Mobile Broadband Services in Singapore
By appletastic
My experience of Singtel Mobile Broadband Services
Over the past few weeks, I have been using the Singtel Mobile Broadband Services in and around Singapore. I have even been using it at home because my home internet by the Green fellas have been giving me plenty of connection issues.
To see my very biased experience of mobile broadband services in Singapore, read this post on M1, Singtel and Starhub mobile broadband services in Singapore.
With that background in mind, It is quite clear that I had a very high expectation of my new Singtel Broadband on Mobile. After all, nothing could be worse than no connection and I was prepared to give up mobile broadband altogether then.
At the same time, I was skeptical of the mobile broadband speed of 2 Mbps because my M1 mobile broadband was problematic at best and towards the end, a 56kbps dial up would probably have been faster.
I am pleased to say, that my experience with Singtel's Mobile Broadband Services in Singapore only, has been smooth sailing and problem free. : ) Bearing in mind that I'm using a Macbook, the whole experience has been truly pleasant. It was truly plug and play. When I plugged it into my Macbook, it installed itself and was up and running in 15 minutes. No special discs or permissions or configurations required.
Surfing speeds have been pretty decent. At the time of writing, I'm getting a download speed of 1.47Mb/s which is really very good considering my location is out of the CBD area near Clementi. This is a vast improvement over my older M1 Mobile Broadband service which gave me less than 1Mb/s usually even though I was on the 2Mbps plan.
To check the speed of your internet, go to www.speedtest.net or click here.
By the way, I'm also using the standard mobile broadband USB modem issued by Singtel. Specifically, it's the Bandluxe C179 HSDPA USB Data Modem and it fits nicely without blocking my power dock. To see what it looks like, click here.
So now, the next big thing I'm looking out for is my usage limit. With a 50GB limit, it should really be enough as I do not download movies or big programs using mobile broadband services. Instead, it's just the usual emails and youtube videos but that's another hub for another day.
Till then, leave me a comment.
appletastic
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speedtest for Singtel BBOM
Comments
Hi Aaron,
I'm still using Singtel BBOM 2MBps and I must say that I have had no problems with it up till now. It's still going great.
As I am daily beside someone else who uses Starhub, I make daily comparisons. Apart from the usual lack of connection for both ISPs, there really isn't any problems. I do not get disconnected either.
Therefore, go with whichever you like best. Singtel and Starhub are both quite useable. Although I would lean towards Starhub for its' unlimited limit although you pay about a few dollars slightly more.
Hope this helps.
Cheers
My 2Mbps only register speed of 0.2 to 0.8... how did you get 1.5 mbps ????
Hi Jack,
I have no idea how I got 1.5 mbps. I'm in the Tanglin area right now and this is my speedtest results:
Sg Server:
Download speeds 1.23Mb/s
upload speed 0.22mb/s.
Ping 526ms
US (San Fransisco Server)
Download speeds 0.84mb/s
Upload speeds 0.3mb/s
Ping 304ms
However, there is no noticeable lag at the moment for me.
Cheers
I guest you don't have any problem because you're living in the heart of citi. Singtel is suck in AMK area !!!
Hi guess,
I stay in Tampines. The speed there is alright too although I dun have speed test results. Maybe I'm lucky..
I'm using Singtel BBOM 1Mbps plan, speed at old airport road is ok, download speed about 0.8mb/s but after i move to woodlands connection is slow, especially during peak hour i can't even surf, download speed only 0.02 mb/s. I think the speed you get depend at your area.
Hi appletastic,
I would like to seek your advice how did you manage to connect singtel usb device to yr macbook? The OS is 10.6.4 snow leopard and i installed the drivers inside.
the OS can detect the device but when i try to connect, no indication of speed seen on the dashboard. Many thanks.
Hi Dennis,
Can you surf? Otherwise, you may want to use the network utility in Mac and set up a connection from there.
is any one using M1 BB in woodland area??
Is the speed okay ???
Hi sw,
I'm not sure about woodlands but the general consensus seems to be that M1 BBOM isn't very good. So subscribe at your own risk.
Good luck.
Hi appletastic,
Not able to surf at all. Installation of drivers in OS X is smooth. I have fed back to my manager that my own device cannot work. My company won't do user support since it will fall back to Singtel.
Hi Dennis,
Under system preferances, there's a "network".
Can you set up your usb dongle there? Alternatively, call Singtel (and wait) and see if their technical support can help you to set up.
Good luck.
I am using M1 mobile broadband 2mbps,the speed quite good in geylang area,speed test result maintain above 1mbps.
Korozu,
That sounds good. Maybe M1 is stabilising.
Hi,
I am using M1 BBOM with Huawei router 7.2Mbps so that me and my wife can share. Guess what? I myself alone also can't even get 1Mbps. Sent so many complaints... but got so many excuses. Very bad luck. And just in my first month of two years contract. God help.... BTW, I live in Balestier... So, friends, pls don't make mistake like mine. =_='
Hi everyone, I am looking for a mobile broadband. Don't want to sign up because of the 24 months contracts. So if you have "Extra" mobile broadband, let me know, my number is 97168654 ... Before I go and sign up for one... Thank you :)
I am using E169 USB Modem from Singtel. Once I change my Laptop from HP to Mac Book, I can no longer surf the net (though I as informed previously that it supported both). My Mac book did not auto detect the modem and I have to set up manually. But that is pointless, as I was not able to access after setting up. Kept getting the blinking light but no connection.
I tried calling Singtel but they were not able to assist. Have no choice but to terminate the service but was ask to return the modem before termination. Now, I have to take leave to go down. I don't think I will ever sign up singtel again as the customer service officer is not helpful. Maybe I will consider M1.
Hi Jops28,
You can try deleting the manual set up and updating the software on the modem. It could be a case of after installation on Windows, the Mac files are no longer compatible.
Speak to Singtel to see if they can exchange a dongle for you or provide and installation CD. It might work then.
Good luck.
I'm a tourist from Australia in Singapore for a few days. Bought 3 days 'unlimited' broadband sim for $18. It's practically unusable.
1138ms latency,
0.01Mb/s in cbd area.
Singtel is a national embarassment.
This is a poorly designed and engineered broadband network. They need to look at Telstra in australia, or even Optus which is owned by Singtel to see how its done right.
I've used Singtel and M1. In Geylang area, Singtel connection was totally lagging even with a 8MBps plan but M1 1Mbps was fast. In Serangoon area the Singtel was blazing fast but M1 was very slow. So I guess it just depends on where u are. But generally Singtel and Starhub speeds are faster than M1 at most locations.
Dear Brendon, yours is probably a case of poor user setup. Oz is well known for poor Internet speeds so you should keep your 2 cents on SingNet or any ISP in Singapore to yourself.
In a recent comparison. Oz was ranked behind Mongolia in Internet speeds. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/347937/aus
i m curently on red business broadband 1.5mbps for shop CCTV. Thought of renewing to broadband 4 mbps. My friend adv me to switch to red dongle 7.2mbps as it is cheaper. Anyone can adv if the connection be better using dongle. The IP add always change when to to view thru mobile. How to make it fixed?
Ankur, I would not advice you on getting the red dongle of 7.2Mbps as I am using that and I can tell you, it sucks after 2 months into the contract. I'm into my 4th month already and I have made 4 calls in a months to the service centre and they can't seem to rectify the issue. Now, I'm thinking of talking to their superior and terminating the contract and I'm not paying a cent on the early termination. This is just my 2 cents. Its up to you to decide.
how abt jurongeast area? is singtel,starhub or m1 mobile broadband faster?
Hi, iam living at tpy area. 1 year ago i took up starhub mobile broadband, it disconnects every 10mins. i called up for assist almost 20times, did whatever i could -change of settings,going to a different place,wait for weeks for them to send their man to test connection ard tpy.nth was done, i told them how much time was wasted while i was so unsatisfied.negotiate to terminate, agreed upon returning dongle.Guess What, a warning letter of $498 issued to me within a month. went down explained, settled.1mth later line got terminated, icalled, got it reconnected. this repeated for 5 times, all because of that outstanding balance that couldnt be settled.i blamed myself for not being agreesive enf, how sad.
Signal strength of your mobile broadband shall make or break your connection speed and stability. The loading of the base station is crucial too, but that you can't do much about it, even if the load is good now, it may become bad later, and vice versa if the ISP decides to improve the base station capability.
I am using M1BB because of the unlimited data, I am using with a router which run internet, p2p, VOIP, and security camera also. After I have located the best place, the connection has been very stable and fast. The place I settled is very near window, facing the base station, shield from direct sun (heat shall affect the modem-stick functionality in the afternoon).
It's good to hear some positive news on mobile broadband given the amount of negative press with poor speeds, dropped connections etc. I'm guessing the network is 3G? Do you know if a 4G network is planned in the near future?
Hi RichPt,
Nothing heard as yet. Looks like the networks are not catching up as fast as hardware.
I stay near Changi business Park - which service provider is best? Can you let me know? Thanks
Cheers!
The mobile broadband in sg is really a joke. Coverage is so poor and the repeated nonavailability of service for which the telcos never bother to regret or even recognise is appalling even to think of a refund. Just yesterday there was no 3G available for several hours. I use M1but checked with a colleague who has Singtel and was the same.
Hi iheave starhub mobile broad band how to increase the any extra antana heave.? Any one know pls mesage ths
Aaron 2 years ago
Hi,
I agreed with you that M1 customer service is fantastic even though i have just terminate the mobile broadband service with them as the connection in my area is really bad. I am thinking of taking up another mobile broadband service with Singtel, but the reviews on Singtel were quite bad as well, so this cause me to ponder whether i should take up Singtel or shoud i just take up starhub?