Maxis: No service during power outages

It's not fair!

I could come up with lesser than decent comment but I would settle for that for the time being.

Quality of service in the area where I reside (Penampang) is just poor. Every time there's power failure, the internet and telecommunication services would be interrupted, leading me to believe that Maxis does not have standby power for the anticipated power outages. Frequent power disruption on the part of SESB should not translate into similarly poor performance by Maxis.


                                     Screenshot 1


                                     Screenshot 2


                                     Screenshot 3


Power supply failure would quickly be followed by interruption of 3G service (Screenshot 3), and if the power outage prolong, the wireless communication would completely stop (Screenshot 1 and 2).

Maxis should at least provide bigger energy storage (battery) to keep the services going at reduced mode. There's no point shouting about installing more 4G LTE stations if they become dis-functional during power failures!


Note: The other mobile phone which is on Celcom does not seem to be much affected.

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?

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.

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

Could not activate cellular data network

Have you gone through a moment when your anxiety level reaches extraordinary heights as a result of your Apple army stops working?

You are not alone. The common error message is "Could not activate cellular data network", and you are well within the 3G coverage area.


iPhone

I've had similar problems with my previous iPhone 3GS and with my current iPhone 4S on several occasions and managed to get around them with simple toggling of the Airplane Mode. Tap to activate it then tap again to de-activate.

On other occasions a white apple reset (switching of/on the unit) did the trick.


Also happened on iPad

Today that error appeared on my new iPad (ipad 3) again when I tried surfing the internet. This is the first time that I encountered such issue since I purchased my iPad last year.

Other users stated that this maybe a wireless switching bug between WiFi and Cellular, but at the time of  the incident I was not connected or switched to WiFi. I was all the time on 3G.

Tried searching for specific info and iPad returned this error message

I search on the net and found that I should try the followings:

1. Toggle cellular data off and then on again on the iOS Device:
    iPad: Tap Settings > Cellular Data  --- did not work for me
2. Restart your iPad.                           --- did not work for me
3. Change Carrier (MY MAXIS) setting from Automatic to Manual selection --- also, no luck!


What did work?

4. Reset network settings worked for me, although I'm aware that not everyone get this one working for them.

a) Under Setting, tap General: then tap Reset

b) Tap Reset Network Settings: then enter your device passcode (if any).
     Note: Be prepared to get your network settings to the original factory setting.
              But it really is not harmful as other settings and data in your device are left intact.

c) Wait for a while and your iPad will automatically switch off and on with cellular data back functioning

I was able to surf again.

This is just a temporary solution as it could happen again anytime. If it is a bug in Apple's iOS program, I hope they will fix it sooner rather than later. You don't want to carry the tag of "A Device That Keep Crashing".

Hope this helps.

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

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.