Internet ain’t that covered nor cheap in Europe, I guess originating from one of the most connected nations in the world (currently 99.9% penetration in Singapore right?) I am quite spoilt for free campus internet, let be even free wi-fi on the Singapore streets and cafe.

We had grown so synonymous with the word unlimited in Singapore that we, or in my case, me fail to understand the power of uncapped internet boundaries. Things ain’t as wired in UK- There is no unlimited internet access unless you have a fixed line for DSL, which is quite out of the question with a dorm unless I rent a shared apartment. The campus itself charges for internet access with monthly caps per account- £6/month for an “academic” 10 GB/month plan, with options for £20/month for 25 GB/month and lastly, £35/month for 50 GB/month.

Campus internet access is notorious for a large number of restrictions and privacy issues, particularly the blocking of ports. I will need my own dedicated access to use my messenger programs, putty/telenet to my server rack via unconventional ports, p2p project files, not to mention using Skype to keep in touch with my loved ones, I can’t have my ports blocked!

One option is to use mobile broadband (MB), so I can have the freedom of the internet when on the move on my long traveling trips. Long 3-4 hour trips in UK are fairly common and that can alleviate much boredom on the roads (which makes us wonder why Singaporeans call a 60 minute bus trip long? haha). I still yet to research more on the security of unencrypted HSDPA networks, and whether it’s as insecure as wi-fi, but that is something I will deal with later.

It’s ain’t the case in Singapore right?
Contrary to what we are charged in Singapore for MB plans based on the chosen speed with unlimited access across all plans, here in UK, the speeds are like 3-7 Mbps max on the network, and mobile broadband is charged with 1GB to 15GB data capped plans monthly. The 3Mbps speed, 15GB data allowance plan costs 30 quid/month (about $70 SGD/month). In comparison, mobile broadband, say, from M1 in Singapore costs $50/month for 7Mbps with unlimited data transfer.

Leaving my PC idle for the day, with surfing, messaging, emails, downloading files and some gaming in between, I average about 400-500MB of data usage a day, so that comes up to 15GB/month minimum if I do not download any large files. 15GB/month is the highest mobile broadband plan I can get in the whole of Europe and no more! Help!

Though true that operating a mobile network in UK is so much more demanding nature given the sheer size and coverage required in comparison to our imploding/overlapping wireless networks we have here in Singapore, to that it might even be an unfair comparison, but the thing I am puzzled about is the lack of range of plans available to the consumer, either that or internet infrastructure here is like 2-3 years behind Singapore.

Recommend me a mobile operator?
With internet tech aside, generally it will be preferred to get my internet and mobile under the same operator, as discounts are known to be given in such cases. I am quite torn for the choices in the UK, first off, there (in the order of coverage) O2, Vodafone (the one which sponsors my favorite F1 team), T-mobile, Orange and Three (Hutchinson 3). I tend to lean towards 3 for their price point, but after some research and word of mouth, it seems that they have the worst coverage in all the 5 telcos. The others are not cheap.

So as to say from a student’s perspective now, currently everything in UK with regards to tech and gizmos is like “what you pay, is what you get inflated!”. Singapore is a well known destination for electronics, and that still holds very well. I guess it’s still wise to buy my laptop upgrades in Singapore.

Much had happened recently, well not only here but around the world, little bits here and there which I punched into as saved drafts into my blog but never had the justification to publish it into a dedicated blog post, so I will just lump it all up into one collective blog post. I think it’s about time the site very much needed an update.

Weird weather
Currently it’s freezing in London with much of the airports facilities not operating at full capacity. I hope things will start to warm out before my study term starts in October. Things are much of the contrary downunder with the heat wave and forest fires. I guess it goes to say with what global warming had come to us- colder winters and hotter summers. Even Singapore is having it’s driest January to date and warm March is approaching. The thing which surprised me is that generally, though not many people on the streets are seeing the consequences of global warming an immediate threat. So lets not to complacent on matter- it will be something with dire results possibly seen even within our lifetime.

Though being green starts with the individual, but I guess it’s the collective efforts by the state and community which fuels the habit on the long term basis. Or can the individual make an impression?

Pre-college administrations
And just when you never heard enough of my talking about how busy I am these days. There is quite alot of college administrative things do now as well.
I do not consider myself fortunate to have guidance on the processes of these applications, particularly related to overseas study due to the lack of experience my family and relatives have on that, except for a cousin of mine, so everything was very much done up through uninformed channels.

This includes getting my student visa done up together. Since I will be 4 years abroad doing my BA and Masters, with a possible engineering attachment in MIT on my 4th year via the Cambridge-MIT exchange scheme, I was instructed to have my passport valid for this whole period. Thankfully, I am starting to appreciate the usefulness and ease of online application facilities, let be applying for a student visa, booking a flight or even filing my IRAS taxes for the year. To think of the queues or doing it manually, especially at the Lavender Immigration Building *shudder* man, I wonder why online facilities never really caught on mainstream.

Now it’s a matter of accepting my offer and making all the needed paperwork for finance, accommodation, etc, not to mention getting those necessities. At least I will be looking forward to the shopping bit of these “chores”, particularly for winterwear, a new luggage, skype phones to call home for free (and to teach me “techie” parents how to use them), a new camera and multi-function printer for skool, not to mention purchasing a spanking new Alienware laptop before term starts.

Other ramblings
On the Singapore sporting front, the Safari Zoo run and National vertical marathon was on last Sunday. Either way, I had to give both a miss (sorry Andre and SGrunners!). As I had been rather caught up with commitments over the weekend.

Entertainment wise, the late Heath Ledger delivers brilliantly as the joker. It’s not surprising that he post humorously bagged the best supporting actor award on 66th Golden Globe Awards. He is a good actor, too bad to see him go like that.

Lastly, thanks to all who sent in their dates and amendments to the Singapore sport event list of 2009 I’ve painstaking compiled last month. I’ve got confirmed word from Nike Singapore themselves that there will be a nike human race 2009 this year, planned around August, they promised to let me in on first hand information when the details are finalised, so stay tuned!

If you have any other events you see bugged or wish to add, feel free to let me know.

There was something rather interesting in the mail today. A nice thick white plain envelope addressed from the University of Cambridge identified via a faint stamp on the corner, nothing fancy, but an avenue of anxiety- The time is right at it is this period of the year where admission results are announced, this will definitely be the result of my university application.

I remembered receiving admission rejection letters from NUS and NTU before- they are simply small and skimpily thin “cannot be bothered” letters of pain and sorrow. So this “package” packed quite some punch, so there must be some weight to it, not to mention a calming reassurance of something not just “a rejection letter”.

So I sat down with the envelope in front of me and opened it. To my amazement, right at the top of the pile was a letter stating that I’ve been offered unconditionally to do my undergraduate course and masters in Cambridge University. Whoa! Packed inside are several questionnaire papers and college information leaflets for freshmen as well as internal scholarship application forms.

There is a financial condition however, which I have to provide acceptable evidence that my scholarship provider is indeed genuine and able to meet all the fees of the course. So I guess I will have to refer that to them then.

I cannot believe I’ve got into Cambridge purely on my own ability! I’ve made it! Cambridge 2009 here I come!