StarHub launches world's first 3G femtocell service

Damian Koh | Nov 27, 2008

(Credit: StarHub)

Feeling the recent credit crunch? StarHub's new "Home Zone" value-added service (VAS) could help save a few pennies if your hefty monthly mobile phone bill is the result of using your cellular handset instead of the fixed line at home.

StarHub has today announced what it claims to be the world's first commercial 3G femtocell service in Singapore.

For noobs, a femtocell is a portable access point used primarily in residential areas or small offices that connects to a service provider's cell phone network via broadband. This is different from Wi-Fi access points as a femtocell acts more like a signal repeater. Users will be prompted with an audio message when they are making calls in the Home Zone area which has an operating area of approximately 120sqm.

Outgoing and incoming local voice/video calls and SMSes are free for Home Zone subscribers, though other GPRS-related functions such as MMS, Internet surfing and downloading of content via the Web are still chargeable at published rates based on the user's mobile plans. To sweeten the deal, the subscriber can nominate up to three other StarHub mobile users who can enjoy the service at no additional cost. For those on eligible mobile plans, they can also make free IDD 018 calls to 18 destinations, though local airtime charges will apply.

Of course, you'll need to be both a MaxOnline (except MaxOnline FlexiSurf) and StarHub mobile user with a 3G handset in order to subscribe to the service. There's a monthly fee of S$30 (US$21.31), but you get a 50 percent discount for 12 months if you sign up before December 31. The catch is this is currently limited to only 200 customers, though the company did say the service will be extended to more customers as demand increases.

You can either sign up at StarHub's booth over at the ongoing SITEX show at the Singapore Expo, or visit its outlet at VivoCity from November 29.

Filed under: Mobile Phones
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mook73

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mook73 says...
lesson learnt: never get yourself tied down by long contracts. i am bonded to singtel mobile and singnet for 1 and 1 year respectively. and yes, i would take this service if i am still with starhub cable and em, and if i port my current mobile to starhub. but that got to wait for at least 2 years by then God knows when be next interesting technology. but for now, i can only read and envy those who has signed up this wonderful technology ;)

Dec 02, 2008 10:31