Anyone using the fiber optic broadband yet?

[slinky]

(Or whatever you call it...)

We had them come out and hook up the fiber optic cable a week or so ago, but the guy at Starhub is saying the regular broadband maxonline service is faster for download speeds and that the fiber optic is only faster on upload speeds. Anyone have thoughts and/or experiences with it?

Thanks

[baloo]

I've had it for about 3 months. I have the 200mb plan.

Locally, speeds are super quick. I downloaded the latest Ubuntu distro (think 600mb file) and I was downloading at about 120mb. On my old Starhub 100mb I never topped 50mb.

International is average as we're limited by the international pipes, but it feels quicker.

I'm glad I switched and at only an extra $8 a month.

[slinky]

Are you using Starhub or Singtel? Also, are you using wifi or do you download directly from the modem? Thanks

[baloo]

Starhub.

Mainly direct connect. I have a gigabit (1,000mb) wired LAN throughout the house so I can max out the modem if I need too.

On wireless the bottle neck would be your device to your wireless router/access point.

Liken it to a road. My Fibre connection is a 4 lane Highway. My home LAN is a 10 lane Highway. In this scenario the internet connection tops out before my home LAN. Wireless, on a good day, would be a 2 lane highway, most likely one. You can never push the internet connection to it's limits.

[expat yorkshire]

I am currently half way through the installation process

[slinky]

So, what's it going to take for you to create said LAN for all the Macs in my house??

(Sounds like we need to directly connect the Mac Mini that is hooked up to the TV to the modem and then use wifi for all other computers in the house given we only do the big downloads - movies, etc. on the Mac Mini)

[Fat Bob]

I have a 16Mbs as provided by starhub for less than $50. I see now reason at all to upgrade considering the lack of online TV available in Singapore.

I suppose if you had multiple users, who all wanted to watch streamed video from different sources at the same time whilst having a network that can handle that (i.e. sockets, not wireless) then it would be worth it.

And baloo, the listed price of a 1Gbs connection is $395. What broadband plan were you on before?

[baloo]

I was on Starhub cable 100mb before. Why ?

[Fat Bob]

Starhub cable 100mb costs a lot less than $395, and you are suggesting you now only pay $8 more.

[baloo]

I never said I am on a Gigabit plan. Read my first post on this thread again.

[Fat Bob]

Hmmm....maybe selective viewing in my text. Sure you wrote 1GBs.....must be going mad

[Fat Bob]

Hmmm....maybe selective viewing in my text. Sure you wrote 1GBs.....must be going mad

[Morrolan]

or drunk...

[SunshineAfterRain]

Okay, this is my turn. Please bear with me.

As you might know, my flat is currently under renovation. I was advised by my contractor to contact Open Net should we intend to run the unit in Fibre Optics. I have checked, my flat/unit is FO ready.

I am quite confused after hearing what various parties have told me.

I heard that there are different types of cable (e.g. Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6 and Cat7)? So basically, for homeuser (well, my spouse will use one of the room as home-office), I would prefer to have wireless internet connection in my unit

Questions:
1) which type of cable will provide good stable upload/download speed?
2) if I use the router that the telco provides or should I get my own? If latter, which is the brand (+model) would you recommend?
3) Should I get my electrician to lay the land/cable point or better to contact telco to get it wired the entire unit (in terms of cost-saving and connectivitiy etc)?
4) my electrician charge based on each point installed. He said between $120-150/point. However, he said some telco will charge based on per metre?
5) charges varies; depending on the brand of the cable provided? (if that's the case, which brand(s) is/are more reliable)?

Sorry for all these questions but I suppose some of you lot can really help.

Thank you.

[baloo]

Cat 5 is only rated at 100mb. Cat 5e is a minimum to get gigabit speeds. Cat 6 is rated for higher transmission / lower errors.

I would go with Cat 5e at a minimum. If the pric e difference between Cat53 and Cat6 isnt that great then you could future proof yourself a bit.

Your spouse is wise to want wired internet. The only wireless devices in our house are the mobile phones and iPads. everything else has a Cat 5e cable plugged into it.

[SunshineAfterRain]

Thanks, Baloo!

We had emailed Open Net to fix an appointment and will let the husband decide which service provider to take up the subscription in due course.