Starhub Versus Singtel Versus M1

[Strong Eagle]

Folks, I am considering changing my phone service provider from Singtel to Starhub since they provide an all in one package for cable TV, cable internet, home land line, and mobile services (with discounts for additional mobile phones). Starhub's data pricing plans also seem a lot better than Singtel.

So... would appreciate comments and opinions on:

a) Coverage on the island... are they both pretty much the same anywhere I go?

b) Leaving the country - does Starhub have the same sort of deals with other phone companies are Singtel? Are the prices competitive?

c) Any thoughts on mobile pricing plans versus Singtel?

OK, I threw in M1 in as well but don't know much about it.

Cheers.

[taxico]

m1 has a weird alliance with vodafone overseas and with those carriers, charges are lower IIRC.

starhub's billing dept is strict - no pay no play.

singtel has the best roaming agreements but it's usually pricey. starhub's roaming arrangements are not any better for the most part.

singtel used to claims best coverage, but this is really debatable. some spotty places exist for all 3 telcos, so your mileage may vary.

in established/public places i think they're all on par. but in residential/private build-up areas (especially when surrounded by other buildings), recept will suck (all 3).

my dad enjoys using m1's mobile data service, and they provide you, rent-free, a usb dongle - i use it to stream XM radio in the car in singapore. no clue about the other 2.

i like starhub's pricing plan as it's based on per second billing - but only because i only make out-going calls in singapore.

with the discounts for "triple play," starhub hits the spot for the wife and me. i think they also let you accumulate points to redeem stuff like free subscriptions or channels.

i always hear singtel ripping people off about their cell phone bills, but this might just be an urban legend...

btw, do you currently enjoy 45% singtel discounts on plan charges? you might want to factor that in your switch if you're a heavy cell user.

[Strong Eagle]

my dad enjoys using m1's mobile data service, and they provide you, rent-free, a usb dongle - i use it to stream XM radio in the car in singapore. no clue about the other 2.

I have the same setup for my laptop. Allows me internet access at client sites without trying to connect to secure networks. Unlimited data for a very reasonable price and in the downtown areas good speed as well.

i always hear singtel ripping people off about their cell phone bills, but this might just be an urban legend...

btw, do you currently enjoy 45% singtel discounts on plan charges? you might want to factor that in your switch if you're a heavy cell user.

Can't say that I am ripped off but a more complex phone bill would be hard to find. I'm on a 700 minute plan so I get all these charges, then I get all these rebates, then I get some usage rebates... who knows?

[ukdesigner]

I had Starhub cable internet and it was useless.
If you live in an HDB or even a large condo unit you'll find that starhub will slow down quite considerably when others are at home even when watching TV.

I have a singtel internet connection now and it's far superior. However the M1 mobile package does sound interesting.

I also have a singtel mobile and yes it is complicated in how they work out their bills. Like you said a charge here and then a rebate there. All very odd, but then again we are in Singapore and they do have some very strange ways compared to what I am used to so maybe it's us that does it in a weird way!

[durain]

it does make more sense to have it all in one - broadband, tv, 3G, mobile, etc. i dont think there's one provider that has absolute 100% coverage. singtel at my condo is like 0.1 signal! but my starhub 8mb broadband is superfast!

btw, didnt you toy around about getting an iPhone?