I refer to the article “Singapore now provides one of the world’s cheapest home broadband connections” (Straits Times, Jan 15).
Cheapest broadband?
It states that “With a monthly fee of $49.99, the cost of each Mbps in MyRepublic’s plan is now down to five cents, compared with the previous low of 13.9 cents for each Mbps with SingTel’s 500Mbps plan, which costs $69.95 a month.”
Or one of the most expensive?
- Arguably, there may be something that is wrong with the headline, because as I understand it – if you compare the cheapest broadband plan cost on a monthly basis – Singapore may be one of the most expensive.
In other words, we should be comparing what is the cheapest that one can pay for broadband, instead of just comparing the cost per Mbs.
Comparison speaks for itself?
As to “The cost for each Mbps is 2.5 cents in South Korea, three cents in Japan and and 3.5 cents in Hong Kong” – how can we give the impression in the article that “Singapore now provides one of the world’s cheapest home broadband connections alongside other Asian technohubs with today’s launch of MyRepublic’s 1Gbps plan” – when Singapore’s at 5 cents is 50 to 43 per cent higher than the Asian countries – South Korea, Japan and Hong Kong?
Only compare the highest speed plan?
With regard to “That makes MyRepublic’s plan currently the cheapest 1Gbps connection available in Singapore” – how can we use the highest speed plan to come to the conclusion that Singapore’s broadband is “one of the world’s cheapest”?
Shouldn’t we be comparing lower speed plans as well?
In this regard, how many in Singapore subscribe to the highest speed plan?
Uniquely Singapore!
Leong Sze Hian
*Leong is the Past President of the Society of Financial Service Professionals, an alumnus of Harvard University, has authored 4 books, quoted over 1500 times in the media , has been host of a money radio show, a daily newspaper column, Wharton Fellow, SEACeM Fellow, columnist for Malaysiakini, executive producer of the movie Ilo Ilo (24 international awards). He has served as Honorary Consul of Jamaica and founding advisor to the Financial Planning Associations of Brunei and Indonesia. He has 3 Masters, 2 Bachelors and 13 professional qualifications.