Lenovo's LTE smartphone the Vive Z launched in Malaysia

Lenovo's new Vibe Z is now available in Malaysia but for the first month, this will be exclusive to Celcom customers only. It will then be available to the rest of us starting April 15.


Lenovo Vibe Z is equipped with 4G LTE connectivity


For the consumers, this will give them alternative to the expensive iPhone and HTC, and the market dominating Galaxy series. The Vibe Z screen size is 5.5-inch compared to Galaxy S5's 5.1-inch. So, this is more comparable to Galaxy Note 3 in terms of dimension.


Lenovo Vibe Z: Specifications

Screen	-	5.5-inch IPS LCD
Resolution	-	1920 x 1080 pixels, pixel density: 401 PPI
OS	-	Android 4.3 Jelly Bean
Storage	-	16GB
Processor	-	Qualcomm Snapdragon 800, quad-core 2.2GHz Krait 400 CPU
RAM	-	2GB
Connectivity	-	4G LTE, 3G, DC-HSDPA up to 42Mbps, WiFi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.0, FM radio, A-GPS
Camera	-	Back: 13 MP with f/1.8 aperture lens, Front: 5 MP
Battery	-	3,000mAh
Dimension	-	149 x 77 x 7.9 mm
Weight	-	147 gram

Malaysia launching of the Lenovo Vibe Z. Photo: Computerworld


Lenovo says that the introduction of the Vibe Z further highlights how the Vibe series has begun to show a real impact in the premium segment of the smartphone market.

The Vibe Z focuses on the premium space of the smartphone market - gesture controls, photo enhancement software and other technologies in a razor-thin form, etc


Lenovo Vibe Z: Price

The retail price of the Vibe Z is RM1,799 but I've seen online price of as low as RM1,350 (iPmart) although this probably would not be equipped with 4G LTE connectivity.

For the early birds, they can get one from Celcom during the launch on March 15 for as low as RM688 ( I suppose this would come with a contract attached to it). You can go to Celcom website to find out more.


TheGreenMechanics:
With the rapid advancement in the manufacturing of mobile devices, prices should be going down and not up. Personal computers and laptops are good examples.

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

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

Maxis first to activate 4G LTE for Apple devices - iPad 4, iPad mini, iPhone 5

In another first for Maxis, owners of Apple devices (at least the latest ones) will get to experience super-fast mobile connectivity now.

In short,

• Customers using the iPhone 5, iPad mini and iPad 4 (iPad with retina display), can now enjoy 4G LTE speeds in selected areas
• By the third quarter of 2013 more areas in Klang Valley, Penang and Johor Baru will be covered

Are you currently using one of these?

I suppose this is one of the key areas the telecommunications service provider is campaigning on, which is good.

In February 2013, Maxis launched two 4G LTE smartphones - the Nokia Lumia 920 and HTC One XL, -  the first two smartphones to be activated on Maxis' 4G LTE network


Maxis activates 4G LTE for Apple devices

MAXIS Berhad has announced that customers using the iPhone 5, iPad mini and iPad 4 can now enjoy the speed of its 4G LTE (Fourth Generation Long-Term Evolution) network.

In 2009, Maxis was the first to introduce the iPhone to Malaysia, said its joint chief operating officer (COO) Suren J. Amarasekera. It is now announcing that customers using the Apple iPhone 5, fourth generation iPad with Retina display and iPad mini Wi-Fi + Cellular model can use its 4G LTE network.

With 4G LTE, customers using iPhone 5, iPad mini and iPad 4 can experience download speeds five to 10 times faster than 3G, enabling them to upload pictures and video 10 times faster, Maxis claimed. Following the 4G LTE activation for these Apple devices, customers on Maxis iValue plans as well as data plans of 1G and above will receive an SMS requesting them to update the settings on their devices.

Once they do so, they will automatically be able to experience 4G LTE speeds in Maxis 4G LTE coverage areas. In areas where 4G LTE services are not available, the device will automatically and seamlessly fall back onto Maxis’ 3G network.


Areas covered by Maxis 4G LTE service:

• Bangsar, Mont Kiara, Desa Park, Damansara Heights
• Cyberjaya
• Damansara Utama
• Kota Damansara, Sunway Damansara
• Puchong (Wawasan Puchong, Bandar Kinrara 1, Bandar Kinrara 3, Bandar Kinrara 4, Bandar Puteri)
• Seapark, Dataran Prima, Tropicana
• Petaling Jaya Section 13, 14, 17, 19, SS2
• Sunway, Kampung Tunku, SS2, SS3
• Taman Desa, Pantai Dalam, Old Klang Road
• Taman Gembira, Desa Petaling
• Taman Kinrara 2, Taman Kinrara 3, Taman Kinrara 4
• Taman Megah (SS23, SS24, SS26), Kelana Jaya
• Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI), Bandar Utama, Mutiara Damansara
• USJ3, USJ4, USJ5, USJ9, USJ11, USJ12, USJ13.

TheGreenMechanics: Let's hope the cost of data subscription will become cheaper, as increase of speed means more traffic in data exchange which translates to more revenue for the competing telco companies.

For more details, refer to www.maxis.com.my/4GLTE.

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

Maxis to develop 4G sites in Sabah, Sarawak in 2013

Maxis subscribers on this part of the nation would get to enjoy 4G services as early as on the first-half of 2013. Earlier this month, this website posted an article about an announcement by The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) pertaining to the issuance of the revised SRSP for 4G services in 2600 MHz spectrum.

In less than one week, Maxis announced its plan to develop LTE (Long-Term Evolution) in Sabah and Sarawak next year. LTE is better marketed as 4G technology.

The announcement by MCMC has been long-awaited, so, the Radio System Plan (SKMM SRSP-523) issuance will pave the way for potential service providers to launch 4G mobile services.

According to malaysianwireless.com, 9 service providers have been named for the LTE spectrum pending a green light for commercial roll-out from the MCMC. They are:

1. Puncak Semangat Sdn Bhd             (30MHz)
2. Celcom Axiata Bhd                          (20Mhz)
3. Maxis Broadband Sdn Bhd               (20Mhz)
4. DiGi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd   (20Mhz)
5. U Mobile                                         (20Mhz)
6. Packet One Networks (M) Sdn Bhd  (20Mhz)
7. REDTone Marketing Sdn Bhd           (20Mhz)
8. YTL Communications Sdn Bhd         (20Mhz)
9. Asiaspace Sdn Bhd                        (10Mhz).

20Mhz seem to be a small band for heavy data transfer but I believe Maxis will sort things out by venturing into smart-partnership with one or two other service providers.

Anxiously anticipating.


Maxis to provide 4G services in Sabah, Sarawak next year
via Daily Express, Nov 6, 2012

KOTA KINABALU: Maxis Bhd will be developing long-term evolution (LTE) or 4G sites in Sabah and Sarawak next year, beginning with key towns.

Joint chief operating officer Mark Dioguardi said Maxis was currently awaiting the appropriate licences to be formalised and could not ascertain when the High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) service would be made available next year.

“But definitely not towards the end of next year. That's for sure,” he said at a media luncheon here yesterday.

“We have been conducting extensive LTE-DC (dual carrier) HSPA interworking tests and optimisation in a live network environment using commercial devices to ensure that customers can enjoy seamless broadband experience wherever they are located,” he said.

Dioguardi noted that there were 664 2G sites and 280 3G sites in Sabah with a population coverage of 81% and 44%, respectively. In Sarawak, he said there were 624 2G sites (76% population coverage) and 346 3G sites (54% population coverage).

According to him, Maxis has committed a further RM122mil over the next six months to enhance its network coverage in Sabah and Sarawak.

This includes a deployment of 355 nano and femto sites, which is a technology that provides improved in-house and in-office coverage, 352 enhanced 3G sites and 100 wireless villages or Kampung Tanpa Wayar WiFi sites in both states.

Earlier, Maxis organised a special event in conjunction with Christmas celebration with 50 residents of the Jireh Home for neglected and underprivileged children, the Tolumis Care Centre for the disabled and the Montfort Boys Home. - Bernama