How to hook up to the Fibre Broadband powered by OpenNet
Bluetooth 3 Sep 2010

Most readers would be familiar with hooking onto the ADSL or Cable broadband. When it comes to the new Fibre Broadband, many are still pondering on what equipment is required to get up to speed.

One thing for sure, your existing ADSL or Cable Modem would no longer be required. If you own a Wireless Router or any networking devices, these devices will still function just as it is for switched ports at home or at work. In our example, we will reference the M1 broadband which should be similar to what other operators provide.

Before you sign up with any Retail Service provider (RSP), you should already have the Opennet box installed at your premises. This box is also known as the Termination Point (TP). You can check at http://rollout.opennet.com.sg on when your estate will be wired up.

If you have that installed by OpenNet, you can now choose the RSP and plan you would like to sign up for. Once that is done, Nucleus Connect, the OpCo will install a box as shown in the picture below (left hand side). This box is known as the Optical network Terminal (ONT). This box has 4 ports which will 1 port will be provisioned for service. The ONT will be connected to the Termination Point via a optical fire patch cable.

 
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Yesterday, Starhub announced their price plans for their Fibre Broadband Plans. They announced 7 different plans for end consumers, 4 normal plans and 3 Hubber plans with Starhub TV.

To our surprise, Starhub did not have any low speed plans e.g. 25Mbps or 50Mbps plan. The lowest speed is already 100Mbps/50Mbps at $68.27. Lowering the tier plans would probably affect their cable price plans too. That is probably the reason why they start off from 100Mbps instead.

Other plans include a 150Mbps, 200Mbps and 1 Gbps plan at $82.18, $102,93 and $395.90 (no discount rate). Although it is more pricey, they throw in a 2Mbps mobile broadband, free fixed line,  free 10 music DRM download. A slightly more expensive plan includes the 3 basic groups of PAY TV with discounts for hubstation hd rental and upsize groups.

 Singtel does not have low speed plans  (<100Mbps) but focus more on bundling tv and video services to their plans. Their plans starts from 150Mbps priced at S$85.90 which is similar to Starhub’s 100Mbps cable broadband plan. M1 will offer a 3-month free trial of the fibre broadband service at 100Mbps to residential customers whose homes are ready for service. Customers can sign up for the free trial only on 1 September at any M1 Shop.

The other plans offer a speed of 200Mbps which are quite similar as they’re bundled with tv and video services. Prices range from $95.90 to $109.90. If you are a football fan, the exPlore Home Sports Package might interest you. Of course, you would also get some discount with your singtel mobile line.

M1, the new comer has more variety ranging from 25Mbps to 1Gbps. 1Gbps would be too costly at S$399 per month. The more affordable plans would be the 25Mbps at S$39, 50Mbps at S$49 and 100Mbps at S$59. Just like Singtel, M1 also offer a Fixed Line thrown in for free incoming and outgoing calls.

Starhub has yet to offer their pricing structure. LGA telecoms has revealed on straits times that they do have a S$50 for 50Mbps plan in line. The other operator SuperInternet is prepared but yet to reveal pricing information of their services.

We have consolidated a chart which comprises of the existing data we gathered from various press releases and news over the internet for your easy reference.

Update : New chart included Starhub consumer plans can be read here.

Today, 3 telcos announced their Fibre broadband plans which runs on the Opennet fibre to the home infrastructure. With new telcos jumping onto the bandwagon, prices will be pushed down for end consumers.

So far, Singtel is the first to release it’s price plans and M1 followed just hours ago. Singtel does not have low speed plans  (<100Mbps) but focus more on bundling tv and video services to their plans. Their plans starts from 150Mbps priced at S$85.90 which is similar to Starhub’s 100Mbps cable broadband plan. M1 will offer a 3-month free trial of the fibre broadband service at 100Mbps to residential customers whose homes are ready for service. Customers can sign up for the free trial only on 1 September at any M1 Shop.

The other plans offer a speed of 200Mbps which are quite similar as they’re bundled with tv and video services. Prices range from $95.90 to $109.90. If you are a football fan, the exPlore Home Sports Package might interest you. Of course, you would also get some discount with your singtel mobile line.

M1, the new comer has more variety ranging from 25Mbps to 1Gbps. 1Gbps would be too costly at S$399 per month. The more affordable plans would be the 25Mbps at S$39, 50Mbps at S$49 and 100Mbps at S$59. Just like Singtel, M1 also offer a Fixed Line thrown in for free incoming and outgoing calls.

Starhub has yet to offer their pricing structure. LGA telecoms has revealed on straits times that they do have a S$50 for 50Mbps plan in line. The other operator SuperInternet is prepared but yet to reveal pricing information of their services.

We have consolidated a chart which comprises of the existing data we gathered from various press releases and news over the internet for your easy reference.

M1 offers free trial and Singapore’s first

1Gbps plan on the new national fibre network

A range of other competitive tariff plans for high speed

services also available for homes and businesses

SINGAPORE, 31 August 2010 – M1 will launch its high-speed fibre broadband service with speeds of up to 1Gbps and fixed voice service on 1 September 2010. A range of new tariff plans, including Singapore’s first 1Gbps plan for homes and businesses will be available.

Four new broadband plans for residential customers with downlink speeds of 1Gbps, 100Mbps, 50Mbps and 25Mbps will be offered on the new fibre network. They will also provide maximum uplink speeds of up to 500Mbps to ensure the best streaming and gaming experience for customers.

These plans cost from S$39 per month for 25Mbps to S$399 per month for 1Gbps. The 100Mbps plan, at $59 per month, is the lowest in the market. Students who sign up for any M1 mobile plan will enjoy a special subscription rate of only S$39 for the 100Mbps broadband plan.

Residential broadband customers also have the option of signing up for free incoming and outgoing calls on M1 Fixed Voice, which is M1’s new fixed line service.

To mark the launch, M1 will offer a 3-month free trial of the fibre broadband service at 100Mbps to residential customers whose homes are ready for service. Customers can sign up for the free trial only on 1 September at any M1 Shop.

Residential customers whose homes are ready for service can sign up for the broadband and fixed voice services from 2 September at any M1 Shop.

For corporate customers, M1 will offer complete business solutions with customized offerings on the fibre network, including fixed voice, IP Centrex and managed services. A range of corporate plans with speeds from 10Mbps to 1Gbps based on GPON and Active Ethernet technology will be offered. Corporate customers can call 6655 5588 or contact their M1 account managers for the range of available services and plans.

To check the fibre readiness status of their homes or businesses, customers should go to www.opennet.com.sg

“M1 has been gearing up for the launch of the fibre network which will open up a new world of innovative applications and rich content for homes and businesses. We are now ready to offer an enriched broadband experience at ultra high speeds to our customers and at the most competitive prices,” said Ms Karen Kooi, M1’s Chief Executive Officer.

“Our customers are invited to sign up for the free trial on 1 September to experience first-hand our services on the new fibre network,” she added.

Student Benefits :

^ To enjoy the benefit, customer is required to show a valid student pass and sign up or

recontract a mobile line.

* All prices inclusive of 7% GST

M1, Singapore’s most exciting and innovative integrated communications service provider, was launched in April 1997. It provides a full range of voice and data as well as fixed and mobile broadband services. M1 aims to be the leader in the communications business, focusing on value, quality and customer service. More information on M1 is available at www.m1.com.sg

From 1 September 2010, customers can register their interest for the high-speed fibre services at www.singtel.com/exstream.

Businesses to exploit full potential of Managed Services and Cloud Solutions

SingTel will introduce eVolve, a new fibre solution for businesses. Built on SingTel’s wholly owned and managed infrastructure, eVolve will only carry business traffic for quality and performance that businesses rely on. eVolve complements SingTel’s existing suite of fibre services, providing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with unprecedented price performance.

Businesses can leverage SingTel’s high-speed fibre services to access its suite of Managed Services and Cloud Solutions. These services open up new possibilities for companies to improve productivity and scale their operations cost effectively to meet changing business demands.

SingTel’s Cloud Solutions include on-demand computing services and productivity software such as SingTel ONEOffice, online storage and real-time back-up capabilities, and high quality video and data collaboration services.  These services offer the benefits of ICT on a subscription basis, without heavy upfront investments in infrastructure.

With SingTel as their trusted business partner, businesses can have peace of mind and enjoy a one-stop ICT experience.

SingTel To Offer TV Apps Store
Singapore – Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel) is pleased to announce today that it will be offering a comprehensive suite of affordable consumer and business applications on its high-speed fibre services to retail customers. SingTel will also offer carriage-based high-speed fibre services on a wholesale basis to retail service providers (RSPs).

SingTel harnesses capabilities of NGNBN and its own fibre networks

Leveraging the Next Generation National Broadband Network (NGNBN) deployed by OpenNet and SingTel’s own extensive fibre infrastructure, SingTel will provide unparalleled service quality and speeds to both retail customers and wholesale to RSPs. Customers can look forward to a range of high-speed fibre services with downlink speeds of up to 200Mbps, uplink speeds of up to 100Mbps and international bandwidth of up to 25Mbps. SingTel’s fibre network is scalable and capable of providing even higher speeds in the future to meet the needs of our retail and wholesale customers.

Mr Allen Lew, CEO Singapore, SingTel, said: “The availability of an ultra high-speed fibre network through the NGNBN and our own fibre infrastructure presents SingTel with significant opportunities to break new grounds in terms of service innovation and value creation. We will leverage our reputation of a reliable network operator, astute customer insights and an effective partner ecosystem to deliver personalised customer-centric applications, which will pique the imagination of consumers and increase the productivity of businesses.

“These distinctive applications which focus on entertainment, convergence and productivity enhancement will ensure that SingTel continues to not only lead but shape the digital media and ICT market in Singapore.”

In the retail space, SingTel will also further its transformation into a leading multimedia and ICT services provider, with a suite of breakthrough services for its consumer and business customers to be introduced later in September this year.

Consumers stay connected and entertained 24/7

SingTel will launch a high-speed fibre service, known as exStream, with downlink speeds of up to 200Mbps. Customers can choose from three new packages which are designed with relevant applications, and with consumers’ needs in mind to enhance their lifestyles at work, at home and at play.

With the exPress portal, customers can freely express their personalities as well as stay closer to their loved ones anytime, anywhere. They will enjoy features like unified messaging, online storage and sharing of multimedia content and high quality multi-party video chat.

With unified messaging, customers have single access to multiple social networking sites and enjoy chat aggregation. They can customise their exPress homescreen for easy access to their favourite multimedia content like news, videos, music etc – all on a single online web portal.

With the exCite service, customers can experience the world’s best video search engine allowing customers to find the widest range of online video content and stream them smoothly from sites like YouTube and Tudou. Customers can create their own entertainment channel and experience limitless internet content, right from their TV screen. exCite also gives customers access to Singapore’s first TV Apps Store, starting with a catalogue of over 30 TV games. The Store is based on an open TV platform enabling developers to easily create exciting applications. A gesture-based remote control and predictive text searches in English and Chinese offer easier navigation.

With exCite Home and exPlore Home bundled plans, customers will be the first in Singapore to watch pay TV programmes through fibre, while enjoying the benefits of the high-speed fibre services like the exPress portal. exPlore Home Sports also combines the best of mio TV Sports package, including the interactive applications with the high-speed fibre access as an integrated plan.

From 1 September 2010, customers can register their interest for the high-speed fibre services at www.singtel.com/exstream.

Businesses to exploit full potential of Managed Services and Cloud Solutions

SingTel will introduce eVolve, a new fibre solution for businesses. Built on SingTel’s wholly owned and managed infrastructure, eVolve will only carry business traffic for quality and performance that businesses rely on. eVolve complements SingTel’s existing suite of fibre services, providing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with unprecedented price performance.

Businesses can leverage SingTel’s high-speed fibre services to access its suite of Managed Services and Cloud Solutions. These services open up new possibilities for companies to improve productivity and scale their operations cost effectively to meet changing business demands.

SingTel’s Cloud Solutions include on-demand computing services and productivity software such as SingTel ONEOffice, online storage and real-time back-up capabilities, and high quality video and data collaboration services. These services offer the benefits of ICT on a subscription basis, without heavy upfront investments in infrastructure.

With SingTel as their trusted business partner, businesses can have peace of mind and enjoy a one-stop ICT experience.

M1 launches Singapore’s first remote technical
support service for computers and smartphones

SINGAPORE, 11 August 2010 – M1 will offer Singapore’s first remote technical support service for personal computers and smart phones via a new service called mFix from tomorrow.
With mFix, M1 customers will be able to optimise the performance of their PCs and smart phones in the comfort of their homes and offices just by dialing the M1 customer service hotline at 1663. Software installation, set-up and various support services including malware and virus removal will be available through mFix.
Once the customer calls the hotline, an agent will connect remotely to the customer’s computer or smartphone via an Internet connection. The customer can then leave his computer or smartphone unattended while it is being remotely serviced.
M1 will offer customers a suite of five services, offered individually or as part of a subscription plan :

o PC optimisation, such as cleaning up disk, rearranging data or removing temp files, to enable the PC to run faster and more efficiently;
o PC diagnostics, which include a full assessment of hardware and software;
o Malware and virus removal;
o Software installation; and
o Remote smartphone support, which includes e-mail configuration, Internet tethering, and data backup.

Privacy and data security will not be compromised as files and documents kept in the computers and smartphones will not be affected or accessed during the remote service. Connection between the customer’s device and M1’s remote agent throughout the session is protected with a 256-bits SSL encryption.
“mFix offers convenience and saves precious time for busy Singaporeans who no longer have to wait in queues to service their PCs and other devices. Most of the common services required can be done within the comfort of their homes and offices,” said P. Subramaniam, Chief Marketing Officer of M1. “We expect that our new remote support services will increase customer satisfaction and differentiate M1 in the marketplace.”
Customers can enjoy mFix services on a subscription basis (with one-year contract) or pay a one-time charge per service.
Details of the mFix plans and one-time charges are set out in the tables below :
mFix Basic Plan mFix Plus Plan
$44.94 / half-yearly* $60.99 / half-yearly*
Any two services annually
except Malware / Virus Removal service One Malware / Virus Removal service and one other service annually
Ad-Hoc Services
mFix services Fee per service
(Non-mFix subscriber) Fee per service
(mFix subscriber)
PC Optimisation $74.90 $67.41
Malware/ Virus Removal $107 $96.30
Software Installation $42.80 $38.52
PC Diagnostics $53.50 $48.15
Smartphone Support $37.45 $33.71
* On one-year contract

M1, Singapore’s most exciting and innovative integrated communications service provider, was launched in April 1997. It provides a full range of voice and data as well as fixed and mobile broadband services. M1 aims to be the leader in the communications business, focusing on value, quality and customer service. More information on M1 is available at www.m1.com.sg

M1 sent us a note confirming that M1 will also be selling the iPhone 4 on 30 Jul 2010. So, all 3 telcos in Singapore will start retailing the iPhone 4 on the same day. It now remains to be seen which telco gives the deal.

Here is the mailer we receive.

Thank you for registering your interest in iPhone 4.

Please click here to fill up a simple form and submit it by 25 July.

And look out for updates in your email inbox soon.

The well acclaimed ASUS O! play HD device which allows you to watch world’s TV channels and listen to radio stations across the globe is hit with a giltch. We discovered that while we tried to access the channels list with the box hooked onto Singapore’s M1 Fixed Line broadband. The channels list just wouldn’t appear.

The same box was tested on another telco and it seems to work. The problem has been reported in forums but there is no immediate fix. M1 responded to our query and they do not block any ports. ASUS on the other hand is working on a beta firmware to try out next week.

Stay tuned for more updates.

Although the page is not fully functional, we can see that M1 is ready to take orders for the upcoming iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS 8GB edition. The two other telcos have not put up any notice so far but has indicated that they will carry it soon in the mass media some time ago.

Source

M1 Press Statement on Al-Jazeera

SINGAPORE, 14 April 2010 – We wish to clarify today’s Straits Times report that M1 has “inked a deal” with Al-Jazeera to carry its news bulletins and other contents.

Contrary to the report, M1 has neither signed an agreement with Al-Jazeera nor has any direct dealings with them as we source contents through various content aggregators.

We have however not finalized the details of our service offerings, including the final programme mix and choice of delivery medium.