DiGi modernises and improve networks in Malaysia

How is your personal experience with the services provided by your current telecommunication company? Many dropped calls? Intermittent loss of 3G/4G signals when internet-surfing? Limited broadband coverage? Or, are you satisfied?

All of the telcos boost about their products/services being the better ones, but is it always the case?

I'm currently using Celcom for non-broadband services, Maxis for broadband + voice, and DiGi for my broadband-only mobile device. Unfortunately I still experience dropped calls on both Celcom and Maxis on several occasions. I can't comment on DiGi as I don't have voice package with the telco.

If I surf the internet on my mobile devices with Maxis and DiGi, side by side, Maxis beats DiGi anytime, any location (or at least in my case when travelling around west coast of Sabah - Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, Tuaran, Papar). Again, it's a shame that both telcos offer good broadband experience only at selected areas. Talking about limited data coverage.

I remember that MCMC and the relevant ministry warned these telcos on numerous occasions to improve their services or face the music. It's high time they invest good money on better infrastructure rather than just focusing on increasing their customer base.


DiGi investing heavily on improving its network


Launching of DiGi's two new internet products. Photo: Computerworld Malaysia


It's good to learn that DiGi is spending money to provide high quality internet experience.

Computerworld reported that the company has invested about RM1.5 billion (US$460 million) in the last two years in capital expenditure to modernise its network as well as expand its footprint nationwide. In addition, DiGi has further committed up to RM900 million (US$276 million) in capital expenditure to further strengthen its network position.

This is translated into modernisation of electronic parts in more than 5,500 sites with new equipment, expansion of HSPA+ 3G network to more than 80% population coverage, and increasing its own and jointly built fibre network to more than 3,200 kilometres. Malaysia is not a big country, so, 3,200km of fibre optic is quite impressive.

The RM900 million will further improve DiGi's internet experience by increasing its HSPA+ 3G coverage to 86% of population coverage, growing its LTE footprint up to 1,500 sites, and expanding its fibre network.

Currently, DiGi claimed itself to be the fastest growing mobile internet service provider in the country, with mobile internet revenue growth of 47.5% year-on-year.

Source: Computerworld Malaysia

TheGreenMechanics: That's something Celcom and Maxis need to better. For the 'better' speed offered by Maxis, it comes at premium prices in comparison to the other two service providers. Why don't (or why wouldn't) they do that - be competitive price-wise?

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.

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.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 price - Malaysia

The Galaxy Note 3 has been available in Malaysia for over a week now and the recommended retail price, RRP is RM2,399 without contract.

However, almost all telcos in this country offer the phone with voice and data packages to make the selling price more attractive. The followings show the comparison of prices and packages offered by major telecommunication services providers:-

DiGi - starts at RM1,319




Celcom - RM1,538




Maxis - starts at RM1,199






U Mobile - starts at RM999



For more information and to compare between different telcos, go to their respective websites. But for me, I normally visit their service centres before deciding on which carrier to choose.

Celcom's 4G LTE services offer wider coverage

Towards the end of last year, Maxis announced that it will develop long-term evolution (LTE) or 4G sites in Sabah and Sarawak in 2013, beginning with key towns. A normal progression to its existing 4G LTE services in selected areas in West Malaysia.

Welcome on board, Celcom.

This week Celcom rolled out its 4G LTE network and started trial runs with customers. For now the network is only available via USB dongle for RM199 with three months free access, which can be purchased at Blue Cube stores in Sunway Pyramid, KL Pavilion and Menara Celcom.

Speed comparison between 3G and 4G LTE

Celcom is targeting to cover between two million and three million people this year. Currently the company's 4G LTE can be found at selected hotspots nationwide within the Klang Valley, Penang, Malacca, Kota Baru, Johor Baru, Ipoh, Alor Star, Langkawi, Kuantan, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Terengganu and Kuching.

Maxis current 4G LTE coverage is pretty limited to Klang Valley area and its surrounding. Celcom came in later but offer wider coverage - areas in Selangor, Federal Territories, Johor, Malacca, Penang and Perak.

TheGreenMechanics: The coverage is enough incentive to migrate to Celcom eventually. But for now, I'm happy with Maxis 3G.


Read more about Celcom's 4G LTE investment story at The Star

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 price Malaysia - RM1,299

It was first announced to carry a price tag of RM2,199 in Malaysia.

Now, for as low as RM1,299 (DiGi) or RM1,388 (Celcom) you can get to own this distinctively different tablet. The full functional S-pen (a stylus) brings back memories of the old smart phones and electronic organisers, PDA.

The Galaxy Note 10.1 brings in a multitasking experience with its multi-screen feature where user can utilise two different applications side-by-side simultaneously on the expansive view of 10.1-inch screen. Main features of Samsung's new offering are:

Operating System    : Android 4.0 (Ice-cream Sandwich)
Screen size              : 10.1" WXGA (1280x800) LCD
Input                        : S Pen/S Note (apart from touch screen)
Processor                : 1.4GHz Exynos Quad-Core
Cameras                  : 5MP rear camera, 1.9MP front camera


Galaxy Note 10.1 Prices/Packages

The three main telcos - DiGi, Maxis and Celcom - have announced their packages for the new tablet. The recommended retail price is RM2,199 and as usual you can purchase this at much reduced cost in a couple of months.

1) DiGi

2) Maxis

Value Plan 50: Data quota - 1.5GB, monthly - RM50
Value Plan 75: Data quota - 3.5GB, monthly - RM75


3) Celcom

You may want to check out what's in store for you at U Mobile if your area is covered by this service provider.

I have used the services of all three telcos in the past for both my smart phones and tablet. My personal experience is that, Maxis is quite conservative (read stingy) in allocating data for the same amount of money you pay compared to the other telcos. But they offer the fastest surfing experience, for now.

Let's see if Celcom and DiGi buck up. I like Celcom in the sense that they provide the widest coverage and I can go practically everywhere and still get at least 1 or 2 bars of signal on my phone.

New Samsung Galaxy S3 price - Malaysia

When it was first made available in Malaysia on 31 May 2012, some telcos offered the new Galaxy S III for as low as RM999, with data subscription package.

Which telco to go for?

For the world's biggest economy, TECH SOURCE reported that American consumers can start pre-ordering the Galaxy S3 starting June 6, for as low as US$199.99 ( approx. RM632) for a 2-year contract 16GB, at AT&T. Meanwhile, Sprint will sell the Galaxy S3 16 GB for $199.99 (two year contract), and the 32 GB version for $249.99 (approx. RM789).


Galaxy S III Malaysia prices

Click here for detailed specifications of the Galaxy S3.

The recommended retail price for the new S3 is RM2,199 but there is already talk on the street that the price would soon touch RM2,100 (set only). Samsung smart phones are notoriously known for drastic drop in prices after being in the market for a month or two, so, watch out for that and get your timing right.

Maxis
Monthly commitment: RM68 (for data only)
Upfront payment: RM200 to RM500 depending on length of contract
Data quota: 3 GB
Device prices: RM1,399 (24-month contract), RM1,599 (18-month) and RM1,699 (12-month)

DiGi
Monthly commitment: RM63 (applicable to Auto-billing only) + voice call included
Upfront payment: NA
Data quota: 3 GB
Device prices: RM1,449 (24-month contract) and RM1,699 (12-month)

Celcom
Monthly commitment: RM108 + voice call included
Upfront payment: RM300
Data quota : 3 GB
Device prices: RM1,678 (18-month contract) and RM1,748 (12-month).

There are other data plans, such as 1GB and 5GB but I choosed 3GB for illustration as this is the likely amount of data one will be needing. With the capability of the high-end mobile smartphone, the amount of data downloaded as well as uploaded will increase. For smartphone, 1.5GB data plan used to be regarded as the default choice for many. Not anymore.