Event Coverage

IT Show 2013 - Telco, Tablets, GPS & Mobile Accessories Buying Guide

By Team HardwareZone - 7 Mar 2013

Broadband Plans

IT Show 2013 Buying Guide

IT Show 2013 is currently taking place at Marina Bay Sands for the very first time, at level 1 and basement 2. The show is on from the 7th to the 10th of March, and is open from 12 noon to 9pm. One of Singapore's longest running tech shows, IT Show 2013 will feature more than 800 exhibitors and cover over 350,000 square-feet of exhibitions space with products ranging from notebooks and tablets to televisions, automotive accessories and more. As usual, admission will be free!

There will be a ton of products at the show, so in this handy buying guide we'll be giving you tips and tricks on what to look for in a great product. Whether you're buying a new broadband plan or a new GPS device, here's what you need to know before you buy your next gadget.

Buying Guide Index

 

 

HardwareZone IT Show 2013 Portal

For more on the IT Show, including maps, brochures and Twitter updates, click on through to our IT Show portal.

 

Broadband Plan Buying Guide

Consumers now have more choice than ever for their internet needs, with a host of new companies like MyRepublic joining the big three Telcos. If you're thinking about signing up for a new plan, tech shows are often the best place to do it as the freebies and extras tend to be better than at other times of the year.

 

BROADBAND TODAY

Broadband plans in Singapore fall into three categories: Cable broadband, ADSL broadband, and Fiber broadband.

Cable broadband delivers high-speed Internet access via coaxial cables and a cable termination point. Plans are available from StarHub, M1, Pacnet, and NTT Communications offering speeds of between 3Mbps to 15Mbps. An advantage of cable broadband is that the quality of your connection is not dependent on your proximity to your ISP (whereas ADSL is). However, unlike ADSL, which runs on a dedicated line, cable connections are shared with others in your HDB or condo block, which can affect your download speeds.

ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) broadband delivers high-speed Internet access via your existing telephone line. Plans are available from SingTel, M1, and Pacnet offering speeds of between 1.5Mbps to 15Mbps. One disadvantage of ADSL broadband is that your connection is linked to a fixed telephone line, so switching residence can be troublesome and will result in loss of service for a few days. On the other hand, unlike cable broadband, your ADSL connection is not affected by other users in your area.

 

Fiber broadband uses fiber optic cables to deliver Internet speeds far higher than both Cable and ADSL broadband. Plans are available from SingTel, StarHub, M1, MyRepublic, and ViewQwest ranging from 50mbps up to a mind-boggling 1Gbps. Fiber optic broadband requires a fiber optic termination point to be installed by network infrastructure provider, OpenNet.

 

 

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR

Can I get Fiber broadband? Starting in 2010, network infrastructure providers OpenNet offered a one-time free installation of the fibre network termination point to all residences in Singapore. If you missed this offer, you'll need to book an appointment to have the TP installed, which will cost between $220-$450, although some ISPs offer to pay the installation charge for you if you sign up with them. As of 2013, over 95% of Singapore is fiber-ready. To check if your area is eligible for installation click here

What router do I need for ADSL/Cable/Fiber? Any network router (wired or wireless) should be compatible with the modem your service provider gives you. However, it's a lot more tricky if you want to replace the modem that your service provider gives you. Not sure how to choose a router? Check out our networking buying guide.

What is International bandwidth/download speed? Some plans advertise different speeds for local and international downloads. Your local download speed will be applicable for sites hosted in Singapore (e.g. SingTel, locally hosted gaming servers), whereas international sites such a server in the US will subject to the international download speeds.

 

Broadband Plan Deals at the Show

Here are some highlighted broadband plan deals at the IT Show this year.

M1 150Mbps Fibre Broadband 

150Mbps fibre broadband home connection for just $41/month.

IT Show 2013 Offer

  • IT Show Price: $41/month
  • IT Show Promotion: Free mobile broadband 1GB (7.2Mbps), free home fixed voice service, free wireless router, up to 25% off mobile subscriptions and $250 waiver on early handset re-contract.
  • Brochure

Location

Basement 2, Hall D, Booth B828

MyRepublic PURE HD 150Mbps Fibre Broadband

Up to 150Mbps download and 75Mbps upload speeds with more bandwidth for more users streaming HD video.

IT Show 2013 Offer

  • IT Show Price: $48.88/month (Usual Price: $65/month)
  • IT Show Promotion: Free ASUS N56U router, Free Norton Security Pack worth $89/year
  • Brochure

Location

Basement 2, Hall D, Booth B351

StarHub 300Mbps Fibre Home Broadband 

Sign up for StarHub 300Mbps Fibre Home Broadband with a two-year contract and get a free ASUS X402CA notebook.

IT Show 2013 Offer

  • IT Show Price: $96.60/month
  • IT Show Promotion: Free ASUS X402CA Notebook, Free 7.2Mbps Mobile Broadband 1GB, Wireless Home Gateway (worth $199.02), Optical fibre Termination Point installation, SafeSurf Online. Roadshow exclusives include free $30 Robinsons vouchers, waiver of service activation ($32.10) and waiver of installation fee ($53.50)
  • Brochure

Location

Basement 2, Hall E, Booth B818

ViewQwest Fibernet 150 Bundle

Sign up for ViewQwest Fibernet 150 Bundle with a two-year contract and get a free Apple TV, and 3-month Freedom VPN.

IT Show 2013 Offer

  • IT Show Price: $65/month
  • IT Show Promotion: Free Apple TV and modem rental. Free 3 month Freedom VPN.
  • Brochure

Location

Basement 2, Hall D, Booth B361

SingTel 150Mbps Fibre Broadband

An affordable 24-month contract of SingTel 150Mbps Fibre Broadband at $49.90/month.

IT Show 2013 Offer

  • IT Show Price: $49.90/month 
  • IT Show Promotion: Free 21Mbps Mobile Broadband, wireless modem, home line and 10% discount on mobile subscription. Upgrade to 300Mbps at $79.90/month and enjoy free installtion (worth up to $481.50)
  • Brochure

Location

Level 1, Hall A, Booth 1338

 

IT Show 2013 Broadband Plans Portal

Join HWZ's Telegram channel here and catch all the latest tech news!
Our articles may contain affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission.