Singtel 1 Gbps Fibre

[firesong]

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.

I understand. Yes, Singtel is the only one that still bundles the analog line for those who rejected the upgrade to digital. They refused to let me downgrade back to an analog line when I ported back in 2y back. Even if I were willing to pay the phone call costs and waive the free outgoing calls that came with the digital line, they rejected my request.

For my case, since I have nothing tying me to them, porting out internet is an easy decision. The trickier thing is TV - since my dad likes Asian Food Channel and it's only on Singtel TV. It may result in cross-operator solutions long term, but overall, we will have to see how things go. The bundling of Netflix is a bigger draw for the other family members, and the potential inclusion of Disney+ makes it an easier choice overall.

 

[xiaofan]

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

I guess this is due to the fact that Singtel has poorly trained their support staffs and often they will mess up with the bridging. There were reports of technicians bricked the ONR (Huawei or Nokia). There were also poor coordination between backend staff and the technicians. So in the end, Singtel probably figured out it is not worth keeping the minority power users who want bridging.

After all, there are many people who just stick to the free issued Singtel routers (like the lousy Singtel AC Plus) for many years. For these types of users, whether it is ONR or ONT it does not matter. And in fact, Singtel ONR is better for this types of users compared to Singtel ONT.

And this types of users are also easier for Singtel to convince to upgrade to 2Gbps plan becasuse of the free (yet lousy) mesh solution provided.

 

[xiaofan]

All in all, it is better to avoid Singtel as an ISP now that they stop to entertain Singtel ONR bridging.

For new users, there are basically no real good plan from Singtel -- the only plan which comes with the ONR bridged is the more expensive Singtel 1+1 Gamer Plan (whcih comes with free Asus RT-AX86U), but that is just for some niche use cases and for people who really want the free RT-AX86U. Even in that case, M1 offers better Asus ROG GT-AX6000 ( top up of S$13 per month for the normal M1 1Gbps plan).

And for existing users with bridged ONR, you may want to move on as well whenever your contract expires.

As for the Singtel ONT users, I will also suggest that you consider moving out of Singtel, this is especially true when you plan to move places (Singtel will force you to change to ONR in that case).

 

[xiaofan]

Recent discussions:
1) change to ONR when shifting places, no way to sort out Double NAT and DDNS issues
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/possible-to-get-old-singtel-ont-to-work.6774836/
2) Singtel ONR port forward issues
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/singtel-port-forwarding-issue.6755972/https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/how-to-port-forward-on-singtel-nokia-g240-onr.6769665/

 

[Whizdom]

Wifi (singtel) at living room and im living in 4rm hdb and im having a poor connection in my room. Using this round singtel mesh like no diff and whenever i play fifa ill get red bars. Any tips to improve?

Should i get a better mesh?

 

[xiaofan]

Wifi (singtel) at living room and im living in 4rm hdb and im having a poor connection in my room. Using this round singtel mesh like no diff and whenever i play fifa ill get red bars. Any tips to improve?
Should i get a better mesh?

Yes it is better to get a better mesh. But you need to post your floor plan and state the position of the ONT/ONR, LAN ports location, placement of the main wireless router and the SingTel Mesh Extender.

You may have to go with more expensive triband mesh solution if you do not have LAN port in the rooms.

 

[katata]

Wait a scond... so just to clarify.... this bundle is not worth it because of the ONR - "Singtel GPON Optical Network Router/Terminal and a Linksys E9450". Apparently the ONR does not support bridging? So that means the linksys is just acting as a AP? Also the ONR has issues with port forwarding. Did i sum it up right?

 

[letmeout]

We all know Singtel will change ONT to ONR when the user changes address.

Previously when replacing faulty ONT, usually you will get the ZTE ONT as the replacement. It is said that Singtel started to replace with ONR recently. Anyone can confirm that?

If that is confirmed, I will start to thinking about moving away from Singtel and change to Starhub.

I replaced faulty ONT on 28 Jul 2022, got the ZTE ONT as replacement.

 

[xiaofan]

I replaced faulty ONT on 28 Jul 2022, got the ZTE ONT as replacement.

Thanks for the info, that is in line with my past experiences.

 

[Dashie]

Anyone experiencing Singnet 1gbps been kinda disconnecting randomly for a few sec and will continue every few minute for hours? during evening time? restart router and everything can't seem to fix it

 

[xiaofan]

Anyone experiencing Singnet 1gbps been kinda disconnecting randomly for a few sec and will continue every few minute for hours? during evening time? restart router and everything can't seem to fix it

Using ONR or ONT? What is the wireless router you are using? It seems to be a router problem.

 

[getsourmuffins]

Can anyone advice if the plan a is better than plan b? not really sure what's the difference other than the freebies. But seems like router using is different?

a) https://www.singtel.com/personal/products-services/broadband/eform/newhomes
> 6 FREE months of 1Gbps Fibre Broadband (U.P. $49.90/mth) + FREE Google Nest Mini worth $79

b) https://www.singtel.com/personal/products-services/broadband/fibre-broadband-plans#plan2
>For Extended WiFi Coverage 1Gbps with WiFi Mesh

 

[jess_sy]

Singtel now give wifi 6 routers as default already

• Singtel AX5400 Wi-Fi 6 Device/
  AirTies 4960R

 

[firesong]

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.

An update.

I went last week to a Singtel shop to enquire and confirm if they would retain my bridged ONR configuration should I recontract for 2y. The staff was very candid and said that they were told no bridging requests will be entertained since early this year, so they could not promise that the bridged ONR would remain bridged. Since it was important to me to be able to use my own equipment, I was recommended instead to switch to another ISP if I did not want to pay double the cost for the gamer plan. (Can't name branch/staff as I promised not to, since he was being quite candid and factual.)

As such, I have signed with StarHub, pending activation next month. Bonus for us was, somehow that promo also meant no NLT charges for us according to the StarHub staff - I triple confirmed with her and her colleague next to her. It means there's no switching cost for us.

For those who wish to retain their home number to port, know that you would have to wait out the full 24 months, then specifically instruct them to retain the digital voice service and cancel the internet. They will do the necessary and prorate accordingly when the line is ported since according to them it takes 2 weeks to process the number porting, so it's about $5ish.

As the TV contract ends later, we will just see it through then terminate it on the last day.

 

[jess_sy]

An update.

I went last week to a Singtel shop to enquire and confirm if they would retain my bridged ONR configuration should I recontract for 2y. The staff was very candid and said that they were told no bridging requests will be entertained since early this year, so they could not promise that the bridged ONR would remain bridged. Since it was important to me to be able to use my own equipment, I was recommended instead to switch to another ISP if I did not want to pay double the cost for the gamer plan. (Can't name branch/staff as I promised not to, since he was being quite candid and factual.)

As such, I have signed with StarHub, pending activation next month. Bonus for us was, somehow that promo also meant no NLT charges for us according to the StarHub staff - I triple confirmed with her and her colleague next to her. It means there's no switching cost for us.

For those who wish to retain their home number to port, know that you would have to wait out the full 24 months, then specifically instruct them to retain the digital voice service and cancel the internet. They will do the necessary and prorate accordingly when the line is ported since according to them it takes 2 weeks to process the number porting, so it's about $5ish.

As the TV contract ends later, we will just see it through then terminate it on the last day.

That's sad. So Singtel no longer issue new ONT too? All ONR version?

 

[xiaofan]

That's sad. So Singtel no longer issue new ONT too? All ONR version?

They no longer offer ONT to new users for quite some time, probably since 2018. Only existing Singtel ONT users will get replacement ONT (ZTE ONT, labeled as ONR but configured as ONT).

Even for existing Singtel ONT users, you will be given the ONR once you move to a different place, or if you upgrade to 2Gbps plan (not possiible to bridge the ONR) or 1+1 Gamer plan (one ONR port bridged to use the RT-AX86U as main router, the other three ports not bridged for another AP or Singtel TV Box).

 

[xiaofan]

Can anyone advice if the plan a is better than plan b? not really sure what's the difference other than the freebies. But seems like router using is different?

a) https://www.singtel.com/personal/products-services/broadband/eform/newhomes
> 6 FREE months of 1Gbps Fibre Broadband (U.P. $49.90/mth) + FREE Google Nest Mini worth $79

b) https://www.singtel.com/personal/products-services/broadband/fibre-broadband-plans#plan2
>For Extended WiFi Coverage 1Gbps with WiFi Mesh

The two links should be the same in terms of services offered. The first link is kind of promotion link for the basic 1Gbps plan sothat you get 6 months free -- but the freebies may change from time to time. The other three plans are the same as the second link.

First link:
6 FREE months of 1Gbps Fibre Broadband (U.P. $49.90/mth) -- effectively S$37.425 per month
1Gbps Fibre Broadband at $37.90/mth (U.P. $49.90/mth)
<the above two most likely come with the older Singtel Mesh Router or Singtel Mesh Extender)
1Gbps Enhanced at $42.90/mth (U.P. $52.90/mth) -- with Airties 4960R (AX5400)
1Gbps Plus at $50.90/mth (U.P. $62.90/mth) -- with Linksys E9450 (AX5400)
1Gbps Pro Gamer at $56.90/mth (U.P $66.90/mth) -- with RT-AX86U (AX5700)

Second link (mentioned that addition rebate at checkout):
1Gbps Enhanced at $47.90/mth (U.P. $52.90/mth) -- new sign-up --> S$42.90/mth
1Gbps Plus at $50.90/mth (U.P. $62.90/mth)
1Gbps Pro Gamer at $56.90/mth (U.P $66.90/mth)

 

[xiaofan]

Singtel now give wifi 6 routers as default already

• Singtel AX5400 Wi-Fi 6 Device/
  AirTies 4960R

They call this 1Gbps Enhanced plan now. But apparently they still offer older 1Gbps plan which may come with Wifi 5 router (Singtel Mesh Router or Singtel Mesh Extender).

The catch is that new users will always get ONR and Singtel has stopped enteraining ONR bridge request. Therefore you need to understand the implication before signing up. You have to live with the basic features of the Singtel ONR as the main router. This might be fine for very basic internet usages but I would not recommend any users reading this forum to sign up Singtel 1Gbps plan (2Gbps plan is even worse).

Existing Singtel ONT users (not planning to move) may be okay to continue with Singtel -- but you can move to other ISPs as well if you are worried.

https://www.singtel.com/personal/products-services/broadband/eform/newhomes6 FREE months of 1Gbps Fibre Broadband (U.P. $49.90/mth)
1Gbps Fibre Broadband at $37.90/mth (U.P. $49.90/mth)
1Gbps Enhanced at $42.90/mth (U.P. $52.90/mth) -- with Airties 4960R (AX5400)
1Gbps Plus at $50.90/mth (U.P. $62.90/mth) -- with Linksys E9450 (AX5400)
1Gbps Pro Gamer at $56.90/mth (U.P $66.90/mth) -- with RT-AX86U (AX5700)

 

[crisisang]

Oh no, I just signup for a new 1gbps plan 5mins ago without knowing about them rejecting ONR bridging request which the sales told me to just call in & they will set it up.

Does this means that my RT-AX86U becomes redundant now? Btw the only feature I use is just setting custom DNS on my router.

Hope to hear some advice.

 

[xiaofan]

Oh no, I just signup for a new 1gbps plan 5mins ago without knowing about them rejecting ONR bridging request which the sales told me to just call in & they will set it up.

Does this means that my RT-AX86U becomes redundant now? Btw the only feature I use is just setting custom DNS on my router.

Hope to hear some advice.

Hopefully you record down the name of the salesperson and then you can try and ask the salespersone to write it black and white.

But if that fails, and if you just need the DNS feature, you can still set up your RT-AX86S in router mode (Double NAT).

More about Double NAT: it does not affect normal internet browsing and media streaming. So you may still be okay.
https://kb.netgear.com/30186/What-is-double-NAT-and-why-is-it-bad