Singapore Expats

After trying to transfer internet contracts to myself from both Singtel and Starhub, I was told that a service setup fee of at least $150 would be needed, and only if my studio has first been approved by a servicer (yet another fee and 1-2 weeks time). Seeing as I am only in Singapore for a year, and my current studio for likely only 6 months, I felt this wasn't even an option.

i have now begun looking at mobile broadband devices. Slow, yes. But the only real (inexpensive) option I feel I have for a year contract given I will probably by moving. Starhub doesn't seem to have great connectivity, but Singtel is providing an expat plan offering 7.2 mbps for ~$40/month for 12-months. Has any one had any experience with this mobile plan? So long as it is good enough to browse and skype video chat, that is all I ask.

Also, is it possible to set up a wireless network from my laptop via the USB modem? Although I feel it should be adequate for my laptop, I have an iPad and my iPhone that I would like to be able to use wifi on from the same 7.2 singtel plan. Thanks again

Eibow wrote:After trying to transfer internet contracts to myself from both Singtel and Starhub, I was told that a service setup fee of at least $150 would be needed, and only if my studio has first been approved by a servicer (yet another fee and 1-2 weeks time). Seeing as I am only in Singapore for a year, and my current studio for likely only 6 months, I felt this wasn't even an option.

i have now begun looking at mobile broadband devices. Slow, yes. But the only real (inexpensive) option I feel I have for a year contract given I will probably by moving. Starhub doesn't seem to have great connectivity, but Singtel is providing an expat plan offering 7.2 mbps for ~$40/month for 12-months. Has any one had any experience with this mobile plan? So long as it is good enough to browse and skype video chat, that is all I ask.

Also, is it possible to set up a wireless network from my laptop via the USB modem? Although I feel it should be adequate for my laptop, I have an iPad and my iPhone that I would like to be able to use wifi on from the same 7.2 singtel plan. Thanks again

Are you planning to turn your laptop into a hotspot? Not sure of the details because I haven't done it myself but it is theoretically possible.

Otherwise...

There are wifi routers whose inputs is basically a 3G device. You can also look into getting a mobile hotspot.

Yes, exactly what I am trying to do. From "Google," it sounds like its possible as long as you enable sharing in your preferences. I suppose a router would work as well even without a direct connection to a landed line (e.g. directly from computer to wireless router)?

More like the router would have a SIM card slot or a USB slot for your wireless modem.

Anyway, perhaps you could ask the ISP first for a mobile broadband modem with wifi if they have it; it may be simpler that way.

For example, M1's supposed to have a mobile hotspot.

That way, if you feel too lazy to fire up your laptop, you could just use the hotspot and your mobile device. Or you could take your 'broadband' with you without having to bring the laptop.

Starhub offers several wireless devices to do what you want.

http://www.starhub.com/support/broadban ... dband.html

You can also jailbreak your iphone, load up MyWifi and use it as your access point.

+1 SE
Am currently using an android phone that can be converted into a wireless hotspot . have an wi-fi ipad2 that works fine using the hotspot. Only thing that you might need to look out for is the data limit at 12GB a month

Eibow wrote:After trying to transfer internet contracts to myself from both Singtel and Starhub, I was told that a service setup fee of at least $150 would be needed, and only if my studio has first been approved by a servicer (yet another fee and 1-2 weeks time). Seeing as I am only in Singapore for a year, and my current studio for likely only 6 months, I felt this wasn't even an option.

i have now begun looking at mobile broadband devices. Slow, yes. But the only real (inexpensive) option I feel I have for a year contract given I will probably by moving. Starhub doesn't seem to have great connectivity, but Singtel is providing an expat plan offering 7.2 mbps for ~$40/month for 12-months. Has any one had any experience with this mobile plan? So long as it is good enough to browse and skype video chat, that is all I ask.

Also, is it possible to set up a wireless network from my laptop via the USB modem? Although I feel it should be adequate for my laptop, I have an iPad and my iPhone that I would like to be able to use wifi on from the same 7.2 singtel plan. Thanks again

Do you have data on your phone w/ the same carrier, or know someone who does? Go there and test it first. Lots of people have issues hitting those max advertised rates except in very specific spots. I often tether my laptop to my iPhone (Singtel), and only in one spot have ever exceeded 50kb/sec download. (But in that one spot it was pretty nice! 600kb/sec continuously for almost an hour.) Anyway, paying for faster speeds won't help if you can't hit the lower caps in that location.

Thanks for the replies... well, too late now.

I've found so far (only 2 days in) that even with the 7.2 mbps stick from singtel, during peak hours after work, say 7-10, it is EXTREMELY slow. However, later in the night/early morning, I get speeds around 500 kbps which is pretty good. Managed to do skype video chats with no lag, but didn't even try earlier.

Just for points of reference, roughly what area(s) where you in during both the slow and fast times?

Strong Eagle wrote:You can also jailbreak your iphone, load up MyWifi and use it as your access point.

+1

Although, you no longer need to Jailbreak on IOS4.x or IOS5 this is in the Settings menu as "Personal Hotspot"

im using Singtel Mobile Broadband, it is ok only.. sometimes i feel that my iphone is faster!