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.

TM promotes iTalk Whoa

TM today announced a new product known as the iTalk Whoa which is said to enable users of the internet to stay connected with friends using several social networking sites without the hassle of login in to them.  According to Jeremy Kung, this new portal enables users to have a single platform for their social networking site, and hence allowing them to organize their social networks.

The iTalk Whoa is also said to cover 79 countries while at the same time offering very competitive rates for international calls.

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.

Slow internet in Malaysia again

Malaysia's largest internet service provider, TM reported that some of their undersea internet cables named Asia-Pacific Cable Network 2 (APCN2) are damaged once again. Altough no reason of the damage could be made available, it is greatly suspected that the damage was caused by Typhoon Marakot.

According to TM, internet users would experience slow connection to sites located in Taiwan and the USA due to this damage. However, they also assured that their technicians are working around the clock to rectify the problem as son as possible.