1Gbps Fibre fast enough?

[sglandscape]

I have always subscribed to M1 1Gbps, and no idea how 500Mbps is good or sufficient enough for household of 4, and just need for 2 desktop PC, 2 laptops and 4 mobile devices, plus two smart TVs. Usually just use for Netflix, Zoom calls and browsing plus occasional download of files. Not gaming online.

Anyone of you have tried downgrading from 1Gbps plan down to 500Mbps and was there any noticeable change or downgrade in performance?

Thanks in advance.

Have actually went the other way and it was not noticeable if all your devices are mainly on wireless actually back in the AC days, practical speeds is around 200-300Mbps with 2x2 spatial streams.

Most noticeable for my wired desktops especially for game downloads or big OS updates/patches, or big file uploads. You save a few minutes at a time.

 

[lobukong]

Not quite true?

Do you game? Do you do Windows updates? Do you download Linux isos? Do you sync your files to onedrive or Google drive?

I've found having a 1Gbps vs previously a 100mbps connection made a huge difference. With most computers coming with an SSD these days, having a burstable speed of up to 10Gbps is much appreciated.

A game download could easily exceed 100GB. A holiday trip shot in raw would easily be 100GB, backup of 4K footages would also easily exceed 100GB for a single trip. These are not even power users usage. Look at the demand for 1TB capacity smart phones these days.

What game needs more than 1Gbps? Or you enjoy downloading more than actual gaming?
Windows update? So you feel happy when your computer is able restarts immediately after windows push an update?
Linux ISO? How many time do you download linux isos? What's the benefit of having linux isos early?
You sync your raw picture/video to onedrive & google drive? Interesting choice.

Well, you can absolutely feel happy about your 10Gbps. You can even share some pictures showing how you are benefiting from the super fast speed and I'll like them all. As all I can see in the forum are some speedtest results. Nothing else, which bored me and let me develop a negative view on the 10Gbps thing.
Better yet, you can even share your washing machine's pipe when you do renovation. I'll like that picture also.

 

[sglandscape]

What game needs more than 1Gbps? Or you enjoy downloading more than actual gaming?
Windows update? So you feel happy when your computer is able restarts immediately after windows push an update?
Linux ISO? How many time do you download linux isos? What's the benefit of having linux isos early?
You sync your raw picture/video to onedrive & google drive? Interesting choice.

Well, you can absolutely feel happy about your 10Gbps. You can even share some pictures showing how you are benefiting from the super fast speed and I'll like them all. As all I can see in the forum are some speedtest results. Nothing else, which bored me and let me develop a negative view on the 10Gbps thing.
Better yet, you can even share your washing machine's pipe when you do renovation. I'll like that picture also.

Not sure why you're coming across as so salty and pigeon holed that your use case is the only use case.

 

[lobukong]

Not sure why you're coming across as so salty and pigeon holed that your use case is the only use case.

? I said you can share some pictures of your use case and I'll like them. In case you didn't read my previous post.

 

[bert64]

What game needs more than 1Gbps? Or you enjoy downloading more than actual gaming?
Windows update? So you feel happy when your computer is able restarts immediately after windows push an update?
Linux ISO? How many time do you download linux isos? What's the benefit of having linux isos early?
You sync your raw picture/video to onedrive & google drive? Interesting choice.

Well, you can absolutely feel happy about your 10Gbps. You can even share some pictures showing how you are benefiting from the super fast speed and I'll like them all. As all I can see in the forum are some speedtest results. Nothing else, which bored me and let me develop a negative view on the 10Gbps thing.
Better yet, you can even share your washing machine's pipe when you do renovation. I'll like that picture also.

That's the point, most of these things happen in the background. Software downloads some updates (windows, games etc) overnight and in the morning you get notified about them.
The extra cost to make the rare case where you sit and watch a download happen faster is usually never worth it.

Also you will find that even if you have 10gb, the download sites might not - or they might be sharing 10gb with a large number of users. When 1gbps connections first became available, a lot of the speedtest servers and download mirrors were still on 100mbps. I sat in a datacenter with a 1gbps connection years ago and could never get more than 100mbps, usually a lot less, but i could sustain several 100mbps downloads simultaneously without a problem.

 

[lobukong]

> 3) have real needs for 10Gbps bandwidth -- only minorities among the users who subscribe to 10G plans.

A few possibilities. There will be more use cases in the future.
1) People who really download a lot
2) Content creators who need to upload contents to multiple sites, or need to upload files to collaborators to carry out video editing
3) host servers for other people to access the contents (eg: Linux ISO mirrors)

The 2nd one seems to be the most 'useful' use case. As recently I heard in a videos says successful youtubers like 老高与小茉 are moving to Singapore for tax reasons. Probably Singapore aims to become the city for influencer.

 

[jasonho]

The 2nd one seems to be the most 'useful' use case. As recently I heard in a videos says successful youtubers like 老高与小茉 are moving to Singapore for tax reasons. Probably Singapore aims to become the city for influencer.

Not probably, it is already an "incubation hub" country for youtubers.

From what I understand, the Mr and Mrs Gao already moved to SG since 2021. There are many more youtubers like the following :

https://unscrambled.sg/2020/01/14/c...hy-she-decides-to-move-to-singapore-for-good/

https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/...ose-singapore-sinkies-nvr-appreciate.7003694/

https://theindependent.sg/msian-who-left-my-for-sg-now-earns-s20k-month-as-youtuber/

you can be sure there are many more.

 

[sglandscape]

That's the point, most of these things happen in the background. Software downloads some updates (windows, games etc) overnight and in the morning you get notified about them.
The extra cost to make the rare case where you sit and watch a download happen faster is usually never worth it.

Also you will find that even if you have 10gb, the download sites might not - or they might be sharing 10gb with a large number of users. When 1gbps connections first became available, a lot of the speedtest servers and download mirrors were still on 100mbps. I sat in a datacenter with a 1gbps connection years ago and could never get more than 100mbps, usually a lot less, but i could sustain several 100mbps downloads simultaneously without a problem.

True for servers that runs 24/7 but not for end user devices. People don't keep their laptops running overnight, and for games if you purchase a new game the tendency is the impatience to start playing is there (even if it's not often you need those peak speeds).

Use case of speed test brag is kinda lame though.

 

[lobukong]

True for servers that runs 24/7 but not for end user devices. People don't keep their laptops running overnight, and for games if you purchase a new game the tendency is the impatience to start playing is there (even if it's not often you need those peak speeds).

Use case of speed test brag is kinda lame though.

show a pic better than this please?

More than enough 15mins can download 150gb steam files.

 

[bert64]

True for servers that runs 24/7 but not for end user devices. People don't keep their laptops running overnight, and for games if you purchase a new game the tendency is the impatience to start playing is there (even if it's not often you need those peak speeds).

Use case of speed test brag is kinda lame though.

End user devices download in the background, if not overnight then while you're using the device for other things.
Apple laptops have a feature called "power nap" which will do various things (perform backups, retrieve messages, download updates) while the laptop is asleep if it's connected to the charger. Using it during the day on battery and connecting to charger at night is a very common use case.

Waiting to start playing a new game is probably the only use case that really benefits. Whether you can justify the cost to save a few minutes when you download a new game is another matter. Generally you will spend more time actually playing games than downloading new ones, unless the games are really very lousy.

Some games can also download content in the background, so you only have to wait for the code and the first level to download before you can start playing and all the subsequent data is downloaded while you're playing.

Also if you just want to brag about speedtest results, go rent an AWS instance with 100gbps. You will probably find that none of the speedtest servers can keep up with it.
https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/aws/new-c5n-instances-with-100-gbps-networking/

 

[xiaofan]

From the following.
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/...epublic-and-vq.6930337/page-91#post-151448625

1Gbps is sufficient for most use cases.

However, people may go to 10Gbps plan for different reasons.
1) tech savvy and want to try new things, it has become much more affordable now.
2) the contents and/or WiFi 7 router bundle from Starhub may make the 10Gbps plan cheaper than 1Gbps plan for Starhub users to who need the bundled contents or want to upgrade to WiFi 7 router.
3) have real needs for 10Gbps bandwidth -- only minorities among the users who subscribe to 10G plans.

Edit to update: need to re-calculate as the offloading price can be low at around S$450.

https://myrepublic.net/sg/10gbps/
MR HyperSpeed 10Gbps at $59.99/mth, Top up $50 for TP-Link Archer BE805 Wi-Fi 7 router (worth $799).

S$59.99 - S$(450-50)/24 = S$43.32 per month.

MR nofrills 1Gbps plan is at S$37.99 per month.
https://myrepublic.net/sg/broadband/1gbps/

Edit: Updated the original points to the following.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
People may go to 10Gbps plan for different reasons.
1) tech savvy and want to try new things, it has become much more affordable now.

2) the contents and/or WiFi 7 router bundle from Starhub may make the 10Gbps plan cheaper than or at least not much more expensive than Starhub 1Gbps plan for Starhub users to who need the bundled contents or want to upgrade to WiFi 7 router. For MR users who want the WiFi 7 router. it may still be a good deal as it is only a bit more expensive than 1Gbps.

3) have real needs for 10Gbps bandwidth -- only minorities among the users who subscribe to 10G plans.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

> 3) have real needs for 10Gbps bandwidth -- only minorities among the users who subscribe to 10G plans.

A few possibilities. There will be more use cases in the future.
1) People who really download a lot
2) Content creators who need to upload contents to multiple sites, or need to upload files to collaborators to carry out video editing
3) host servers for other people to access the contents (eg: Linux ISO mirrors)

No 2 is probably the more likely reason now. More and more people may create more contents in the future with AI tools like Sora.

Future AR/VR/MetaVerse thingy may require more bandwidth and lower latency.

 

[ksw2010]

Who needs more broadband 10G speeds? Who ever knows?

The time back in 2006-2008, internet line speed 30-50 Mbps was perfectly good enough. People that time talked abt upgrading to 1Gbps sounded so unnecessary. Who could have ever imagined that today subscribe for 1Gbps as a standard package now? And presently, with the AI era is developing and many of the ways digital developments will change the way we work and live are not entirely known in advance.

 

[xiaofan]

Who needs more broadband 10G speeds? Who ever knows?

The time back in 2006-2008, internet line speed 30-50 Mbps was perfectly good enough. People that time talked abt upgrading to 1Gbps sounded so unnecessary. Who could have ever imagined that today subscribe for 1Gbps as a standard package now? And presently, with the AI era is developing and many of the ways digital developments will change the way we work and live are not entirely known in advance.

If we follow the government's plan, 10G service will be the norm (50%) for the typical household in 2028. Let's see how it goes. At that time, maybe there will be no more 1G services and minimum will be 2.5G services. Then maybe there will be high end 20G/25G services already.

I tend to think the 50% number may well be achievable since the pricing of 10G plan in 2028 will likely be equal to 1Gbps plan last year at around S$40 per month (S$40 + infration). Worse case may be in 2030.

Now S$60 - S$70 with 10G router in 2024 --> S$ 50 to S$60 with 10G router in 2026 --> S$40 to S$50 with 10G router in 2028

https://www.imda.gov.sg/resources/p...sg-investing-ahead-for-nbn-to-be-future-ready

More than half a million households are expected to sign up and benefit from higher speeds of up to 10Gbps by 2028.

 

[lobukong]

Who needs more broadband 10G speeds? Who ever knows?

The time back in 2006-2008, internet line speed 30-50 Mbps was perfectly good enough. People that time talked abt upgrading to 1Gbps sounded so unnecessary. Who could have ever imagined that today subscribe for 1Gbps as a standard package now? And presently, with the AI era is developing and many of the ways digital developments will change the way we work and live are not entirely known in advance.

If everyone agrees nobody knows then I guess the OP's question is answered then.

If it only may have some applications in the future, why pay the price now?

The number is just a lie.
On 10G plan, is the connection to China good? Probably not, because the connection is very expressive. But I thought the 10G plan is also expensive?

Is 10G plan still a 10G plan if only connection to speed test server is 10G and rest all same with 1G? Then what's the difference between a 10G with an speed test server that can show better results the more you pay?

 

[Henry Ng]

You are the lucky one as you only need to pay S$20+ for Starhub 1 Gbps plan. Just be happy with it then. No need to look for a new plan any time soon since you are happy with the current plan.

Actually earlier the old M1 also got promotion for 1Gbps for $29.90/month and now with the GST increased, $30+ but do not forget that their plan is very old so their existing router in their home is also very old. He can consider Simba 2.5Gbps plan la.

 

[Henry Ng]

I have always subscribed to M1 1Gbps, and no idea how 500Mbps is good or sufficient enough for household of 4, and just need for 2 desktop PC, 2 laptops and 4 mobile devices, plus two smart TVs. Usually just use for Netflix, Zoom calls and browsing plus occasional download of files. Not gaming online.

Anyone of you have tried downgrading from 1Gbps plan down to 500Mbps and was there any noticeable change or downgrade in performance?

Thanks in advance.

Honestly one day such 500Mbps plan will be remove for sure as ISP will be pushing for 10Gbps very soon. So do not see any benefits of down grading and do not forget that 500 Mbps do not come with a router and your existing router may be too old. If possible just jump to 10Gbps now since one day will sure have to move over to 10Gbps.

 

[Mach3.2]

The number is just a lie.
On 10G plan, is the connection to China good? Probably not, because the connection is very expressive. But I thought the 10G plan is also expensive?

Honestly it depends, not so black and white. A lot of content are served locally over local CDN nodes and you can probably get close to 10Gigs for those stuff. But if the content is not available locally, then ya you have to go through your ISP's upstream IP transit where there probably isn't enough capacity end to end between you and the content server to hit 10Gbps.

Like other major CDN and cloud providers, MS and Google have presence at the local IXes (Equinix IX, SGIX, BBIX, etc) and probably peer privately with the ISPs (SingTel? no idea ) for local traffic, but whether services like G drive or Onedrive allow you to upload and download at 10Gbps, that's another story.
Maybe someone want to test those services out with their brand spanking new 10Gbps connection?

 

[TanKianW]

show a pic better than this please?

This?

Anyway, like you said, once in a while game DL is not the most worthwhile use case for 10G since it is pretty one-off and you are only as fast as the game server can serve. This is last night 三缺一 piak helldiver 2 session which I totally forgot about it and have to chiong download to be part of the 4-men-child team.

Twice a week, I do off-prem data back-up and depublication for several production servers which I lately took off the subscription cloud. I will sync TBs of data, snapshots and logs on a tight schedule (off peak) between my home 10G internet and a work-lab on enterprise 10G. 10G internet allows me to do my backup much faster without the bottleneck of a 1G network, and at the same time still serving my customers and users on live servers with the implementation of a load-balancer. However, even with that workload, I am seeing max out at 5 - 7G peak.

If you don't see the practical use case for 10G, then I guess you most likely do not need it. In fact, most home users do not need it. Instead of pursuing and chasing the "fasterest" wired/wireless speedtest which gets you bored easily, I find starting experimenting and building a homelab probably will mean more fun and learnt more stuff along the way. Who knows, you will eventually find more future use cases for 10G.

Maybe can start with building that (half) Petabyte project and running AI inference from your home?? Mine still target to be commissioned by end Apr.

 

[Mach3.2]

This? ​

There will probably be times where you'd still need to wait for the cheapskate (people like me) that's on 500Mbps to finish downloading the game/patch

 

[lobukong]

Yes, 10G connections to local server/CDN, but normal people don't need more than 1G to local server/CDN. So it's very difficult to justify 10G = 10 times better than 1G as the marketing materials wish people to believe.