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 Post subject: Re: Broadband Internet
PostPosted: Mon Dec 21, 2015 11:40 pm 
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Best status update on broadband on the Outlying Islands:

I've spotted Top Express staff last Sat on YSW Main Street, preparing the tests for a future additional broadband connection to HK Island, for HGC fiber already laid a few years ago, but inactive so far.

Quoting from Robert Clarke's update above, the parts relevant for Lamma:

"Top Express has been given the go-ahead to conduct it trial in East Lamma Channel. That's using a laser radio technology that can deliver up to 2Gbps. The trial will be at either 800Mbps or 500Mbps. It's a big deal because that link is the biggest bottleneck anywhere in Hong Kong. If we can get a cost-effective connection in place that can pave the way for future upgrades on Lamma.

HGC has fibre to the home in place in Lamma and according to Top Express will be its partner should its radio backhaul link get up and running.
To explain Top Express: It's not a telco, but specialises in building out facilities for utilities like telcos and power companies all over HK. Its plan is to build a rural network and then lease it out on revenue share basis to HGC or HKBN. It is planning to build via fibre and/or wireless to 600 rural villages (altogether HK has 774). In phase 1 it's doing 200 New Territories villages; that completes next year. In the following phases it may do the Islands, which is the idea of the Lamma trial, though it's not a priority."

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 Post subject: Re: Broadband Internet
PostPosted: Mon Dec 21, 2015 11:54 pm 
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 Post subject: Re: Broadband Internet
PostPosted: Tue Dec 22, 2015 7:09 pm 
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 Post subject: Re: Broadband Internet
PostPosted: Thu Dec 31, 2015 5:47 am 
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Any news from anybody on the broadband situation on Lamma?

I saw some uniformed Top Express staff in Main St the other day, running a test for a new link to HK Island, probably to connect Hutchison Global Communications's existing fiber to the Internet, the same co. that installed the fiber several years ago, all the way to Sok Kwu Wan. But this is testing only, consumer connections might be years away.

In the meantime, quite happy with my 4G Wifi hotspot from my mobile this morning, 5:30am, surfing in my home office/desktop PC is bearable now, see below. Data cap of 5/6GB has been sufficient these last few months, never exceeded, and no extra cost in HW/SW/setup as long as I don't up/download any huge files files (video), everything else is working fine, even streaming RTHK radio all day.

Huge up/downloads still only over data-unlimited, but 3Mbps broadband over night.

Staying in this place for at least another 2 years, great 4G a major reason, which isn't common on Lamma yet. Down the road no connection at all, Emergency Calls only. Waiting patiently for better/faster days...

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 Post subject: Re: Broadband Internet
PostPosted: Thu Dec 31, 2015 6:06 am 
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 Post subject: Re: Broadband Internet
PostPosted: Thu Dec 31, 2015 7:48 pm 
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"Unlimited" plans by some companies are said to currently maintain reasonable speeds even under "FUP", esp. in areas without congestion. Anything less should be unacceptable in this age, but with 2-year commitment you'll never know what tomorrow brings.

Vave.com.hk do seem like niche bandwidth resellers, but with the initial 30-day unlimited data-only SIM being $238 and subsequent 30-day recharges $200 (validity of those coupons being 2 years and YSW's Main Street supermarket listed as one of the voucher outlets by their epayment system) I can easily think of worse deals for broadband on Lamma.

Besides the mobile data SIM one only needs a 3G or LTE modem, compatible with the network (piggybacked PCCW?) and preferably unlocked just in case another network comes up with a better deal.

LTE USB dongles start from few hundred dollars up and in the $500-$1000 range they come with built-in router + WIFI for sharing the connection. Some proper standalone routers with USB ports can also be used with 3G/LTE modem dongles, but it's better to check compatibility first as the router's firmware needs to be able to identify and configure the modem for the magic to happen. The dongle on PC/Mac or laptop method tends to be more straight forward.

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 Post subject: Re: Broadband Internet
PostPosted: Fri Feb 19, 2016 6:38 pm 
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Bad news about the Top Express trial, by Robert Clark:

"Not terribly good news for Lamma people. AO Optix, the company supposed to supply the gear for the laser radio trial, has filed for bankruptcy. Unless someone comes along and buys the assets, the trial is now in serious doubt.

That gap across the East Lamma Channel is probably the biggest telecom bottleneck in all Hong Kong. The laser radio solution seemed promising because it is high capacity and performance and offered a viable path to high-speed broadband on the island.
Top Express, who were planning the trial, haven't fully ruled out the trial but in reality it's impossible to see it going ahead without a supplier.

I will keep you posted but this really does seem like bad news for Lamma."

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 Post subject: Re: Broadband Internet
PostPosted: Fri Feb 19, 2016 7:05 pm 
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 Post subject: Re: Broadband Internet
PostPosted: Fri Mar 11, 2016 2:55 pm 
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Update from Robert Clarke of Islands Broadband Concern Group, discussing broadband issues with a senior PCCW executive:

* Yes, PCCW is planning on upgrading its link across the East Lamma Channel, using wireless, not fibre.

* For those who've been asking about the Hutchison fibre link under the channel:
It's been wholly leased out to HK Electric (a part of the Hutch/Cheung Kong group). They may not be using all of it, but because they are under Scheme of Control it's problematic for them to lease it out, ie, once again local bureaucracy not being very helpful.

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 Post subject: Re: Broadband Internet
PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2016 3:48 pm 
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Another update from Robert Clarke of the Islands Broadband Concern Group (Closed group. Join them and wait for approval):

"The wheels are turning very slowly, but they do seem to be turning.

* Lamma: PCCW is negotiating with the OFCA over upgrading the East Lamma Channel link.
That's good news and you'd like to think that they would treat it as urgent, though that is being perhaps too optimistic.
The big question is just what kind of upgrade is being planned. PCCW told us last October that they have "several" 100Mbps microwave links. That's grossly inadequate for several thousand people and they really need to deploy a 5x or so upgrade.

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 Post subject: Re: Broadband Internet
PostPosted: Wed Apr 20, 2016 1:37 pm 
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Somebody just alerted me to the new HK Expat tv.
There are so many options now, so many set top boxes, usually using your broadband line, meaning no HD TV from any Internet TV provider on Lamma.

http://www.hkexpat.tv: Mainly UK TV, quite a few English channels, but really expensive. Anybody using this on Lamma and share their experiences?

NOW TV: A few Lamma-specific channel bundles at $68/bundle/month (2 bundles minimum). Dedicated NOW broadband lines, good support (house calls) and working pretty flawlessly in most locations? Using it for a few months now, liking it.

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 Post subject: Re: Broadband Internet
PostPosted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 5:11 pm 
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Any idea what the Islands Broadband Concern Group in Zuckerberg's garden are plotting these days?

In Lantau Top Express (HGC/Hutch) are lighting up gigabit fibre while PCCW-gator is offering 30Mbps copper upgrades for additional HK$38 / 2 years min for their DSL captives.

Here we have an unconfirmed suggested YLF-band pricing for PCCW's upgraded VDSL service, but with suggested data speeds far beyond what even the latest revisions of VSDL2 achieve. 300M and 1000M? [NB: turns out this floated proposal doesn't actually exist; it was a good joke by some anonymous local guys with a sense of humour!]

Not to mention that any microwave backbone links across the channel would be totally inadequate to deal with serious "last-mile" bandwidth upgrades.

Several years ago Top Express (HGC/Hutch) were given permission to dig up our precious streets to lay their fibre cables around the villages. Under what provisions were they given the permission to do it, if it wasn't to provide improved broadband service on Lamma?

Then there's the interconnecting fibre across the channel issue, which still seems totally impossible to solve. Why? The existing "private" cable is being operated by Hutchison (our friendly HK Electric plant) and should already have more than enough capacity to spare for residential use. However if another additional cable is considered necessary, what or who prevents it being laid alongside the existing one so that the other branch of Hutchison (HGC / Top Express) can light up their last mile fibre here too, like on Lantau?

It would be nice to learn what exactly is stopping alternatives from being rolled out before some feel they have no choice but to sign up for the higher-priced but still microwave-bottlenecked PCCW proposal with minimum 4-year commitment.

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Last edited by pit on Fri Jun 17, 2016 6:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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 Post subject: Re: Broadband Internet
PostPosted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 6:12 pm 
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Ask the head honchos of the Islands Broadband group, specifically Robert Clark, a professional and tech writer.

I agree with most you said about Lamma, except that the letter (not from YLF or any offial sources) was getting many people, incl. myself, but it's all complete, made-up BS from some local guys trying to push PCCW to do something for Lamma (which they have no plans for at the moment).
The letter was based on Mui Wo's HGC fiber offering, fantasizing that PCCW would offer something like that on Lamma. Not a chance!!

The 30Mbps PCCW offer in Mui Wo would be the absolutely best we could ever hope for or dream of. I'd be one of the first to sign up if they'd ever offer VDSL 2 on Lamma. Actually, I signed up for some kind of internal, but top-secret waiting list inside PCW that even their senior tech guys don't seem to know about (asking them in person). I don't expect anything to happen at all for years.

In the meantime, watch out for Top Express who might be the ONLY ones eager to offer fiber on Lamma, maybe they can convince their big customer, HGC, to actually do it and pay for it, as only HGC has a license to offer Internet access to end-users.

Forget about the existing HGC fiber under Main Street and along the HKElectric cable tunnels to HK. A coomercial and regulatory minefield, no will and drive from anybody official to untangle it all.

Expect some more news to trickle through the grapevine, but no faster Internet for the majority for years to come. Maybe some prime-cost solutions, thousands of $s/ month might become available and more widely used in the next few years.

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 Post subject: Re: Broadband Internet
PostPosted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 6:50 pm 
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Uh, OK. Good info on lack of any progress. :wink:

"Forget about the existing HGC fiber under Main Street and along the HKElectric cable tunnels to HK. A coomercial and regulatory minefield, no will and drive from anybody official to untangle it all."

Hadn't actually LOL'ed —in writing or in the flesh — for a while until reading the above.

Here we have a self-appointed government capable and willing to do whatever it wants regardless of the populace and somehow they're blocking for-profit efforts that would also address the needs of whole underprovided communities.


So I take it that YLF can't explain what possessed her to permit the fibre-laying under our streets in the first place? :mrgreen:

WTF was in that agreement for us, the actual residents? I can only imagine an exchange going along the lines "It involves digging up and pouring concerete all over the streets? WE'RE IN!"

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 Post subject: Re: Broadband Internet
PostPosted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 11:59 pm 
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 Post subject: Re: Broadband Internet
PostPosted: Sat Jun 18, 2016 12:09 am 
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 Post subject: Re: Broadband Internet
PostPosted: Sat Jun 18, 2016 1:16 pm 
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I don't rely on all the rumours and the grapevine speculations in online groups, but go as close to the source as I can, in this matter directly to PCCW and Top Express senior management, or one step away from it, ideally in person and not online.
But some sources request anonymity and I'll always try to honour that if requested. Hours of verbal discussions in person and on the phone.

I'm awaiting the official confirmation from PCCW (senior people I've met in person) that this letter - obviously not written by PCCW, Yu Lai Fan or any official source - is not a "fake", but more of a wishful thinking/hoping of the "local people" who wrote it and gave it to property agents like Stephen, to disseminate it to their current and prospective clients who are all complaining about Internet access and speeds.

My sources and I agree that pushing up house prices might have been one of the major motivations by these confirmed, but unidentified "local people" who wrote the mysterious letter, some of whom might also be property owners.

The letter is inspired by the actual Mui Wo fiber offerings of HGC (not PCCW), see construction picture below, installed by Top Express (who installed the existing HGC fiber along YSW Main Street. Still a complete mystery who uses it (Anybody? I found nobody so far!) and no hope of making it accessible to customers so far. Maybe a Library-network-only Govt. project years ago, but this is unconfirmed so far.) The HK Electric fiber(s) to HK Island are strictly internal use only and they have no license or will to become a public Internet Service Provider.

As I said, don't expect any action from PCCW in the near future, maybe not for years. If action happens, it would be similar to PCCW's 30Mbps offerings in Mui Wo, using VDSL2 on the existing landline phone network and MAYBE minor upgrades to the microwave link to HK Island. See Mui Wo letter below (from Merrin Pearse). Receiving one of these someday is the very best I can realistically hope for, living on Lamma.

For anything faster, Top Express and HGC might be the only potential hope at the moment, but probably years away and only available to houses willing for the very expensive fiber installations to their homes, like in several New Territories villages.


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 Post subject: Re: Broadband Internet
PostPosted: Sat Jun 18, 2016 9:00 pm 
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Yeah, there would be no point, and there is no hope, of the dark fibre being lit up until there is massive upgrade to the upstream HK link.
It would be like connecting a firehose to a drinking fountain. Since they were depending on using HKE's connection and for whatever reason we can only speculate on, that was not forthcoming, we're left to PCCW's increasingly antique microwave and pathetic DSL network, which they have no need to upgrade since they have no competition.

On Lantau of course they do have fat pipes to the backbone. There is is a major undersea network connection, I think near Cheung Sha, though it may not have any local connections. They have a bridge and there must be cable along the north coast to Tung Chung and the airport. And I can't imagine Disco Bay putting up with our speed.

The letter is pretty obviously a fraudulent attempt by real estate dealers to talk up the market. It doesn't matter which scumbag wrote it. The point is that it was unsigned exactly because it's complete bullshit without any basis in reality.


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 Post subject: Re: Broadband Internet
PostPosted: Sat Jan 20, 2018 5:42 pm 
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:cool-blue:

City-owned Internet services offer cheaper and more transparent pricing

Municipal broadband networks generally offer cheaper entry-level prices than private Internet providers, and the city-run networks also make it easier for customers to find out the real price of service, a new study from Harvard University researchers found.

Researchers collected advertised prices for entry-level broadband plans—those meeting the federal standard of at least 25Mbps download and 3Mbps upload speeds—offered by 40 community-owned ISPs and compared them to advertised prices from private competitors.

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 Post subject: Re: Broadband Internet
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