Singtel 1 Gbps Fibre

[xiaofan]

Hi, I plan to switch to Singtel 1 gbps basic plan due to staff benefits.

Currently, my setup is as follows:
ONT -> wired lan ->Router 1
Router 1 < 5Ghz Wifi > Router 2
Router 2 -> wired lan -> PC

(1) If I switch to Singtel which will give me ONR, can I connect a LAN cable from ONR to Router 1 via wired lan as above?

I'm not a technical guy but I remember I just had to configure Router 2 to have this setup. Since many are saying you can't configure much on the ONR, which would be acting the equivalent of ONT+Router 1, I guess it shouldn't affect me too much...?

(2) If not, can I connect ONR directly to Router 2?
i.e. ONR < 5Ghz Wifi > Router 2 -> wired lan -> PC

(3) what are the usual charges that I must be aware of to check if they will be waived since I'm switching from 1 ISP to another?
Eg. Registration fee, Service Activation fee, anything else?

(4) Can I port my digital home number from M1 to Singtel?

Personally, from what i read here, Singtel= ONR + high international latency=bad but the staff benefits are kind of great to ignore

If you really want to go with Singtel because of the Staff benefits, that is fine as well.

What are your existing Router 1 and Router 2?

1) Yes you can, it is better that you set up Router 1 as AP to avoid Double NAT.
Ref: https://kb.netgear.com/30186/What-is-double-NAT-and-why-is-it-bad

2) ONR does not have wireless function. Singtel will give the Singtel Mesh Router (AC1900) or Singtel Mesh Extender (AC2600). Both are not too bad but not too good either.

3) You'd better contact Singtel to confirm. Usually you will need to pay for NLT charges.

4) That should be okay.

What you need to worry about is whether you need something that ONR can not do.
For example, you can not change the DNS server.

And you need to check whether you need certain port forwarding issues if you need that.
Ref: https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/singtel-port-forwarding-issue.6755972/

 

[xiaofan]

Both M1 and Starhub are okay choices. If you need free digital voice you have to go with M1. As for latency, I am not so sure -- not into gaming at all and I do not see any latency issues with Singtel for the things I do at home.

I happen to be a long time Starhub customer so I will probably choose Starhub over M1.

If you are into gaming and worry about international latency, then you may want to specify the gaming servers as different ISP may perfrom differently for different games.

And it is not always true that Singtel has the worst latency -- sometimes Singtel may be the better ones.

It is said that MyRepublic and Viewquest may be more open to request of route change request if you encounter routing issues. But it is better to check in the respective MyRepublic and Viewquest thread. Viewquest seems to be pretty unstable and not worth going. And people started to complain about MyRepublic after the Starhub acqusition.

So the safer bet is Starhub and M1 but they may not be as good as MyRepublic/Viewquest in terms of routing change request to reduce latency.

 

[firesong]

Given that SH has "acquired" MR, I feel that SH could be a safer bet over M1 in the longer term. This is assuming that MR influences SHBB. Conversely, if we make the assumption that MR "gains" SH's BB policies, then I would say VQ would be the better bet.

However, I have my own reservations about VQ and its recent drop in quality by friends who are even more demanding of their networks - it's why I categorically ruled it out when I was planning the ISP change 2y back. It'll soon be time to change again, and SH looks to be winning

 

[xiaonajia]

If you really want to go with Singtel because of the Staff benefits, that is fine as well.

What are your existing Router 1 and Router 2?

1) Yes you can, it is better that you set up Router 1 as AP to avoid Double NAT.
Ref: https://kb.netgear.com/30186/What-is-double-NAT-and-why-is-it-bad

2) ONR does not have wireless function. Singtel will give the Singtel Mesh Router (AC1900) or Singtel Mesh Extender (AC2600). Both are not too bad but not too good either.

3) You'd better contact Singtel to confirm. Usually you will need to pay for NLT charges.

4) That should be okay.

What you need to worry about is whether you need something that ONR can not do.
For example, you can not change the DNS server.

And you need to check whether you need certain port forwarding issues if you need that.
Ref: https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/singtel-port-forwarding-issue.6755972/

Router 1 - Asus AC1200
Router 2 - Archer C6

Router 1 didn't had any special config.
Router 2 - Disabled DHCP. It's in AP mode (I think?). I followed this video :

I came up with this idea because I have blind/weak spot in my room. Found some old routers lying arond and decided to use router 2 and wired LAN so I get fast connection. So far, I didn't encounter any network issues so this double NAT doesn't really concern me. Maybe I don't even know how much faster it can be if it's resolved haha

I do not tinker with DNS server or port forward so no issues there

I know these router models are old but hey it works and I'm a cheapo. I use whatever the ISP give me for free

 

[xiaofan]

ISP's high end router offerings.

1) M1 has the best offer now, S$13 for the high end Asus ROG GT-AX6000 (which is better than RT-AX86U from Singtel).
https://www.m1.com.sg/home-broadband/devices/asus-rog-rapture-gt-ax6000
2) Singtel has the Asus RT-AX86U normal model at S$17 per month (exclusive to Singtel). But if you are using 1Gbps plan and you are using the unbridged ONR, the function of the RT-AX86U becomes crippled.

3) Starhub has the Linksys AX4200 tri-band. Some people manage to get it free and that is a very good deal. But usually you need to top up

 

[Genkunzz]

Saw the Wifi 6 1Gbps recontract offer on singtel with Linksys E9450.
Is it worth to change to that?
Will it help to remove the wifi mesh in the room.

Current setup

ONT -> Singtel AC plus -> Samsung Homehub

 

[xiaofan]

Saw the Wifi 6 1Gbps recontract offer on singtel with Linksys E9450.
Is it worth to change to that?
Will it help to remove the wifi mesh in the room.
Current setup
ONT -> Singtel AC plus -> Samsung Homehub

It should perform better than your current setup. AC Plus is the worst router in town.

 

[panicsotong]

Do singtel change the initial ONT to ONR if I upgrade from 1gb plan to 1+1 plan?

 

[xiaofan]

Do singtel change the initial ONT to ONR if I upgrade from 1gb plan to 1+1 plan?

Yes that is a must. But it is okay for 1+1 plan as one of the ports is bridged so that you can use the powerful RT-AX86U as the main router for this network (bridged, 1Gbps, one public IPv4 address, no SingTel VLAN required, no SingTel TV box connection). The other three ports are not bridged for you to connect to another router and also SingTel TV boxes (not bridged, 1Gbps, one public IPv4 address).

Take note this is better than the 2Gbps plan as you will also need to change to the ONR and the ONR cannot be bridged for 2Gbps plan (single network, single IPv4 address, aggregated 2Gbps across the 4 ONR ports).

 

[Dashie]

Hi I currently have singtel 1GBPS with ONT (I think) if I recontract for the 1Gbps again will they force me to change to ONR for the Wifi6 router ?

 

[xiaofan]

Hi I currently have singtel 1GBPS with ONT (I think) if I recontract for the 1Gbps again will they force me to change to ONR for the Wifi6 router ?

I belive NOT. But please confirm with Singtel to get it black and white before sigining the recontract.

 

[panicsotong]

Yes that is a must. But it is okay for 1+1 plan as one of the ports is bridged so that you can use the powerful RT-AX86U as the main router for this network (bridged, 1Gbps, one public IPv4 address, no SingTel VLAN required, no SingTel TV box connection). The other three ports are not bridged for you to connect to another router and also SingTel TV boxes (not bridged, 1Gbps, one public IPv4 address).

Take note this is better than the 2Gbps plan as you will also need to change to the ONR and the ONR cannot be bridged for 2Gbps plan (single network, single IPv4 address, aggregated 2Gbps across the 4 ONR ports).

Do I need to put in any special setting request on the ONR if they come to change? I intend to use the function of the dual wan load balancing from Rt-ax86u to achieve 2gbps.

 

[xiaofan]

Do I need to put in any special setting request on the ONR if they come to change? I intend to use the function of the dual wan load balancing from Rt-ax86u to achieve 2gbps.

No need to do anything for the ONR since you are subscribed to 1+1 Gbps plan.

 

[panicsotong]

No need to do anything for the ONR since you are subscribed to 1+1 Gbps plan.

I'm not subscribed to that plan yet. I intend to. I'm just wondering if they'll bridge the ONR to make ax86u my main router or just set it up as an AP. I'm a little confused with what some others are saying on hwz with some saying singtel no longer entertaining request on bridged ONR which is my main concern. First thing that came to my mind was that do I have to request first? If I do, that means there is a possibility of rejection. If they reject bridging ONR, then does it mean I won't be able to use the dual wan load balancing function anymore? Or am I misunderstanding the situation whereby the rejection to bridge ONR is for 1gbps plans only and for 1+1 gbps plans, it comes naturally with bridged ONR? I'm not sure what's happening now but I certainly do not want to waste money if I recontract to 1+1 gbps, singtel come and change my current ONT to ONR only for me to realise that its an absolute downgrade because singtel refuse to bridge onr to let ax86u become the main router and a wasted 1gbps line because I only intend to merge both lines for single line use.

 

[xiaofan]

I'm not subscribed to that plan yet. I intend to. I'm just wondering if they'll bridge the ONR to make ax86u my main router or just set it up as an AP. I'm a little confused with what some others are saying on hwz with some saying singtel no longer entertaining request on bridged ONR which is my main concern. First thing that came to my mind was that do I have to request first? If I do, that means there is a possibility of rejection. If they reject bridging ONR, then does it mean I won't be able to use the dual wan load balancing function anymore? Or am I misunderstanding the situation whereby the rejection to bridge ONR is for 1gbps plans only and for 1+1 gbps plans, it comes naturally with bridged ONR? I'm not sure what's happening now but I certainly do not want to waste money if I recontract to 1+1 gbps, singtel come and change my current ONT to ONR only for me to realise that its an absolute downgrade because singtel refuse to bridge onr to let ax86u become the main router and a wasted 1gbps line because I only intend to merge both lines for single line use.

The rejection to bridge Singtel ONR is for 1gbps plans only. And it is impossible to bridge the Singtel ONR for 2Gbps plan and the 2Gbps is mostly useless for majority of the users (>95% or even >99%).

For 1+1 gbps plans, it comes naturally with bridged ONR:
1) one port bridged for the RT-AX86U as the main router and with full function, no VLAN configuration needed, no Singtel TV box connection.
2) three ports unbridged for another wireless AP and Singtel TV box

You can use RT-AX86U Dual WAN Load Balancing feature with the Singtel 1+1 plan.

 

[panicsotong]

The rejection to bridge Singtel ONR is for 1gbps plans only. And it is impossible to bridge the Singtel ONR for 2Gbps plan and the 2Gbps is mostly useless for majority of the users (>95% or even >99%).

For 1+1 gbps plans, it comes naturally with bridged ONR:
1) one port bridged for the RT-AX86U as the main router and with full function, no VLAN configuration needed, no Singtel TV box connection.
2) three ports unbridged for another wireless AP and Singtel TV box

You can use RT-AX86U Dual WAN Load Balancing feature with the Singtel 1+1 plan.

Thank you for clearing this up! Now I can just wait for the right time to upgrade my plan.

But on a side note, is m1 good? How's their downtime frequency? I see that they're offering a very attractive 1+1 plan for now.

 

[xiaofan]

Thank you for clearing this up! Now I can just wait for the right time to upgrade my plan.
But on a side note, is m1 good? How's their downtime frequency? I see that they're offering a very attractive 1+1 plan for now.

M1 is a good choice. Starhub is another good choice.

 

[SNAG]

Hi I currently have singtel 1GBPS with ONT (I think) if I recontract for the 1Gbps again will they force me to change to ONR for the Wifi6 router ?

I belive NOT. But please confirm with Singtel to get it black and white before sigining the recontract.

Hi all,

Wonder if there are any updates to your recontract? Currently on bridged ONR (to my Unifi equipment). Planning to recontract and wonder if they will reset the bridging profile.

 

[firesong]

Hi all,

Wonder if there are any updates to your recontract? Currently on bridged ONR (to my Unifi equipment). Planning to recontract and wonder if they will reset the bridging profile.

I think he's on ONT and worried about hardware change, which is more straightforward - if they don't change his actual hardware to a ONR, he has no issues continuing.

As for bridged ONR users, the uncertainty is more real. Anytime they can decide to push the default profile via TR-069. It can be triggered by anything, including a "routine maintenance" on their end. That's the issue. When you factor in their potential to drive sales to a 1+1Gbps plan if users really want to bridge a port, there's a business loophole here that can be exploited if they so desire.

I'm not risking the recontract when mine is up - it's two whole years for them to push out a profile, and a lot of things can change in 2 years. Have spoken to my folks already and made clear we are switching.

 

[SNAG]

I think he's on ONT and worried about hardware change, which is more straightforward - if they don't change his actual hardware to a ONR, he has no issues continuing.

As for bridged ONR users, the uncertainty is more real. Anytime they can decide to push the default profile via TR-069. It can be triggered by anything, including a "routine maintenance" on their end. That's the issue. When you factor in their potential to drive sales to a 1+1Gbps plan if users really want to bridge a port, there's a business loophole here that can be exploited if they so desire.

I'm not risking the recontract when mine is up - it's two whole years for them to push out a profile, and a lot of things can change in 2 years. Have spoken to my folks already and made clear we are switching.

Thanks. Am still on Singtel because the package comes bundled with legacy landline, which makes things cheaper. Switching to M1 (with digital voice) will mess up legacy phone endpoints.

Business motivation aside, anyone knows what was their reason to discontinue ONR bridging?

Personally I think the risk isn't high: 1) it's just bad practice to push config profiles unannounced - you risk breaking home networks and will incur user wrath/follow-up tech support, 2) it's not difficult to keep this userbase with the legacy ONT pool, unless we're talking about a forced change to ONR for everyone.