Actual mobile broadband data speeds in Singapore are many
times slower than the theoretical broadband speeds advertised. It is so bad
that sometimes in crowded areas, it is impossible to open a simple web page. The
difference is so obvious that Singapore mobile broadband data providers had to
disclose real access speeds of their mobile broadband services (wireless data
plans, and not voice and data plans which many smartphone users subscribe to). Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel) has
been the first in Singapore and Asia in July:
“Hence when you plug a dongle into a notebook computer to
surf the Internet, you can now know the average speed you will get if you're a
SingTel customer. For example, for users of a 3.6 megabit per second (Mbps)
plan, the typical range is between 0.8Mbps and 2.1Mbps or at most 60 per cent.
The maximum average for those using the 7.2Mbps service is
at most half (between 1.4Mbps and 3.7Mbps). Premium customers on SingTel's
21Mbps service will have access speeds of between 1.7Mbps and 4.8Mbps.”[1]
M1 followed SingTel today and given its range:
“The cheapest plan at $12 per month, for example, boasts a
theoretical download speed of up to 7.2 megabits per second (Mbps) but the
typical speed resides in a range of 0.6 to 4.8 Mbps, M1 has revealed.”[2]
The range they have given is very broad so it is basically
meaningless according to some experts. But it reveals that the real broadband
speeds are much slower than the theoretical speeds. And obviously the load on
the limited resources of network is the main reason. So it is not surprising to
hear that M1 will no longer offer unlimited data plan:
“We are changing the way we sell our mobile broadband plans,
mainly to enhance our customers’ surfing across any new plan they choose, and
allow them to pay for what they use.”[3]
It may be disappointing for bit torrent addicts but I think
this is how it should be. Last week when I was in Vietnam, I borrowed my
sister-in-law’s Viettel 3G mobile modem and was shocked with high speed. It was
probably 10 times faster than my Starhub mobile modem I use in Singapore. The
obvious reason is the load on the network also. When you do not price a limited
resource based on usage it will be abused. And radio spectrum used for wireless
communication is a limited natural resource! If you put flat rate on it, those
who use less will end up subsiding those who abuse the usage while getting a
poor service
.
Current unlimited plans will be available until their
contract ends. Do not turn your face to StarHub who also provides unlimited
data plans. It appears that StarHub could soon follow M1. StarHub
vice-president Joanna Chan told to TODAT that globally the mobile data usage is
rising and the only way to keep the service quality is the mobile plans by
usage.[3]
M1 has also introduced its new limited plans priced based on the data bundles:
"Three of the new plans have a theoretical download speed of up to 7.2 Mbps, with a monthly subscription of $12, $24 and $40. These plans are for data bundles of five gigabytes (GB), 12 GB and 50 GB, respectively, on a 24-month contract.
Data usage beyond the data bundle of each plan will cost $5.35 per GB, but will be capped at $69.30, excluding the monthly subscription fee."[2]
[3] - M1 to phase out unlimited data plans, TODAY
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