Time Broadband Packages

Time Broadband looks set to give other broadband providers a run with their money as they introduce their Time Fibre Broadband. The broadband is said to be running on TIME's state of-the-art fibre optic network which they claim to feature blazing download and upload speeds so you can chat, share files, watch high definition videos and do practically everything you've always wanted to do online, minus the lagging and waiting. According to reports, TIME's Broadband is capable of offering 50Mps access, which is much faster than the current 1Mbps provided by their rivals.  This makes TIME's Broadband the fastest in the country.  Packages on this new broadband can be seen below.

The Time Fibre Broadband package on December 2010

Previously, TIME also offered the standard ADSL Broadband at the below packages.

The Time Broadband Package (ADSL)

Unfortunately though, both of the packages do seem a little bit expensive if compared to rival local providers., and coverage is limited to certain areas in the peninsular at the moment. For more information, click here to go to the official website of Time Fibre Broadband.

YES 4G Now In Malaysia

Yes Broadband by YTL Communications is now available in Malaysia covering over 65% of West Malaysia.  According to reports, YTL plans to expand its network coverage to 80% by next year, and also penetrate Sabah and Sarawak.  This is indeed good as they are the first broadband or as they say it broader-band service to launch with such a wide coverage.

While tech savvy Malaysians are eager about the latest 4G offerings by YTL Communications, it's launched did hit a snag when their main website yes.my is inaccessible during launch time.  This was indeed a major blow for many, as skeptics were quick to rebuff Yes as the next big thing, hence putting direct 4G rivals, P1 ahead.

As for the rates, nothing concrete can be found on their website after it was fixed, except for the following image.

The Yes plans or rather plan

Apart from their confusing yet plain website, it seems that YTL Communications is still unprepared to say Yes to Malaysians.

With that said, there is a lot of things people in Yes needs to figure out and learn from other broadband providers as their plans seem to be very difficult to understand, hence making it hard for me to say yes to them.

TM Broadband with Netbook Package VS TM Standard Package & TM Combo Package

A few of you must be wondering why I am getting a free netbook. Now, the title is the reason. I am subscibing to the TM Broadband and Netbook package. It maybe the best broadband package available out there. Let's just talk about rates. The standard package of TM's Streamyx is shown below:

And if you are thinking of saving a bit, you could opt for their BLOCKBUSTER package which is shown below:

Right, so the new BLOCKBUSTER Package seems a lot cheaper, right?

WRONG!

Because TM is partnering the Malaysian Government to provide the "TM Broadband with Netbook Package" which offers you this rates:

 

Yes ladies and gentleman, the netbook is FREE, and on top of that, you get lower internet charges.  Maybe you are wondering how this is possible, well.. it's because the government has subsidised the price of the netbook and the broadband service.

I've signed up.. why not you?

p/s: if you are in town, your household must not have a maximum earning of RM5000 per month, while those outskirts must not exceed RM3000.  To get the package, go to the nearest TM Point and bring along your latest pay slip.

Fastest Malaysian Mobile Broadband Is Maxis

A research by Mobile World concludes that Maxis is Malaysia's fastest mobile broadband provider beating its other two rivals, Celcom and Digi.  As a matter of fact, Digi came in second best, and Celcom proved they provided the slowest speeds available.  As indicated by the stats provided, Maxis championed practically every area where it was tested, and cam up ahead of the other two telcos when it came to site loading.  The report also noted that DiGi outclassed Maxis in the KLCC area and this came to a surprise, even to myself as KLCC also houses Maxis's headquaters.

Celcom vs DiGi vs Maxis (Hotlink) Prepaid Broadband Comparison

Most people are wondering which is the best prepaid broadband.  As fans of each brand try to gain ground over the other, here's what I have collected on all 3 prepaid broadband services.  Yes, I did bother to try out all 3 because I wanted the best for my own use.

UniFi - Malaysian High Speed Broadband Project

UniFi was launched by Malaysian PM last night in an event which was not really high-tech. According to TM, UniFi will enable its users to do multiple things over the internet with speeds starting from 10mbps which is double what Streamyx and other 3G networks are offering.

The standard package differs in two major things only, which is the upload and download speed, and the maximum download cap. According to TM, once a user exceeds the maximum download cap, speeds will be throttled to about 10% of their initial subscribed speed. This move isn't shocking since most mobile operators whom also offer mobile broadband have implemented such cap for their services.

UniFi is available for both business and home users with the cheapest package coming at RM149 per month with a download speed of 10mbps, and the fastest coming at 20mbps at RM899 per month. All home packages come with free calls to TM home lines, a cordless phone, free premise gateway, dynamic ip, free email and a list of internet media. (photo below)

Business consumers on the other hand will be provided with a cheaper call plan, fixed IP and 10GB free hosting services to name a few. (photo below)

With such expensive prices on the offering, it may be a wonder how many are willing to commit to UniFi. This largely comes as many will feel that UniFi is more expensive than WiMax provider P1. More info on UniFi can be obtained here.

Streamyx Block Buster Deals

Streamyx is coming up with tonnes of promotions to maintain their share of the huge untapped broadband market in Malaysia. They introduced the COMBO package in 2009, and this year, the Block Buster Deals was introduced.

If you are one of the many Streamyx customers which had previously changed to Streamyx COMBO, then prepare to be disappointed because the new Streamyx Block Buster Deals (BBD) are better and far cheaper.

A quick glance of the package will easily mistaken you with the COMBO package as the price is similar, and there doesn't seem to be much of a difference. however, a closer look will reveal that the call rate are cheaper, and you can actually save another RM10 a similar package.

E.g:

Get the Streamyx COMBO for 512kbps + the add-on Pakej RM10(for free local national and local calls, and RM0.30 to mobile numbers), and you end up paying RM100 per month.

but

The new Streamyx BBD, and you pay RM90 only, with lower calls to mobile numbers.

Regardless of that, the new BBD packaged isn't for those interested in the 384kbps speed as Streamyx has decided to do away with the unlimited internet use for this speed. The previous COMBO deals featured the unlimited usage of the 384kbps internet speed at RM60, but with the discontinuation of such package, budget Streamyx broadband users will have to go for the RM20 for 10 hours usage.

More information on Streamyx BBD can be seen in the image below:

And if you are wondering about the catch of the BBD package, then I have to disappoint you because as you noticed, the terms and conditions which are stated in small fine print letters below the package details are just too blurred out to even recognize, and what more say to read. Nonetheless, you could call 100 for more details on the package.

REDtone Wants Nation Wide Wimax License

Broadband service provider, REDtone believes that they should be given the license to introduce their WiMAX service nationwide. According to a report by the Star Online, REDtone believes they have achieved the 25% broadband penetration in Sabah and Sarawak which was set by the government.

The report also quotes REDtone as saying they currently have 1,000 broadband subscribers within Sabah and Sarawak despite the odds and difficulty faced to set up such service.

REDtones ambition to expand comes as the government is pushing hard for a 50% broadband penetration in Malaysia. Nonetheless, their presence in Sabah and Sarawak in fact remain limited and very much unknown to this date. In addition to that, their subscribtion rate is also considered a little higher than rival broadband providers.