50-millisecond cutover in case of link failure, currently upgrading to support up to 400G bandwidth.
• eduroam Global wireless service for secure internet connectivity across eduroam participating institutes, allowing users to access the internet at any connected institution using their home institution account and password. Managed by SingAREN in Singapore; service spans over 90 countries with more than a billion authentications processed annually worldwide.
• FileSender SG Service for sending and receiving large files, enabling the research and education community to transfer large datasets across international boundaries.
• Database Mirroring Service that mirrors major overseas scientific databases in Singapore, enabling collaborations among research communities in Singapore and overseas.
• Singapore Access Federation (SGAF) Federated identity management service providing single sign-on to registered identity providers and service providers, allowing registered users to access services using their home organization's credentials.
• eduGAIN International federated identity management service that interconnects research and education identity federations globally, enabling cross-institutional authentication and authorization.
• Asia Pacific Research Platform (APRP) Platform enabling scientists in Singapore and Australia to collaborate and access compute resources, supporting transfer of large amounts of scientific data at 10-100 Gbps between supercomputing facilities.
• SingAREN 400G Network Upgrade 400G network infrastructure upgrade built on Arista 7050DX4-32S switches with 32x400G QSFP-DD ports offering wire speed throughput of up to 12.8 Tbps, utilizing 400G ZR QSFP-56DD transceivers with coherent DWDM technology.

Quantifiable outcome

• Supports up to 400G bandwidth enabling high-performance network connectivity for local and international research collaborations
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Fortinet SingaporecoreTechnology or Integration · 29 August 2025Fortinet collaborated with SingAREN on a cybersecurity workshop focused on Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) and incident response. Fortinet provides cybersecurity solutions including threat intelligence for SLIX network and supports SingAREN's cyber resilience initiatives.
• SINET (Japan)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 July 2025SINET is a key partner for the Singapore-Japan backbone jointly operated by SingAREN. SINET presented on the operational launch of 400G JP-US link and Tokyo GXP at APAN60.
• KISTI / KREONET (Korea)secondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 July 2025KISTI (Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information) presented on KREONET/NDeX update for Big Science at APAN60 Network Engineering Sessions. Represents ongoing collaboration on Korea-Singapore research network connectivity.
• Internet2 (USA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 July 2025Internet2 presented on Network Infrastructure, Insight Console, and R&E Routing Preferences with Active Probing at APAN60. SingAREN's SG-US 100G connection is managed in collaboration with Internet2.
• CienacoreTechnology or Integration · 8 April 2025Ciena is SingAREN's optical networking technology provider. SingAREN's optical DWDM backbone utilizes Ciena 6500 optical solution providing connectivity to member institutions. Ciena experts presented on next-generation optical networks including 1.6T transmission and coherent routing at the Ciena Master Class.
• Terrabit Networks Pte. Ltd.coreTechnology or Integration · 8 April 2025Terrabit Networks is the operator of SingAREN's Network Operations Centre and maintains network equipment. Co-hosted the Ciena Master Class with SingAREN and provided technical expertise on submarine network scaling toward petabit-scale capacity.
• Arista NetworkscoreTechnology or Integration · 5 December 2023Arista Networks provided the 400G network switches for SingAREN's infrastructure upgrade. The Arista 7050DX4-32S switches with 32x400G QSFP-DD ports are the foundation of SingAREN's 400G journey, commissioned in February 2025.
• Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.coreTechnology or Integration · 5 December 2023Check Point provides cybersecurity solutions for threat intelligence on the SLIX network. They hosted the 'Research & EDU Community Connect' networking event with SingAREN, sharing Prevention First approaches for managing cyberattacks.
• A*STAR Computational Resource Centre (A*CRC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 December 2023A*CRC hosts SingAREN's headquarters at its facility. As a key member partner, A*CRC contributed to establishing SingAREN Lightwave Internet Exchange (SLIX) and collaborates on advanced network demonstrations including InfiniCortex at SuperComputing conferences.
• National Supercomputing Centre (NSCC) SingaporecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 December 2023NSCC Singapore co-funds the SingAREN Open Exchange and international links (SG-US, SG-HK-JP, SG-EU). Collaboration includes the Asia Pacific Research Platform for supercomputing data transfers and hosting APAN45 co-located with SupercomputingAsia 2018.
• Telstra SingaporesecondaryTechnology or Integration · 5 December 2023Telstra Singapore provides co-location and internet connectivity service at SingAREN's Points of Presence at Global Switch and Equinix.
• StarHub Ltd.secondaryTechnology or Integration · 5 December 2023StarHub is the operator for SingAREN's dark fibre lease during the second phase of SLIX for expansion of the fibre core.
• Bluetel Networks Pte. Ltd.secondaryTechnology or Integration · 5 December 2023Bluetel Networks is the operator for SingAREN's dark fibre lease for the SLIX fibre core.
• REANNZ (Research Education Advanced Network New Zealand)secondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 August 2023REANNZ CEO Amber McEwen visited Singapore hosted by SingAREN. REANNZ visited ASPIRE 2A supercomputer and SingAREN's Open Exchange. Both organizations look forward to future collaborations.
• Nepal Research and Education Network (NREN)secondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 July 2023NREN Nepal visited Singapore hosted by SingAREN. The visit included tours of ASPIRE 2A supercomputer, NTU HPC, and SingAREN Open Exchange at Equinix. Both organizations look forward to collaborations.
• Amazon Web Services (AWS)secondaryTechnology or Integration · 27 April 2020SingAREN and AWS co-hosted a webinar on Cloud paradigm focusing on HPC & AI on the Cloud. The webinar brought together 46 participants from the R&E community to learn about running HPC and AI workloads on AWS.
• AARNet (Australia's Academic and Research Network)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 July 2019AARNet is a key international partner providing high-capacity connectivity between Australia and Singapore. The two organizations collaborated on establishing the Asia Pacific Research Platform (APRP) enabling 10-100 Gbps data transfers between supercomputing facilities. SingAREN also participates in AARNet-led initiatives including the Asia-Pacific-Europe Ring (AER) and Indigo subsea cable system providing 1+ Terabit/s connectivity.
• GÉANT (Europe)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 July 2019GÉANT is Europe's leading R&E network collaboration. SingAREN collaborates with GÉANT on the CAE-1 100 Gbps link between Singapore and London, and the Asia-Pacific-Europe Ring (AER) providing resilient connectivity between continents. The partnership enables European research connectivity for Singapore's R&E community.
• NORDUnet (Nordic R&E Network)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 July 2019NORDUnet operates world-class network infrastructure for the Nordic R&E community. SingAREN collaborates with NORDUnet on the AER initiative, providing backup paths between Asia and Europe. NORDUnet also supported underserved countries like Sri Lanka and Bangladesh during COVID-19 through the R&E network community.
• SURF (Netherlands)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 July 2019SURF is a cooperative association of Dutch educational and research institutions. Partnered with SingAREN on the CAE-1 consortium and AER initiative, contributing Amsterdam-London links to the Asia-Europe network ring.
• TEIN*CC / Asi@ConnectcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 July 2019TEIN*CC manages the Asi@Connect project providing dedicated regional high-capacity network for R&E communities across Asia-Pacific and Europe. SingAREN is a founding member of the TEIN project and actively contributes to Asi@Connect activities including supporting regional eduroam expansion.
• NICT (National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Japan)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 July 2019NICT is Japan's National R&D Agency specializing in ICT. Co-funded the 100G SG-HK-JP circuit and provides JGN high-speed R&D network testbed enabling experiments like 8K video streaming between Singapore and Japan. Also partners on the Asia-Pacific-Europe Ring.
• NII / SINET (Japan)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 July 2019NII operates SINET connecting about 1,000 universities and research institutions in Japan. SingAREN collaborates on the SG-HK-JP circuit and AER, with SINET providing the Japan segment of the 100G link via Tokyo-Hong Kong-Singapore network.
• HARNET / KAUSTcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 July 2019HARNET (Hong Kong) and KAUST (Saudi Arabia) joined the AER MoU in March 2022, expanding the collaboration from 8 to 10 partners. This extended membership adds significant further resilience to the global R&E network system.
• JUCC / HARNET (Hong Kong)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 August 2018SingAREN signed MoU with JUCC for collaboration on the HKOX project and HARNET connectivity. The updated Network Service Connectivity Agreement was signed on 30 July 2025 at APAN60, strengthening the SG-HK-JP circuit for high-capacity R&E traffic across Asia.
• Indiana University (International Networks)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 April 2018SingAREN signed MoU with Indiana University in relation to the TransPAC4 Project during APAN45. The partnership explores opportunities to collaborate on advanced network infrastructures, services, and applications supporting the global R&E community.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SURF: Netherlands-based cooperative association of Dutch educational and research institutions. Direct peer providing R&E networking and ICT services. SURF is a partner with SingAREN on the CAE-1 consortium and AER initiative, contributing Amsterdam-London links to the Asia-Europe network ring.
• CANARIE: Canada's national R&E network. Direct peer with comparable mandate of operating advanced network infrastructure for research and education. Similar not-for-profit/government-funded operational model and similar scale of operations to SingAREN.
• GÉANT: Europe's leading R&E network collaboration. Direct peer as both operate pan-regional high-capacity research networks. SingAREN partners with GÉANT on the CAE-1 100 Gbps Singapore-London link and the Asia-Pacific-Europe Ring (AER), demonstrating comparable operational scope and international interconnection strategy.
• JISC: UK's digital, data, and technology agency for higher education and research. Direct peer providing research networking, identity, and digital services to UK academic institutions. Comparable member-driven, not-for-profit operating model and similar service portfolio (eduroam, identity federation, file transfer).
• NORDUnet: Nordic R&E network serving Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden. Direct peer as both are multi-country R&E network operators with similar operational mandates. SingAREN collaborates with NORDUnet on the AER initiative and shared support for underserved NRENs (Sri Lanka, Bangladesh) during COVID-19.
• REANNZ: New Zealand's Research and Education Advanced Network. Direct peer as a national R&E network operator. REANNZ leadership visited SingAREN in 2023 to explore collaborations and toured SingAREN's Open Exchange, evidencing tight peer comparability in scale and mandate.
• Internet2: USA's R&E network. Direct peer operating advanced network infrastructure for research institutions. SingAREN co-funds the SG-US 100G connection with Internet2, and Internet2 presented on R&E routing and infrastructure at APAN60 — clear evidence of operational and governance similarity.
• KISTI / KREONET: Korea's national R&E network operated by KISTI (Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information). Direct peer providing research networking services across Korean institutions. Active collaborator with SingAREN at APAN60 and on Korea-Singapore research connectivity.
• AARNet: Australia's Academic and Research Network is a direct peer — both are national R&E network operators in the Asia-Pacific. AARNet and SingAREN co-fund international links (Indigo subsea cable, APRP) and jointly enable 10-100 Gbps supercomputing data transfers. Highly comparable mission, scale, and member base.
• SINET (NII Japan): Japan's national R&E network connecting ~1,000 universities and research institutions. Direct peer operating comparable infrastructure and serving a similar research-driven mandate. SingAREN and SINET jointly operate the SG-HK-JP circuit and AER, with SINET launching its 400G JP-US link in 2025 — mirroring SingAREN's 400G trajectory.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SingAREN1
• Facebookfacebook.com/SingAREN
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/singaren

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SingAREN