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For 4 years, I enjoyed unlimited mobile broadband access at only $19.37 a month. Then, my most recent invoice from Starhub shows that I must pay $38.72 a month from now on. That stunned me. I looked at the invoice for a minute or, maybe, two before the fact sank in.
Oh, no. Doubled.
Although an extra $19.35 a month might not seem like a lot (well, that was what my mom said when I lamented about this to her), it is an extra $232.20 a year! That is more than what I give myself in pocket money a month!
I decided to take action and not being very savvy when it comes to IT stuff, I sought the opinions of my FB readers'. After many comments, Wilson (pero) told me "If 3g is enough for you, 7.2 mbps, it's 19 bucks." Yes! Under $20 a month!
So, I made a trip to a Starhub service centre and re-contracted.
Apparently, my old mobile broadband had a speed of only 2 mbps although the dataplan provided for unlimited usage. The service staff told me that under the new contract, the speed will be faster at 7.2 mbps but the dataplan is restricted to 6gb of usage per month.
Faster speed but restricted data usage. Sounds acceptable although I didn't have any problem with a speed of 2 mbps before. I guess being upgraded to a speed of 7.2 mbps is like upgrading from my Mazda 2 to a BMW Z4. Wah! Nice!
At a price of $19.90 a month, it is just 2.85% higher than what I have been paying in the last 4 years. Wah! This is also nice!
I just denied Starhub an extra income of $18.82 a month or $225.84 a year. Wah! This is very nice!
Makes me happy.
Related post:
How I earned $9,216 with a mug?
(Could be "How I denied coffee shops extra income?")
Bloggy Award
30 comments:
Hi AK, be careful "6gb per month", notebook consumes more data.
Hi AK,
The 7.2mbps is just a theoretical speed. Mobile broadband on 3g is a shared bandwidth. It depends on where you're using it. If your area has lots of people using mobile data (including smart phone users), the speed will still be slow.
But since you didn't ahve any issues when you were using 2mbps then i guess 7.2mbps will not be an issue either.
I have an older singtel bb plan at $18 for 7.2 capped at 30gb. The singtel cs advised me not to upgrade my speed as it would means my cap is lowered to a few gb. And at higher cost.
Hi AhJohn,
Why does a notebook consume more data? Now, you got me worried. -.-"
Hi SGYI,
Really? I didn't know this.
I didn't have any trouble in the last 4 years. I guess where I use the service, there aren't many people sharing the bandwidth. Lucky! :D
Hi E H,
You have a great deal! :D
At under $20 a month, I think the new contract with Starhub is pretty decent. I just can't bring myself to pay almost $40 a month for mobile broadband. -.-"
Most of time, contents will be optimized for smartphone (reduce size), but not for notebook.
Another news that free wireless@SG will be improved:
http://www.techgoondu.com/2014/03/28/easier-wirelesssg-login-now-for-phone-and-tablet-users/#.Uzf0eaiSySo
Hi Ah John,
Ah, I see. Thanks for explaining. Actually, I checked and saw that I did not even consume 3gb of data a month on my mobile broadband. So, I should be safe. :D
I believe you just signed up for Starhub's Maxmobile lite plan. Well, the theoretical download speed you referred to in your posting is not 7.2mbps but 21mbps, which is 10x faster than your previous plan!! You can check out Starhub's website to verify this. Enjoy the faster connection but remember to limit your surfing given the 6gb limitation.
Hi Sun,
Oh, why did the service staff tell me 7.2? 21 mbps? Wah!
while you had "denied" them the extra income, which is just an industry practice to frighten you into signing a contract. you had just locked yourself in as their passive (?) income stream for the next 24 months. they are banking in that you don't reach or breach that 6Gb limit.
72Mbps, is theoretical. Much like your car specs say it is able to reach top speed of 160kmh. Seriously, do you have to roads, road condition and even the dare to hit that ? heheheehe. Typically, it is upto 9Mbps and if that area has coverage. I dun see much of "4G" logo appearing on my S4 most of the time. Or was "H+" referring to the same 4G.
Hi SnOOpy168,
I will still need my mobile broadband for the foreseeable future. So, to me, it makes good sense to re-contract and pay less and much less too. It is almost 50% less than what I would have to pay otherwise.
You are right about the connection speed. Frankly, I don't really feel a difference. -.-"
Your phone plays a part too.
Hi E H,
I don't know about SnOOpy168 but I am using something that sticks into the USB port of my notebook. Same arrangement for 4 years already. Nothing has changed except that now, the connection speed is supposed to be fast.
Still feels the same as before when it was supposedly 2mbps. Hmmm...
AK. Suggest you call 1633 to ask them if the service re contracted and the dongle (you got a new one right?) is 4G LTE enabled. Otherwise demand to change it.
Hi SnOOpy168,
Er... No point lah. My plan is a 3G plan. Get a dongle that is 4G enabled also no use de. I am not very IT savvy and I am happy if this still works. Happier still that I now only pay half of what I would otherwise have to pay. :)
I assume your laptop is as old as your dongle?
Hi E H,
Wow! You know me so well!
Yes, my laptop has an Intel Centrino processor. -.-"
AK
I think you are short changed. Your plan should give you the faster 4G LTE data access, no extra charge and at many times faster access (i.e. less waiting time for your web pages to load).
YET, they shortchange you by giving you an ancient 3G dongle.
Should you still be celebrating your "savings" or foolishness here ?
Up to you lah.
Maybe it is time for an upgrade? Ram upgrades usually quite bang for the buck. But as webpages get more content intensive, your machine's performance will get bogged down. Parts will also fail over time.
Hi SnOOpy168,
I called up Starhub. They told me what I re-contracted for is a 3G mobile broadband plan. It is more to satisfy my curiosity since 3G works fine for me. :)
Hi E H,
I am crossing fingers here because my longest lasting laptop was an ACER and that worked for almost 8 years or was it 9. The laptop with the shortest life for me was a HP. 1.5 years. -.-"
I don't visit very hardware demanding websites. I could watch clips on YouTube with no trouble too. So, I guess the current set is still good for another couple of years (I hope). :)
wow, i wonder if i read this right.. they increase ur speed, but restrict the data cap.
-_-" then when u exceed this cap limit, you got to pay much more!
Hi FoodieFC,
Yup, if I should exceed 6gb of data a month, I must pay $8.56 per extra gb.
I consume less than 3gb of data a month on my mobile broadband in the last 4 years. So, it is pretty safe to assume that this pattern will continue.
If, by chance, I should exceed by 1 gb in a month, it is still cheaper than paying almost $38.72 a month if I didn't re-contract. :)
I am still using my singtel 50gb plan at 18.5. Die die not going to change!
Hi Howard,
If my Starhub unlimited plan had stayed at under $20 a month, I also die die won't change! 2 mbps? No problem. ;p
Sigh...
Still stretching my head. 3G mobile data plan, still have meh ?
Telcos made the big mistake of giving too much away too soon. Remember the 12Gb & unlimited plans in earlier days. Then shortly the explosion of smartphones, where everyone is rubbing them everywhere. How to squeeze more $ from the customer ?
Give you an "upgrade" and tell you, new plans new terms. Perhaps this is why Starhub's share prices shot up & up.
Hi SnOOpy168,
Well, according to Starhub, the $19.90 a month plan is for 3G.
Anyway, I am one of those clueless people when it comes to internet connection stuff. I know the difference between dial up and broadband. I know the difference between unlimited and limited. I know the price difference and that is about all I know.
If it allows me to go online with a reliable and fast enough connection and doesn't hurt my pocket, I will take it. $19.90 a month is good enough for me. :)
Hi, AK71
Am also thinking of terminating my current 3G4GBplan for Maxmobile Elite (6GB) plan. Starhub increased my monthly bill from $43 to $61 when previous contract under CIS ended. It's chopping my head off! And now their new plan 4G4 is $62.90!!
Hv u any new grievance or frustration to share after using Maxmobile Lite for a year?
Hi Who,
Hmmm... I am still paying $19.90 a month and it has been pretty good to me. I get 6GB a month I never use more than 3GB or 4GB. I think it is pretty good value for money. :)
$62.90? Nah. Not something I would consider.
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