(Above)Optical Fibre Cable Termination Point
This week,we had the contractor from OpenNet Pte Ltd, the official provider of optical fibre(OF) cables for the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore(IDA)come to our place to install the OF cables.This installation was free of charge under the IDA initiativ to wire all homes and offices for the Next Generation Broadband network to allow for wireless access broadband speeds at 1 Gbps which is 100 times that of current speeds. Given that current cable broadband will go the way of the dial up internet systems we had many years many, we felt that it would be prudent to take up this free offer as normal installation charges would amount to $200 so that our home would be optical fibre ready. We know from the press that many households had rejected this offer due to the inconvenience and 'ugly' drilling and cabling but then we guess this is a small price to pay and eventually, homes would have to install this or be left behind in the stone age.
We received the letter of offer a month back from OpenNet and made an appointment. The process was fast and easy with confirmation of the appointment date within a day. For those keen to find out more about the appointments, you can call up 65634273 or access http://www.opennet.com.sg/
The process of installation started with drilling from the outside to connect cables into the house. This is probably the most ugly aspect of the installation with a rudimentary plaster patch to cover up the hole access for the cable (Below).
(Above)Entry of the OF cable into the house beside our main door.
While there is not much we could about the outside, we made sure that we were present for the installation to discuss with the contractors the best way to run the trunking of the cables which is from the outside access point to the nearest TV antenna cable box.
The contractors were quite nice and commented that since our home was so stylish, they would do their level best to try to make the trunking as inconspicuous as possible. Now that is customer service.
(Above) We discussed with the contractors and agreed that the trunking at the floor cornice would be the best option.
(Above)Trunking ending at the optical fibre termination point hidden beside the window pillar,out of sight.
The whole process took about an hour plus so be prepared to set aside adequate time.It will take about a month for downloading to the terminal access point to be operationally ready if you plan to sign up for a current optical fibre cable plan with any of the three main telcos.
It was a dusty affair with drilling and trunking so a major clean up of the house area is necessary.After the job was done, we spent a few hours cleaning up the hall area that was filled with debris and dust from all the drilling, cutting of wiring, trunking. Then Eugin painted the trunking so that they would blend with the walls.
(Above)The floor cornice trunking painted in the same reddish shade as the wall
(Above) The finished cable trunking painted grey as with the walls.
For us, if we were to subscribe to current plans, we would most probably choose Singtel since their middle of the range plan of $79.90 a month which is ten dollars more than our current plan allows for download speeds of 100Mbps ( For the current plan we have now, we are at 3 to 5Mbps), upload speeds of 50 Mbps, limit of 15Mbps for overseas sites (M1 has no overseas speed cap though) and the package includes a free integrated wireless modem for the OF cable network ( usually you have to buy it at $200 plus with a cheaper plan), free 1 month subscription, a homeline with unlimited digital local calls and free Mio TV package of 20 channels. Plus since both of us are Singtel mobile customers, we get additional 20% discount with annual handset upgrade and free caller ID for our mobiles.
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