Internet in Singapore : how to set up broadband services
Internet Services
Singapore ranks number 7 in the world and tops the Asia-Pacific region in a study by the Economist Intelligence Unit on e-business environments and opportunities in 64 countries.
There are more than 1,600 government services available online from downloading forms for applications to filing your taxes.
It is not expensive to connect to a 24 hours broadband service and stay in touch with friends and family at a click of the mouse at any time of the day or night.
You may either connect your computer to the Internet via a modem to your telephone line or via Singapore Cable Vision (SCV) broadband facility. In both cases you need to inquire about any technical requirements for your computer. Additionally you must plan for either an additional telephone point or a cable point, which will be charged to you one time on installation. There is a reduction if you need more than one plug and it does make sense to plan long term.
As fees are very reasonable and the choices for TV programs are limited, in Singapore the family will soon end up fighting over access to the Internet to contact friends and family all over the world. You may consider having a TV/Cable extension in each bedroom. Alternatively you can sign up for MaxOnline 3000 Starhub's wireless Home Networking Solution with a router for a cost effective expandability to multiple PCs in your home. See the web site below for more information.
SingNet BroadBand uses Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) technology, where you can simultaneously enjoy voice and Fax: 6 services over the same telephone line without any extra cabling connections. The service has options for any budget from dial up packages by the hour to broadband speeds between 3 to 15 Mbps. This enables the whole family to get online at the same time, at superfast speed.
Starhub/SCV Vision MaxOnline (Cable) You need to have cable connection (additional to a phone line) and depending on the modem you can enjoy speeds to up to 100 Mbps on your home broadband for locally hosted and routed sites.
Pacific Internet Cable Broadband (PacNet) ADSL and cable Broadband service offers unlimited broadband access.
QMax Communications - offers a wireless broadband service with unlimited high-speed surfing for under SGD 30 (256 kbps)a months. The service is now limited to Bukit Timah but will expand island-wide within two years.
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If you link up to your SingTel phone line without joining SingTel Magix or SingNet BroadBand you need to subscribe to an Internet Service Provider (ISP). The charges for their services need to be paid additionally to your telephone costs. Due to strong competition in this field the charges vary frequently and you need to inquire directly. Some offer free Internet Access. ISP connection via a normal telephone line is usually slower than via broadband facilities.
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Cyber Cafes, Public Internet Access Points, Wireless Surfing
Singapore is one of the most densely IT-connected cities in the world with currently over 7000 public access points in schools, libraries, community centers and clubs.
But you can also surf wireless for free at a speed of 1 Mbps from almost anywhere in Singapore through Wireless@SG - a wireless broadband programme developed by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA). It is run by three local wireless operators - iCELL Network, QMax Communications and SingTel.
Residents and visitors to Singapore can sign up online and will receive your password by SMS. See the Beginners Guide to wireless surfing in Singapore.
You can download a comprehensive list of wireless hotspots to your mobile
phone or notebook or search a map with hotspots.
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SingTel BroadBand on Mobile
Anything, anytime, anywhere – with BroadBand on Mobile, you’ll never feel out of the loop. The service allows for superfast island-wide Internet access on your laptop or phone, with download speeds of up to 7.2Mbps and upload speeds of up to 1.5Mbps. That means a 1MB mp3 file is ready to play in five seconds. Start surfing anytime, anywhere with BroadBand on Mobile starting at $37 per month for a 12-month contract.
To find out more, visit any SingTel Retail Shops or check out www.singtel.com/expat today.
MediaRing - a Singaporean Company - offers Global Talk paid subscription service, a VoIP or voice over Internet protocol which is cheaper than overseas phone calls.
Voice is sent like email as data packets over the Internet on a hared network. You do not need a PC and a broadband connection but the person on the other end needs to be a Global Talk subscriber too.
Photo:enterAsiaArt
You do not need to boot up the computer but have to plug a handset to the PC's USB port or wear a handset. The telephone numbers have 11 digits. MediaRing charges a flat fee of SGD 24.95 for unlimited calls to fellow MediaRing callers. The service from MediaRing or its competitor Vole come with Internet phones that connect over the Net.
Alternatively use Skype for free unlimited worldwide phone calls to other Skype users and visit the web sites below for downloading their software for free.
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