Starhub 1Gbps Fibre Review

[loganrunning]

ST's DNS is quite fast, 1 of the fastest of all the ISPs in SG, but not up to date

don't they sync it? I remember my systems used to sync up 2x per day, by default.

 

[cyberet]

don't they sync it? I remember my systems used to sync up 2x per day, by default.

when i was still on ST many years back, i remember their dns takes quite awhile to update. I remember I was changing some domain stuffs and they took awhile to update.

 

[loganrunning]

when i was still on ST many years back, i remember their dns takes quite awhile to update. I remember I was changing some domain stuffs and they took awhile to update.

I'm not privy to ST servers, but i remember by default, my old hp-ux, solaris (fka sun OS) boxes had sync 2x a day, so changes locally took place within 24 hours, overseas took a bit longer for changes to propagate. Was this ST's lead time?

at later job, as customer, my isp also had the same update frequency. of course, we all want it quicker than that, like within 5min

 

[cyberet]

I'm not privy to ST servers, but i remember by default, my old hp-ux, solaris (fka sun OS) boxes had sync 2x a day, so changes locally took place within 24 hours, overseas took a bit longer for changes to propagate. Was this ST's lead time?

at later job, as customer, my isp also had the same update frequency. of course, we all want it quicker than that, like within 5min

ya, up to 48hrs was their lead time i think.

On another issue unrelated to the DNS server. many years back my email was hosted by ST bizmail. after i moved my emailhost to another provider, I had issues where clients whose email were hosted on ST bizmail kept trying to send to my company email on bizmail even though I have shifted away for a few months already.

has to ask my clients sent to a gmail and i set the gmail to auto forward to my bizmail as a work around for a year

ST wasn't much help since I wasn't their customer anymore

 

[coseas]

Have you tried to enable Dual WAN Load Balancing?



I think it is okay if you already bought Xiaomi BE5000. It is capable of Dual WAN Load balancing. WC users have tested it for the performance.
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/...band-provider.5494964/page-105#post-152698060

With the Xiaomi BE5000, can reach more than 1200Mbps with PC. So likely it is ZTE not handling Dual Wan Load Balancing well. Although I contact Starhub to reset the IP due to DHCP server cannot fetch the IP address.

 

[loganrunning]

On another issue unrelated to the DNS server. many years back my email was hosted by ST bizmail. after i moved my emailhost to another provider, I had issues where clients whose email were hosted on ST bizmail kept trying to send to my company email on bizmail even though I have shifted away for a few months already.

has to ask my clients sent to a gmail and i set the gmail to auto forward to my bizmail as a work around for a year

ST wasn't much help since I wasn't their customer anymore

i'm not familiar with st bizmail. did it mean hosting on their platform, under their domain? if so, i usually avoid these, for the reasons you state. best to own the domain and find providers where you can just point your dns/web/mail servers to. Easier to change providers, keeps them on their toes anyway, i'm out of that game for a long time, so have not kept up. Glad you managed to find a workaround singtel

 

[cyberet]

i'm not familiar with st bizmail. did it mean hosting on their platform, under their domain? if so, i usually avoid these, for the reasons you state. best to own the domain and find providers where you can just point your dns/web/mail servers to. Easier to change providers, keeps them on their toes anyway, i'm out of that game for a long time, so have not kept up. Glad you managed to find a workaround singtel

domain + email hosted on ST. this was in the beginning. Thankfully I owned the domain and moved both the DNS and email away from them

 

[iLuvDoggies]

For those who are using Starhub 1Gbps, have you experienced any slowness recently? My home wifi speed seem to slow down quite a bit for the past 2-3 weeks. I did a speed test to see the difference between wired and wifi connection, and the latter is so cui leh (less than 100Mbps). I don't know if this is normal. The router I'm using is Linksys EA8100.

Before I head to the long call waiting process with Starhub for help, is there anything I can troubleshoot or do to improve the speed? The only thing I did was follow Starhub' instruction via whatapp to restart router and ensure nothing is blocking the router.

 

[cstanhwz]

Might be the Linksys EA8100 issue too or your PC/laptop/client.

 

[froztheart]

For those who are using Starhub 1Gbps, have you experienced any slowness recently? My home wifi speed seem to slow down quite a bit for the past 2-3 weeks. I did a speed test to see the difference between wired and wifi connection, and the latter is so cui leh (less than 100Mbps). I don't know if this is normal. The router I'm using is Linksys EA8100.

Before I head to the long call waiting process with Starhub for help, is there anything I can troubleshoot or do to improve the speed? The only thing I did was follow Starhub' instruction via whatapp to restart router and ensure nothing is blocking the router.

Have you done basic troubleshooting etc. to possibly isolate the possible issue?

 

[iLuvDoggies]

Might be the Linksys EA8100 issue too or your PC/laptop/client.

Have you done basic troubleshooting etc. to possibly isolate the possible issue?

I tested on another laptop and on my phone. Used another cable connecting the router and the NucleusConnect device. Although the router has been in the current location for ages, I moved it to another location for testing. The results were similar. Unfortunately, I don't have another router to test. Can't think of anything else le.

 

[joeltng]

I tested on another laptop and on my phone. Used another cable connecting the router and the NucleusConnect device. Although the router has been in the current location for ages, I moved it to another location for testing. The results were similar. Unfortunately, I don't have another router to test. Can't think of anything else le.

Honestly if it doesn't affect your normal usage (watch video loads relatively okay at an acceptable qulity, no real dely when loding webpages. I would say save your sanity and live with it. Wifi is affected by Way too many factors, some of which are out of your control even.

 

[xiaofan]

I tested on another laptop and on my phone. Used another cable connecting the router and the NucleusConnect device. Although the router has been in the current location for ages, I moved it to another location for testing. The results were similar. Unfortunately, I don't have another router to test. Can't think of anything else le.

It is probably time to upgrade the Linksys EA8100 v1. I believe Linksys/Starhub no longer support it any more (no more security updates). I could be wrong though so you may want to confirm with Starhub.

Linksys has removed its Singapore website. It seems to me the support will get worse.

The good thing is that it is now supported by OpenWRT though. But that will not help you on the wireless side.

Your particular issue may be with the ONT though. You need to troubleshoot low wired connection speed first before troubleshooting wireless. You may want your computer directly to the ONT to see if you can get ≥900 Mbps. Please OOkla SpeedTest app and not browser for the test. Or you can use Starhub specific website and not OOkla website to test if you like to use browser.

 

[xiaofan]

Just wondering who are still using legacy Starhub plans based GPON technology -- 500Mbps, 1Gbps and 2Gbps.

I guess most of the users have migrated to XGS-PON based plans: 3Gbps/5Gbps and 10Gbps, discussed in the following thread (originally for Starhub 5Gbps plan, started on 29 April 2024).
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/starhub-ultraspeed-3gbps-5gbps-10gbps-plans.7024290/

There are still some Singtel 1Gbps/2Gbps plan users.
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/singtel-1-gbps-fibre.5930834/page-268

But many Singtel users also migrated to the new 3Gbps/5Gbps/10Gbps plan (initially for Singtel 5Gbps plan, started on 18 May 2024)
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/singtel-3gbps-5gbps-10-gbps-enhanced.7030365/

For M1, they just stopped offering 1Gbps plan recently. So there will be still quite some M1 users using GPON (500Mbps, 1Gbps and 2Gbps). Therefore they still use the same thread for the discussion.
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/m1-fibre-broadband-discussion-part-2.5658375/

The following combined XGS-PON based plans thread was created by me on 23 July 2023.
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/new-10gbps-5gbps-6gbps-3gbps-xgs-pon-based-plans.6930337/

Singtel launched XGS-PON based 10Gbps plan in Jan 2023 but very expensive at S$193.80 per month.
https://www.hardwarezone.com.sg/mob...test-10gbps-home-fibre-broadband-plan-updated

Starhub followed in Feb 2023 and the price was at S$119.90 per month. But Starhub was more aggressive to reduce the price faster than Singtel.
https://www.hardwarezone.com.sg/mob...d-subscription-starting-today?ref=exploremore

M1 was very late in the game.

 

[xiaofan]

Not so sure what the following Nokia article means though. I thought Stathub 10Gbps infrastrure were ready in 2024 when they fixed the issue of slower download during peak time. But I guess the work was only completed in Feb 2025.

And the article is also wrong, since Singtel was the first one to launch XGS-PON based Fibre Internet service in Jan 2023.

+++++++++++++++++++
StarHub and Nokia upgrade fiber broadband network to deliver nationwide 10 Gbps services
https://www.nokia.com/newsroom/star...twork-to-deliver-nationwide-10-gbps-services/

5 February 2025
Singapore – Nokia today announced that StarHub has successfully completed its nationwide rollout of its XGS-PON network, connecting hundreds of thousands of homes across Singapore to 10 Gbps internet speeds. For consumer enthusiasts, the upgraded broadband network provides immediate access to additional broadband capacity needed to support bandwidth-hungry applications such as AI, immersive gaming and advanced security. It will also enable StarHub to offer new premium services that unlock additional revenue streams.

StarHub will use Nokia’s Altiplano Access Controller to automate and improve network utilization. Leveraging AI-driven operations (AIOps) to drive better network decisions, Nokia’s Altiplano Access Controller enables StarHub to detect network anomalies faster, anticipate service-affecting issues before they occur, and improve network utilization. Advanced analytics and trained AI agents such as the ONT Health Monitor application can help increase efficiencies and drive higher levels of automation across network and service operations.

As the first operator to launch XGS-PON services in Singapore in February 2023, StarHub also becomes the first in the world to completely migrate to a nationwide software-defined access network using Nokia Altiplano solution, enhancing network utilization through AI and automation. The speedy rollout of the deployment and migration aligns with the vision of Singaporean Government to accelerate 10Gbps PON subscriptions in support of the Digital Connectivity Blueprint.

Lee Yeu Ching, VP of Fixed and Media Networks at StarHub, said: “We have set ambitious goals to advance our network, aiming to enhance user experience and operational efficiency. Nokia, our longstanding partner, has played a vital role in the successful completion of this crucial initiative. Nokia products and services have helped us seamlessly and rapidly transition to XGS-PON, enabling faster uptake of 10Gbps services to support Singapore’s national digital transformation plan. This milestone also signifies a meaningful achievement in StarHub’s Cloud Infinity Strategy. We are now looking forward to providing not only faster internet access, but also enhanced user experience for advance applications such as Augmented/Virtual Reality and Metaverse, among others.”

Ming Kin Ngiam, Head of SEA South for Network Infrastructure Sales at Nokia, said: “We are entering the Fiber for Everything era. Technological advancements such as next-gen PON and automation empower operators to maximize the potential of their fiber networks, introduce new services, and expedite monetization. StarHub is establishing a new standard in network modernization with their comprehensive XGS-PON and SDAN network solutions. We are looking forward to further strengthening our partnership with StarHub to drive AI/ML automation and service innovations.”

 

[froztheart]

Just wondering who are still using legacy Starhub plans based GPON technology -- 500Mbps, 1Gbps and 2Gbps.

I guess most of the users have migrated to XGS-PON based plans: 3Gbps/5Gbps and 10Gbps, discussed in the following thread (originally for Starhub 5Gbps plan, started on 29 April 2024).
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/starhub-ultraspeed-3gbps-5gbps-10gbps-plans.7024290/

There are still some Singtel 1Gbps/2Gbps plan users.
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/singtel-1-gbps-fibre.5930834/page-268

But many Singtel users also migrated to the new 3Gbps/5Gbps/10Gbps plan (initially for Singtel 5Gbps plan, started on 18 May 2024)
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/singtel-3gbps-5gbps-10-gbps-enhanced.7030365/

For M1, they just stopped offering 1Gbps plan recently. So there will be still quite some M1 users using GPON (500Mbps, 1Gbps and 2Gbps). Therefore they still use the same thread for the discussion.
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/m1-fibre-broadband-discussion-part-2.5658375/

The following combined XGS-PON based plans thread was created by me on 23 July 2023.
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/new-10gbps-5gbps-6gbps-3gbps-xgs-pon-based-plans.6930337/

Singtel launched XGS-PON based 10Gbps plan in Jan 2023 but very expensive at S$193.80 per month.
https://www.hardwarezone.com.sg/mob...test-10gbps-home-fibre-broadband-plan-updated

Starhub followed in Feb 2023 and the price was at S$119.90 per month. But Starhub was more aggressive to reduce the price faster than Singtel.
https://www.hardwarezone.com.sg/mob...d-subscription-starting-today?ref=exploremore

M1 was very late in the game.

I believe Starhub should be the most successful in moving their customers from legacy plans, followed by M1.
For ST with the rest that are still on likely are either old folks/those that are totally not tech savy at all and cannot be bothered. Since in my opinion, ST has the most reach compared to SH & M1. But even then, with the promotions and marketing, shouldn't have much left soon.