Thaicom first in Asia to introduce in-flight broadband

I'd love to have this onboard AirAsia's Airbus as I will be travelling frequently in the second half of this year. If correctly priced, in-flight broadband would be a hit among today's connected generation.

I would be one of those passengers who'd subscribe to such services.

How it works. Image from Thaicom's service provider, row44.com

Another first for Thailand

Thailand's leading satellite operator, Thaicom has become the first in the Asia Pacific region to introduce commercial in-flight connectivity services using Ku-band to provide broadband on commercial flights beginning in August 2014.

The nation's premium low cost carrier Nok Air, which clocks about 48,000 flights per year will provide broadband Wi-Fi services on many of its aircraft starting in August - ranging from Internet access to other complimentary services in the future.   

The Thaicom In-Flight Connectivity (IFC) broadband service, with its partner Global Eagle Entertainment/Row44, will be implemented as a value added service for Nok Air passengers. The service is capable of delivering 3G-like speed for a superior in-flight broadband experience.

"Nok Air is adding in-flight Wi-Fi to our existing complimentary services to increase the appeal to passengers, particularly the new generation who insist on connectivity." - Patee Sarasin, Chief Executive Officer of Nok Airlines

The carrier has already offered free broadband connection at airport boarding gates and the introduction of in-flight Wi-Fi is consistent with the airline's drive to be innovative. Cool!

You can read more about this at Computerworld Malaysia

Celcom, DiGi signed major backhaul deal with Telekom Malaysia, expect better support for 4G

What this means to the consumers of Celcom and DiGi is that, there should be improve network quality, low latency and high bandwidth for their mobile devices.

This will only be for Peninsula Malaysia, while Sabah and Sarawak will have to wait for, perhaps other means of enjoying better network quality.


Joining hands for better network quality. Photo: CWM


TM, Celcom and DiGi collaborate

Last week, Telekom Malaysia, Celcom and DiGi signed a wholesale bandwidth collaborative deal for TM Next-Gen Backhaul Services, which should help provide the infrastructure for broadband rollout through Malaysia.

Under the agreement, TM will provide wholesale bandwidth connectivity via TM Next-Gen Backhaul services for aggregation and access sites jointly owned by Celcom and DiGi, covering between 3,000-km and 5,000-km in Peninsular Malaysia.

The deal is part of an ongoing network collaboration between Celcom and DiGi announced in early 2011, that aims to roll out more than 10,000-km of fiber network nationwide.

For Celcom and Digi, the deal is expected to support the transmission requirements for their rollout of 4G LTE services and enable both companies to optimize cost and efficiently utilize TM’s infrastructure.

Further story at Computerworld Malaysia site.



TheGreenMechanics: This should be good news. But remember, announcement is not data and is only good for PR. Until then, we will have to be content with the slow 3G speed we currently enjoy.

This reminds me of Maxis, the other major telco in Malaysia. I'm quite sure the executives at Maxis have something up their sleeves to win customers back from possibly jumping ship to Celcom and DiGi as a result of this development.

4 to 10 Mbps broadband penetration for rural residents by 2016

In about 3 years' time, folks in the rural areas will get to enjoy up to 10 Mbps of broadband connections. For those in the urban areas, you can expect to be connected at a speed up to 300 Mbps.

Great. I hope it will become reality and not just lips service!

I read that critics are already throwing the wet blanket, saying that rural folks cannot afford this as they are already burdened with higher petrol price, lift in the sugar subsidy, etc, and that they are likely to abandon their farms for spending too much time online.

What a nonsense! Why not let the people decide for themselves what they want to do with the technology at hand. They just need to be educated, they will decide when and what to look for  online.

Communication tower in the suburban area of Penampang. Photo by de engineur

Up to 10 Mbps broadband penetration for rural folks

Rural folks in the country would enjoy a faster broadband penetration of between four and 10 megabits per second (mbps) while urban dwellers, between 100 and 300 Mbps by 2016, said Communications and Multimedia minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek.

He was referring to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's announcement in the Budget 2014 yesterday that the government would be implementing the second phase of the high speed broadband (HSBB) initiative with the private sector involving an investment of almost RM1.8 billion, that would benefit 2.4 million households nationwide.

According to him, foundation works on the project had been already been initiated. The allocation is already there and the sites for the towers and cable installations are already identified.

"In 3 years' time we will see a different scenario in which internet connection would be much faster. In terms of broadband coverage in the country we are not too far behind developed nations with almost 70%" - Communications and Multimedia minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek.

According to him, broadband penetration in the rural areas was presently between 1 and 2 mbps while in the urban areas, between 2 and 20 mbps.

TheGreenMechanics: Malaysians are a smartphone crazy lot. According to Nielsen, our smartphone penetration rate now stands at 80%, compared with US' 60% and UK's 72%. That is just about right for an improved broadband penetration. 

Of course there are pros and cons to all this. It is all up to us to choose what we want.

Celcom and Nokia Solutions to roll out 4G LTE networks in Klang Valley

If you are speed hungry, Klang Valley is the place to be. Several telcos have already unveiled their plans to roll out 4G LTE services and solutions in this area, starting this year.

More recently, Celcom signed a 3-year contract with mobile broadband systems firm Nokia Solutions and Networks (NSN) to roll out LTE services in Klang Valley, which includes Kuala Lumpur and surrounding areas.

For the record, Celcom started trial runs of its 4G LTE networks in April this year by making available USB dongles to its customers for RM199 with three months free access.


Collaboration between Celcom and NSN

Under the 3-year contract, NSN will be transforming Celcom’s entire Klang Valley network to a Single RAN (Single Radio Access Network) system based on its compact, high-capacity Flexi Multiradio 10 Base Station for GSM, 3G and LTE.

The base station enables an easy and cost-effective site upgrade to LTE using NSN’s NetAct network management system, which provides consolidated management for Celcom’s network. The deal also includes intelligent Self Organizing Network (iSON) functionality to improve LTE network quality with self-healing, self-optimization and self-configuration across the radio network.

NSN will provide Celcom with refarming services for the 1800 MHz GSM band, desktop planning, pre-optimization services, and operational services for process alignment, support and engineering.

To date, NSN has 92 commercial references for the delivery of LTE with leading customers in advanced mobile broadband markets such as Northern Europe, Japan, South Korea and the United States.


TheGreenMechanics' Two cents: 

4G or what not, we are still struggling to fully utilise the capability of the 3G network. There is little point in deploying the faster network - the 4G LTE - when the infrastructure for even the slower 3G network is not in place.

Improve on the service quality  - less dropped calls, less 3G services outages, better coverage, etc - and we, the consumers will appreciate it, rather than blowing the trumpets on who has the fastest broadband speed!


More details of the deal here.

World’s largest 4G ultra-broadband mobile network launched by China Mobile

World largest mobile communication operator, China Mobile Ltd had awarded 4G contracts worth around 20 billion yuan ($3.2 billion), with Chinese firms securing more than half of it - particularly China’s biggest telecoms equipment makers, Huawei and ZTE - and foreign firms winning about a third.


China Mobile has more than 750 million subscribers, or 60% of the total mobile subscription in China.


Major foreign players include Ericsson, Nokia, and Alcatel-Lucent with the use of the latter's innovative lightRadio 4G TD-LTE overlay for the nationwide roll-out of the world's largest high-speed mobile broadband network.

Alcatel-Lucent has been awarded 11% of China Mobile's deployment of Phase I of its 4G network. This involves deployment of more than 207,000 mobile base stations in China by the end of 2013.

China Mobile has been actively carrying out large-scale TD-LTE live network trials in China for more than 3 years and is now scaling the deployments. Alcatel-Lucent has been closely involved with China Mobile in developing TD-LTE from the inception of the technology.


China Mobile preparing for iPhone 5S and 5C rollout?

China Mobile will launch 4G services early next year. Apple’s latest iPhones are compatible with the TD-LTE spectrum used by China Mobile, which has led to expectations of a future sales deal to sell the devices.

TheGreenMechanics: It'd be great to see the full scale roll-out of the speedier 4G LTE network in Malaysia. Also, I'd love to see collaboration between the main telcos - Celcom, Maxis, DiGi - to provide consumers with better quality mobile broadband.


Source: Financial Times

How many people can use a café’s Wi-Fi at once?

I was visiting our HQ the other day and was unable to connect to the Wi-Fi, and I was wondering why, because I could tell the number of people there was no more than thirty.

A colleague told me that the maximum number of connection may have already been exceeded at that time.

Do you normally connect to the free Wi-Fi when at coffee shops? Image source

So, how many people can connect to a cafe’s Wi-Fi at once? Or for that matter, to a single Wi-Fi spot anywhere?

Hardware-wise, most routers will handle 255 simultaneous users, more than enough for the average coffee shop. The main limiting factor is the cafe’s incoming broadband speed. If it has a cable connection offering 25Mbps and wishes to keep its customers happy by offering a consistent speed of at least 1Mbps per user, then the coffee shop’s limit is 25 people.

But with our situation in Malaysia - the 3G connection of 3Mbps to 7Mbps at best effort and fixed line broadband speed from TM of less than 5Mbps - it is far from good to satisfy 15 to 20 customers with decent speed.

You may end up getting a mere 400kbps to 800kbps (0.4 - 0.8Mbps) at a medium sized cafe. Not good enough to surf the internet.

Maxis network and coverage not improving!

This may seem like generalising things and hence unfair to Maxis but in my particular case, this is true - Maxis 3G network and coverage is not improving. At least not in my area in Penampang.

Before anyone start accusing me of trying to put Maxis in bad light, let me put the record straight - I have 3 accounts (or package subscriptions) with Maxis, i.e. Surfmore75, Maxis Value for iPad, and Mobile Broadband with modem.

I have terminated my TM Streamyx unlimited access earlier this year after deducing that Maxis is able to cater for my broadband requirement.

"No Service" - This was the time I made inquiry and complaint to Maxis Customer Care. 18-7-2013

Celcom 3G - The other telco shows 3G network with fair signal level. See top-right of the display.

Another screen capture 16 minutes later after contacting Maxis. Sorry buddy, no 3G for you!

At the time this article was posted (1.45pm), my iPhone was still showing signal of 1 bar and no 3G connectivity. This is despite having done all the tests/settings mentioned by the Customer Services officer on the other end of the line.


Not the first prolonged hiccup

I have experienced similar poor network coverage before and made similar complaint. It was on June 28, 2013. I was told at that time that Maxis was carrying out some upgrading works on the telecommunication tower, or their equipment, or something to that meaning. My wife, who is also a Maxis customer suffered the same "No Service" treatment by the supposedly better-then-your-competitor telco.

I have to put this in record as I may need to refer to the dates later if needed be.


TheGreenMechanics: I'm just a small ant and I couldn't possibly hurt the giant telecommunication company by switching to DiGi or Celcom, but as a customer I will do what I think is right for me in due course.


BTW, Maxis Customer Care number is 03-7492 2123

Apple is throttling iPhone data speed?

If you are iPhone user, there is reason for you to be concerned about - report says that Apple is collaborating with 3 major carriers in the US to "soft throttle" data speeds for iPhone in their networks.

Although the throttling is not to a point where users experience 'crawling' speed, iPhone users are said to be losing out to Samsung Galaxy users in terms of true potential of the device.

“I’m not saying the throttling is a typical throttle where you see 2G speeds. It's a soft throttle to slow users down a bit.”
- Joseph Brown, a well known iPhone hacker.

I hope this is nothing more than a mere allegation.

If that happen in Malaysia and iPhone's true potential is purposely manipulated to "even it out" with the telcos' capability, I will seriously consider switching to Android.


How about a download speed of 28.6 Mbps such as this one? I'm drooling.


iPhone Data Speed Throttling? Say It Ain’t So, Apple!

Is Apple  throttling your iPhone’s true data speed?

Joseph Brown, who is probably best-known for previously creating several iPhone carrier hacks, posted the details of his discovery on the iTweakiOS site. Via Cult of Mac, Brown states, “Apple and the carriers have implanted coding to purposely slow down or limit the data speeds the device can achieve… iPhones are very complex devices with a very complex OS.

The OS eats much more data, even when in idle mode, than most phones on the market. So by carrier request, Apple limits devices to ‘even out’ the network, even if it means Galaxy users outperform Apple devices by such large scales.”

Brown notes that the throttling code is found in both iPhones and iPads on AT&T’s network. Verizon throttles data speeds for Apple’s mobile devices on its 4G LTE network. Verizon and Sprint both slow down data speeds on their 3G networks, although their data throttling can be circumvented with a hack.

However, Sprint does not appear to throttle data speeds on its high-speed network. T-Mobile might be the best option for Apple device users, since it appears to do the least throttling of any carrier.

Brown posted screenshots of iOS code from an AT&T iPhone 5 that demonstrates how the network speed settings are switched from 21.1 Mbps to14.4 Mbps, despite the fact that AT&T’s network and the iPhone 5 support speeds as high as 21.1 Mbps.

Via his Twitter account, Brown points out, “I’m not saying the throttling is a typical throttle where you see 2G speeds. It's a soft throttle to slow users down a bit.”



Further reading at: WSCS and iphonefaq. There are interesting debates there on the allegation.

YES world's first Samsung 4G Chromebook launched in Malaysia

This laptop for Malaysian consumers is special. Samsung's Exynos 5-based Chromebook which was made available since last October, now comes equipped with WiMAX radio with 4G chipset pre-installed in it.

Yes launches world's first Samsung 4G Chromebook in Malaysia

Yes on Wednesday, launched the world's first Samsung 4G Chromebook. Developed by Google and Samsung, the 4G Chromebook enables everyone to live, learn, work and play in a simpler, smarter and lighter way.

"The Samsung 4G Chromebook will be the first device for many people. It is affordable, secure and always connected to the Internet. No one will be left out of the Internet age," said YTL Communications Chief Executive Officer Wing K. Lee.

"I am particularly excited at the pace at which 4G connectivity is being rolled out throughout the country. What's happening in Malaysia can be a role model for many other countries around the world."
- Sundar Pichai, Senior Vice President for Android, Chrome and Google Apps

The Samsung 4G Chromebook comes with a built-in 4G chipset that enables seamless and always-on Internet. It is designed from the ground up to work with Yes IDs, providing high-speed mobile Internet connectivity of up to 20Mbps on the Yes 4G network.

The Samsung 4G Chromebook boots in seconds and comes with popular Google apps like YouTube, Gmail and Drive so users can work and play right out of the box. The Samsung 4G Chromebook also comes with 100GB of Google Drive storage that is free for two years. Unlike other computers, it keeps getting faster over time with seamless updates and built-in virus protection.

Perfect for those on-the-go, the Samsung 4G Chromebook is one the lightest laptops on the market weighing in at just 1.1 Kg and a 17.5 mm thin profile with a 7-hour battery life.


Data plan and pricing

The Samsung 4G Chromebook retails at RM988 with a 24-month RM88 postpaid plan which comes with a monthly data quota of 3.5GB. The device alone retails at RM1299. It is now available at Yes Stores nationwide and its online store shop.yes.my. The device is also available to 1BestariNet Yes ID holders through the FrogStore at frogstore.my and at Bestari roadshows nationwide for RM988 with 24-month RM69 plan which comes with a monthly data quota of 3.5GB.


Source: Mylaunchpad

Maxis unveils its first 4G LTE smartphones

The big names in broadband-enabled smartphones such as iPhone 5, Galaxy S3, Note II, etc, all come equipped with 4G LTE.

But none of these are compatible or supported by the local cellular networks. So, in yet another first for Maxis, the leading communications service provider came up with its first 4G phones.

Look tempting!

On Friday, Feb 8, Maxis launched two 4G long-term evolution (LTE) smartphones - the Nokia Lumia 920 and HTC One XL. These will be the first two smartphones to be activated on Maxis' 4G LTE network.

"Available at Maxis centres in Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre and Taman Tun Dr Ismail, customers can purchase the Nokia Lumia 920 from only RM1,099 with surfmore 75 plan or talkmore78 with 3GB mobile Internet and HTC One XL from RM1,199 with surfmore 75 or talkmore78 plan with 3GB mobile Internet.

"We look forward to launching more smartphones and tablets this year on Maxis' 4G LTE network, so customers can enjoy the most superior on-the-go experience," said Maxis Joint Chief Operating Officer Suren J Amarasekera.


What? My favourite smartphones are not in the list?

Disappointed that your iPhone or Galaxy S3 are not activated on Maxis' 4G network?

Maxis said, "Through our strong partnership with leading device manufacturers and content players, Maxis is indeed well-placed to provide customers with a richer, on-the-go Internet experience."

So, yes, maybe in the near future your gadget will also be listed. But then Maxis is not the only player  that can offer 4G LTE connectivity. DiGi, P1, Unifi and Celcom are almost sure to come up with their own list of devices and plans soon.

It's just that Maxis was the first to take the plunge testing the water.

Reference: Maxis press release

Latest list of 70 3G smartphones offered with RM200 rebate

MCMC has updated additional 28 models of smartphones eligible for the RM200 rebate for youths. This is part of the 70 models approved by Ministry of Information, Communication and Culture.

Youth Communication Package

Earlier, in December 2012 there were 23 models of 3G phones priced below RM500 approved under the scheme. This make it 51 models so far and you are encouraged to check MCMC's portal from time to time to find out what's next in the line-up.

The latest list includes top-of-the-line models from Apple, HTC, Samsung and other makes:

1. iPhone 5
2. Samsung Galaxy S3
3. Samsung Galaxy Mini 2
4. Samsung Galaxy Y
5. Samsung Galaxy Note 2
6. Samsung Galaxy Ace Plus
7. Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini
8. Samsung Galaxy Note
9. Samsung Galaxy Nexus
10. LG Optimus LE E400
11. HTC Desire C
12. HTC One X
13. HTC Wildfire S
14. HTC Desire X
15. HTC One S
16. Nokia Asha 311
17. Sony Xperia Tipo Single
18. Sony Xperia SL
19. Sony Xperia Ion
20. Sony Xperia S
21. Huawei Ascend P1
22. Windows Phone 8X By HTC
23. Ninetology Blackpearl 2 i9400
24. Ninetology Stealth 2 i9500
25. Palette i5300 
26. ZTE Acqua
27. Buzz 4G Cloud Phone
28. Insight i9430

In a press release dated Jan 11, 2013 MCMC also announced that telecommunication companies involved in the Pakej Komunikasi Belia (Youth Communication Package) have appointed about 1,000 dealers nationwide and more will be added in time to come.

Also, check here the previous List of 23 3G smartphones offered for RM200 rebate.


TheGreenMechanics' two cents:

Seriously, if you can afford the top-of-the-line iPhone 5 priced at RM2,799 then you really should not be eligible for the RM200 rebate. What is the government thinking? What's next - lifting the age limit of applicant? This decision flip-flop need to stop!

List of smartphones with RM200 rebate for youths - Starting Jan 1, 2013

Recently I posted about the Government getting ready to implement the RM200 rebate to buy 3G enabled smartphone to youths aged 21 to 30 in January 2013. Recently the relevant agency came out with the initial list of 3G phones.

The list of smartphones that will be offered are as follows: (This is as at 26 Dec 2012 and the models list will be updated from time to time in the Service Provider's website) -

1)  Alcatel 993D
2)  Alcatel OneTouch Glory 2
3)  Alcatel OneTouch Inspire 2
4)  The Buzz Phone
5)  HTC Wildfire
6)  Huawei Ideos X3
7)  LG Optimus L3
8)  Ninetology Black Pearl II
9)  Ninetology Palette
10) Nokia 2730
11) Nokia 7230
12) Nokia Asha 305
13) Nokia Asha 308
14) Nokia Asha 311
15) Nokia C2-03
16) Nokia Lumia 610
17) Samsung Galaxy Chat
18) Samsung Galaxy Mini
19) Samsung Galaxy Pocket
20) Samsung Galaxy Y
21) Sony Xperia Tipo
22) ZTE Acqua
23) ZTE V790

UPDATE: Check the List of additional 28 smartphones announced by MCMC on Jan 11, 2013, including iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy S3.

Note: The brand, model and quantity offered may differ amongst different Service Providers.


Eligible youths can apply online

Youths aged 21 to 30 will be able to start applying for the RM200 rebate off selected 3G smartphones from celco nominated registered dealers. Applications for the Youth Communication Package (YCP) (or Pakej Komunikasi Belia (PKB)), under the National Broadband Initiative; can be made by registering online at http://nbi.skmm.gov.my/ starting from 1 January 2013.

The scheme is on a first-come-first served basis and will be for the first 1.5 million eligible youths who may claim their smartphones while stocks last.

Youths who qualify for the RM200 rebate will be able to purchase 'selected' 3G smartphones costing up to RM500 from selected dealers and agents appointed by service providers. With the rebate, they are expected to pay no more than RM300 to own a new 3G smartphone.


MCMC in refuting speculations that the RM500 price limit was low:

“The idea is to spread the incentive across to those who do not yet use smartphones. We really want to help those who cannot afford to change phones to upgrade from their old 2G phones to a basic 3G smartphone. Those who can afford phones priced above RM500 are really not in the intended category or target market. Some of those phones can reach prices of over RM2,500 without contract. A RM200 rebate does not even make a dent but if the phone is priced at RM500, a RM200 rebate goes a long way.”

For more information visit http://www.skmm.gov.my

Sorry folks, there'll be no incentive for iPhone 5, Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note 2, or HTC One X. LOL

Broadband penetration in Sabah is now 47%, or is it?

As far as broadband penetration is concern, it seems that we are not too far off from other states in Malaysia.

Penetration rate of 47% is not too bad compared with the 34% figure given by Sabah Minister of Resource Development & Information Technology, Dr. Yee not too long ago. At national level, broadband penetration rate for households in Malaysia is 62.9% (as of Q1, 2012) compared to 62.3% in 2011. Malaysia has about 6.69 million households.

Datuk Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi said:

"The broadband access rate in Sabah is close to 47% currently and not 34% as was reported previously. The new access rate was determined through a recount as the majority of the people enjoying the facility are not transients in Sabah."

For the record, previously in July, and as recent as early this month, broadband penetration rate in Sabah is reported to be just 34%.

That is what we believed until someone from Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) popped up and surprised us all (or should we be surprised at all?) with the above statement. Datuk Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi is the MCMC Chairman.

Let me summarise - from from my understanding - on what he revealed to the press:

1)  We made mistake when calculating Sabah's

     broadband penetration rate,

2)  We recounted and the new figure is 47%
3)  The lower figure earlier published is because of 

     inclusion of illegal population in Sabah, in the 

     calculation formula.

Isn't that startling? The low penetration rate is one thing but even more worrying is the statement issued by MCMC:

The household broadband penetration in Sabah has stretched to 34 per cent, but if the number of illegal immigrants is set aside, the rate can reach 47 per cent. - Daily Express, Dec 7, 2012

TheGreenMechanics' two cents:

To MCMC, I say DON'T GIVE EXCUSES! You stated that 37% of the population of over 2.52 million was illegal immigrants. Illegal or not, they are still party to the statistics. Therefore, they should be counted for the purpose of calculation of rate of penetration.

Don't exclude them just to paint a good look on your performance, and then count them in (include) again when it gives you advantage. That's a terrible way of addressing the poor broadband services here. And the transient population!

But if you can exclude them permanently by solving the illegal immigrant problem in the state, by all means, go ahead!

As far as I am concerned, the penetration rate is still at a poor 34%. Period.