Questions on SNBB vs Mio Plan

[yhrt98]

Hi guys,

I'm currently a SingNet Broadband 1Mbps user, whose contract has expired in Jan and it considering btw 2 options moving forward. I've enquiries in both cases which I'd like to seek the existing users' advice on.

Option A - Recontract but upgrade to a standalone 3Mbps pacakge

Some of these 24-mth contracts include $22.90/mth (free Ethernet modem, free rental of True HD box, free 9mth-DVR subscription), or $26.90/mth (same as above, but with wireless modem and 1 additional 12-mth free On Demand Channel)

Some queries:

1. Is the HD box also the DVR box?

2. I already have a LG RH1988WS hard-disk video recorder. Can I choose to use this and not install the DVR box nor take up the DVR subscription? For the $26.90/mth package that comes with On Demand Channel, am I able to record video using my own machine?

3. If I must use the DVR subscription (and pay $10.70/mth for the frst 3 mths before the free 9-mth window kicks in), can I tell SingNet way in advance to automatically cancel the subscription once the total 12 mths is up? I'm pretty certain I'll forget when the expiry date ends :(

4. Is the HD Box also the Set-Top Box to receive the MioTV On Demand Channel?

5. What is the difference btw the Film Factory Channel and the PictureBox channel? Both seem to offer Hollywood movies.

6. Does the "free 12 mth" On Demand Channel have a hidden charge, i.e. free connection, but must still buy a minimum charge of movies that is costed separately?

7. My current modem is in my study room. My TV is in the living room, not near a telephone point. How does the Mio TV set-top box (or is it the DVR box) get the video signal from my bedroom modem? Is there a hidden cost for them to install something additional they didn't say?

8. If I were to want to watch MioTV in my master bedroom, do i need a 2nd settop box, and what are the associated costs? Or is there another way to stream the video over?

9. For the wireless modem provided, can I switch off the wireless feature and only use its ethernet mode when desired? (To save electricity) :P


Option B - Subscribe to Mio Plan

Since I already have a (a) SingTel mobile (i-One plus under Corporate Scheme, paying about $25 a month, including Caller ID), (b) SingTel Fixed Line (paying $25 per quarter) and (c) a 1Mbps line ($30 a month), I thought it might be good to go for the 24-mth Mio Plan, where all 3 are combined in one package. Some niggling queries:

1. Under the Mio Plan, the Mio Voice will have a 3-mth free VAS pack (charge of $4.28 per/ mth applies thereafter). What is this VAS about? For some reason, I can't find anything about it on the SingTel website or FAQ. Also, can I cancel it in advance immediately upon signing up?

2. At the end of the 24-mth contract, can I:

a. choose to breakup the 3 services and renew each service separately with SingTel, or take up a new type of package with them? Is there a penalty charge?

b. choose to downgrade the BB line to say 1Mbps? Is there a penalty charge?

c. choose to only renew the BB and fixed line component, but go to another telco for the mobile package? Is there a penalty charge?

3. How will my current mobile corporate discount be factored into this? I currently also have a supplementary mobile line attached to my account.

4. If I were to sign up for the Mio Plan, do I get the freebies like the free wireless modem, compared with if I had signed up the BB line as a standalone package?

I'm a noobie to all this. Really appreciate anyone's advice :-)

[Errz]

Hi guys,

I'm currently a SingNet Broadband 1Mbps user, whose contract has expired in Jan and it considering btw 2 options moving forward. I've enquiries in both cases which I'd like to seek the existing users' advice on.

Option A - Recontract but upgrade to a standalone 3Mbps pacakge

Some of these 24-mth contracts include $22.90/mth (free Ethernet modem, free rental of True HD box, free 9mth-DVR subscription), or $26.90/mth (same as above, but with wireless modem and 1 additional 12-mth free On Demand Channel)

Some queries:

1. Is the HD box also the DVR box?

2. I already have a LG RH1988WS hard-disk video recorder. Can I choose to use this and not install the DVR box nor take up the DVR subscription? For the $26.90/mth package that comes with On Demand Channel, am I able to record video using my own machine?

3. If I must use the DVR subscription (and pay $10.70/mth for the frst 3 mths before the free 9-mth window kicks in), can I tell SingNet way in advance to automatically cancel the subscription once the total 12 mths is up? I'm pretty certain I'll forget when the expiry date ends :(

4. Is the HD Box also the Set-Top Box to receive the MioTV On Demand Channel?

5. What is the difference btw the Film Factory Channel and the PictureBox channel? Both seem to offer Hollywood movies.

6. Does the "free 12 mth" On Demand Channel have a hidden charge, i.e. free connection, but must still buy a minimum charge of movies that is costed separately?

7. My current modem is in my study room. My TV is in the living room, not near a telephone point. How does the Mio TV set-top box (or is it the DVR box) get the video signal from my bedroom modem? Is there a hidden cost for them to install something additional they didn't say?

8. If I were to want to watch MioTV in my master bedroom, do i need a 2nd settop box, and what are the associated costs? Or is there another way to stream the video over?

9. For the wireless modem provided, can I switch off the wireless feature and only use its ethernet mode when desired? (To save electricity) :P


Option B - Subscribe to Mio Plan

Since I already have a (a) SingTel mobile (i-One plus under Corporate Scheme, paying about $25 a month, including Caller ID), (b) SingTel Fixed Line (paying $25 per quarter) and (c) a 1Mbps line ($30 a month), I thought it might be good to go for the 24-mth Mio Plan, where all 3 are combined in one package. Some niggling queries:

1. Under the Mio Plan, the Mio Voice will have a 3-mth free VAS pack (charge of $4.28 per/ mth applies thereafter). What is this VAS about? For some reason, I can't find anything about it on the SingTel website or FAQ. Also, can I cancel it in advance immediately upon signing up?

2. At the end of the 24-mth contract, can I:

a. choose to breakup the 3 services and renew each service separately with SingTel, or take up a new type of package with them? Is there a penalty charge?

b. choose to downgrade the BB line to say 1Mbps? Is there a penalty charge?

c. choose to only renew the BB and fixed line component, but go to another telco for the mobile package? Is there a penalty charge?

3. How will my current mobile corporate discount be factored into this? I currently also have a supplementary mobile line attached to my account.

4. If I were to sign up for the Mio Plan, do I get the freebies like the free wireless modem, compared with if I had signed up the BB line as a standalone package?

I'm a noobie to all this. Really appreciate anyone's advice :-)

biang. so many questions :s13: seriously..u got so much time to type all those, u should just call and ask tomorrow morning :s13:

u prefer wat non-singtel staff tell u or singtell staff to tell u ? :s13: later u got the wrong info, happy happy go apply ..then the staff tells u otherwise. ho seh

[raqhalzine]

My advice? Take SNBB 8mbps. Difference in speed is more than double but the price difference not much than 3mbps. You can choose not to take Mio TV. The channels suck. If u really want cable tv, get starhub. My own opinion anyway. U can save with Mio, but if you don't want MioTv, its a waste. U can't change wireless or non for e modem/router. Its concurrent. Doesn't consume much power anyway. Mine is on 24/7. N it hasnt burned out in what? 3 years?

[yhrt98]

Aiyo, I spent so much time typing becos I couldn't get through to SingNet hotline mah :-) It's also interesting to realise that they don't have an email address on their website for me to email these enquiries to either. Guess they want to avoid persistent customers :P

I'm also aware that it's freaking impossible to grab hold of a CSO at the IT Show to ask questions. Alot are part-timer marketers and are not able to clarify what I want to know properly. Sigh...

[yhrt98]

I've also found out the difference btw PictureBox and Film Factory. Its basically different film studios' on Demand Channels. Both are not true VOD channels though.

PictureBox is an On Demand Channel from NBC Universal, which is also available in the UK and Poland. It will offer 28 on-demand movies at any one time with key titles including “Johnny English”, “2 Fast 2 Furious”, “Blue Crush” and “8 Mile”. Seven titles will be refreshed weekly.

Disney’s subscription on-demand channel – called The Film Factory – features blockbuster titles such as “Armageddon”, “Air Force One”, “Pearl Harbor”, “Princess Diaries”, “Shanghai Knights” and “Signs”. This is the first time that Disney is offering such a service outside the US.

(adapted from http://www.reddawncommunications.com/redDawn_pressitem.php?article=117)

[sbsun1]

Mio plan (broadband, mobile, IP voice) allows me to upgrade a new mobile phone every 12 months without the $100 penalty.
For me, mio plan will be my plan for a long time, as I will need extend 1 more year contract after getting the new mobile phone.
I also have mio tv (2 free VOD per month, no minium subscription required), which I will cancel when the contract ends.

[danzodanzo]

Why do you want to cancel mio tv when you say there is NO min subscription required, i.e. FREE?


I also have mio tv (2 free VOD per month, no minium subscription required), which I will cancel when the contract ends.

[sbsun1]

Why do you want to cancel mio tv when you say there is NO min subscription required, i.e. FREE?

After my current miotv contract ends , if I want to keep mio tv, there will be a minimum subscription.
I plan to cancel it at that time unless it provides most of the channels that I subscribe from starhub now.

[Errz]

After my current miotv contract ends , if I want to keep mio tv, there will be a minimum subscription.
I plan to cancel it at that time unless it provides most of the channels that I subscribe from starhub now.

for Mio Home would be different, after the 1 yr free 2 supersaver pack, u can terminate the 2 supersaver pack and still contiune to pay wat u have been paying.

[yhrt98]

I went down to SingTel Comcentre to ask them about my queries. Their answers in blue below, for those interested to see what they say.

Option A - Recontract but upgrade to a standalone 3Mbps pacakge

Some of these 24-mth contracts include $22.90/mth (free Ethernet modem, free rental of True HD box, free 9mth-DVR subscription), or $26.90/mth (same as above, but with wireless modemhttp://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/mag-glass_10x10.gif (http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?t=2300344#) and 1 additional 12-mth free On Demand Channel)

Some queries:

1. Is the HD box also the DVR box?

A: Yes. If you choose not to have DVR scubscription, the HD box will come without harddisk inside. If you want the DVR subscription, it'll come with HDD inside.

2. I already have a LG RH1988WS hard-disk video recorder. Can I choose to use this and not install the DVR box nor take up the DVR subscription?

A: Yes.

For the $26.90/mth package that comes with On Demand Channel, am I able to record video using my own machine?

A: No. Signal supposedly encrypted and only recordable using their Mio DVR machine. Anyone can validate this claim? This would also mean I cannot record normal free-to-air channels using my own recorder.

3. If I must use the DVR subscription (and pay $10.70/mth for the frst 3 mths before the free 9-mth window kicks in), can I tell SingNet way in advance to automatically cancel the subscription once the total 12 mths is up? I'm pretty certain I'll forget when the expiry date ends http://www.hardwarezone.com/img/forums/styles/hwz/smilies/frown.gif;pva7c53785704671aa

A: Yes, u can tell them before the subscription starts, that you don't want the DVR subscription at all. But once it starts, it is your responsibility to tell them in the 12th month to cancel after the 12th month.

4. Is the HD Box also the Set-Top Box to receive the MioTV On Demand Channel?

A: Yes.

5. What is the difference btw the Film Factory Channel and the PictureBox channel? Both seem to offer Hollywood movies.

A: As answered in earlier post.

6. Does the "free 12 mth" On Demand Channel have a hidden charge, i.e. free connection, but must still buy a minimum charge of movies that is costed separately?

A: No. This is different from the Supersave packages.

7. My current modem is in my study room. My TV is in the living roomhttp://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/mag-glass_10x10.gif (http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?t=2300344#), not near a telephone point. How does the Mio TV set-top box (or is it the DVR box) get the video signal from my bedroom modem? Is there a hidden cost for them to install something additional they didn't say?

A: 2 options: They'll connect a long and ugly Ethernet cable for you, or you pay $50 to get a pair of Comtrend Homeplugs. The Ruckuss wireless router is no longer available.

8. If I were to want to watch MioTV in my master bedroom, do i need a 2nd settop box, and what are the associated costs? Or is there another way to stream the video over?

A: Yes, you need to pay for a 2nd set-top box, buy another phone line (and number).

9. For the wireless modem provided, can I switch off the wireless feature and only use its ethernet mode when desired? (To save electricity) http://www.hardwarezone.com/img/forums/styles/hwz/smilies/razz.gif;pv0ea4fdec25956be1

A: No.

Option B - Subscribe to Mio Plan

Since I already have a (a) SingTel mobile (i-One plus under Corporate Scheme, paying about $25 a month, including Caller ID), (b) SingTel Fixed Line (paying $25 per quarter) and (c) a 1Mbps line ($30 a month), I thought it might be good to go for the 24-mth Mio Plan, where all 3 are combined in one package. Some niggling queries:

1. Under the Mio Plan, the Mio Voice will have a 3-mth free VAS pack (charge of $4.28 per/ mth applies thereafter). What is this VAS about? For some reason, I can't find anything about it on the SingTel website or FAQ. Also, can I cancel it in advance immediately upon signing up?

A: Yes, u can cancel in advance, but only before the Plan starts.

2. At the end of the 24-mth contract, can I:

a. choose to breakup the 3 services and renew each service separately with SingTel, or take up a new type of package with them? Is there a penalty charge?

A: Yes. No penalties.

b. choose to downgrade the BB line to say 1Mbps? Is there a penalty charge?

A: Yes. No penalties.

c. choose to only renew the BB and fixed line component, but go to another telco for the mobile package? Is there a penalty charge?

A: Yes. No penalties.

3. How will my current mobile corporate discount be factored into this? I currently also have a supplementary mobile line attached to my account.

A: I'll lose my CIS corporate discount, cos the Mio Plan is already "competitively priced". My supplementary lines will be transferred over to my Mio Plan. The supplementary line discounts will also be gone; instead they'll enjoy a 10% Mio Supplementary line discount. However, not all mobile plans enjoy a discount. Some plans, like Classic get 50% discount.

4. If I were to sign up for the Mio Plan, do I get the freebies like the free wireless modem, compared with if I had signed up the BB line as a standalone package?

A: Yes.

[Errz]

3. How will my current mobile corporate discount be factored into this? I currently also have a supplementary mobile line attached to my account.


A: I'll lose my CIS corporate discount, cos the Mio Plan is already "competitively priced". My supplementary lines will be transferred over to my Mio Plan. The supplementary line discounts will also be gone; instead they'll enjoy a 10% Mio Supplementary line discount. However, not all mobile plans enjoy a discount. Some plans, like Classic get 50% discount.

A: Yes.

For mio Home customers:
15% mobile line discount
+ Annual Handset Upgrade
+ Free Caller-ID
+ 15% discount on v019 calls

For mio Home customers and
nominated family members:

* 20% discount for 2 mobile lines
* 25% discount for 3 mobile lines
* 30% discount for 4 mobile lines
* 30% discount for 5 mobile lines
http://home.singtel.com/mio/mio_home_exclusive.html

[sbsun1]

9. For the wireless modem provided, can I switch off the wireless feature and only use its ethernet mode when desired? (To save electricity) http://www.hardwarezone.com/img/forums/styles/hwz/smilies/razz.gif;pv0ea4fdec25956be1

A: No.



I can disable wireless option in my mio 2wire 2701HGV-E gateway voice modem,

[chunlianghere]

It's also interesting to realise that they don't have an email address on their website for me to email these enquiries to either. Guess they want to avoid persistent customers :P

it is under Help, Customer Service.

than Contact Us, Email Us(on the rite).

mayb u need to spend more time to explore their website.:P

[yhrt98]

it is under Help, Customer Service.

than Contact Us, Email Us(on the rite).

mayb u need to spend more time to explore their website.:P

Aiyoh, if you're referring to

http://home.singtel.com/customer_service/cust_serv_emailus.asp

I'm afraid I already tried that previously. The so-called "Email Us" hyperlink only brings you to a HTML webpage with an input form, with a 850-char limit somemore!

file:///C:/TEMP/moz-screenshot.jpg

[kimyong]

For mio Home customers:
15% mobile line discount
+ Annual Handset Upgrade
+ Free Caller-ID
+ 15% discount on v019 calls

For mio Home customers and
nominated family members:

* 20% discount for 2 mobile lines
* 25% discount for 3 mobile lines
* 30% discount for 4 mobile lines
* 30% discount for 5 mobile lines
http://home.singtel.com/mio/mio_home_exclusive.html

TS was referring to MIO Plan, nothing to do with the discount scheme of mbile lines for MIO Home subscribers. Mobile subscription is a bundled service of MIO Plan, but is not a bundled service of MIO Home. For MIO Home, need to have a separate mobile subscription, just able to nominate it to enjoy discount mentioned by Errz..

[winguy]

What is this VAS about?
Hi,

Wish to know what this VAS pack is about too.

- Basic VAS Pack FREE for 1st 3 months ($4.28/mth applies thereafter)

Thanks.

[Jas007]

Hi,

Wish to know what this VAS pack is about too.

- Basic VAS Pack FREE for 1st 3 months ($4.28/mth applies thereafter)

Thanks.

VAS = Value added services
for better understanding, refer to SingTel's FAQ ...
in brief,
VAS if for home phone (be it analogue / MioVoice) = caller id call waiting etc
VAS for broadband = antispam antivirus etc

note that VAS is free for 3 mths thereafter basic monthly charges applies ...
if u do not need these it's best to cancel them on the spot when signing up for your plan ...

[winguy]

VAS = Value added services
for better understanding, refer to SingTel's FAQ ...
in brief,
VAS if for home phone (be it analogue / MioVoice) = caller id call waiting etc
VAS for broadband = antispam antivirus etc

note that VAS is free for 3 mths thereafter basic monthly charges applies ...
if u do not need these it's best to cancel them on the spot when signing up for your plan ...

Thanks. Didn't see the VAS mentioned in Mio Plan FAQ. Realized it is in the Mio Voice FAQ instead. :)

Got some questions. My situation is like this:
1. Mobile: intend to use "Full Mobile Number Portability" to switch from my mum's M1 corporate line (not under contract). Qn: do I have to transfer ownership of the M1 line from my mum to me first (mum M1 -> me M1, then me M1 -> me mio plan), or can we do it directly at singtel when signing up mio plan with my mum present (mum M1 -> me mio plan)? I hope it is the latter otherwise there may be admin charge at M1 side.

2. Fixed line: current fixed line ownership is my bro. Again, need to transfer ownership to me first (bro fixed line -> me fixed line, then me fixed line -> me mio plan), or can do it on the directly when signing up mio plan with my bro present (bro fixed line -> me mio plan)? Again I hope the latter is possible.

Thanks!

[MarineX]

I can disable wireless option in my mio 2wire 2701HGV-E gateway voice modem,

yup. 100% can be turned OFF.