Beta Maxis FTTH testing

I was browsing through some websites and came across this. It seems that Maxis is testing their Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) in Bangsar! and the writer is one of the lucky beta tester in Bangsar Baru. Although their installation is very labor-intensive, the speed he received is very promising. Please refer to his story here.

TM is also conducting extensive testing on its High Speed Broadband (HSBB) via friendly user trial in 4 designated areas - Taman Tun Dr. Ismail, Subang Jaya, Bangsar and Shah Alam.

But now Maxis? Does anyone know about this? Care to share..?

REDtone Expands its Wireless Broadband Service In Sarawak

REDtone WiMAX is available in Kuching, and now Miri and Sibu people should be happy and glad because REDtone is expanding its high-speed wireless broadband to these places by next year! Miri is said to be able to receive coverage by 1st Quarter 2010, while Sibu by end of 2010.

REDtone currently have 5 packages to choose, ranging from RM138 to RM1,088 per month. Since the launch of its WiMAX service in Kuching 7 months ago, REDtone has more than 1,000 customers in Sabah and Sarawak.
Read more here.

DiGi launched Turbo 3G™ for Mobile in Klang Valley

Just weeks after DiGi Turbo 3G mobile announced its service in Sabah and Penang, DiGi has recently launched its Turbo 3G for mobile phones in Klang Valley. DiGi is said to be expanding into new market centers, including Ipoh, Johor Bahru and Kuching next year.

We are so happy for DiGi on their move, and hopefully they'll be able to cover the whole Malaysia soon.

Read more here. Fore more information on DiGi Internet offerings, please visit their website.

In conjunction with the launch also, DiGi has outlined a full suite of Internet offerings and promotional packages to make Internet services and devices accessible to more people. So why wait, let's go and find their booth/site!

CIMB Maxis iPhone Banking

Maxis users can now do banking with CIMB literally in the palm of their hands. They will need to download the FREE CIMB Clicks application into their iPhone and tap away to enjoy CIMB banking services, such as check account balances, currency calculator, home loan calculator, ATM and Brand locator.

Click here to find out more.

Astro To Provide Maxis' Mobile TV Content

Maxis announced a partnership with Measat Broadcast Network Systems Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Astro All Asia Network plc, for the creation and delivery of rich mobile TV content. The content will include custom-made video productions, as well as Astro's TV channels, to be delivered through Maxis' content distribution channels.

Maxis also introduced Malaysia's first made-for-mobile entertainment series, Dimensions. DimensionS is an 11-episode science-fiction saga with each episode lasting five minutes.

News from here.

Though mobile TV might interest those who are always on the go, I think people are still looking forward for TM HSBB's IPTV, with faster and bigger bandwidth. Might scare off Astro a bit maybe? But Astro has secured EPL for another 3 seasons. That will be a big PLUS for Astro, definitely.

Michael Lai appointed as a member of the WiMAX Forum Board of Directors (BOD)

Congratulation Mr. Micheal Lai. Despite being targeted by the other party, he has recently being appointed as a member of WiMAX Forum Board of Directors (BOD). WiMAX Forum®is an industry-led, organization formed to certify and promote broadband wireless products based on WiMAX.

P1’s appointment into the WiMAX Forum BOD means that, for the first time ever, Malaysia will play a critical role in shaping the future of 4G wireless broadband. For the record, no other incumbent telco in Malaysia, WiMAX or otherwise, have been bestowed such an important role within the telecommunications world.

With this appointment, Malaysia has also confirmed herself as a key regional and global WiMAX hub in speeding up the proliferation and evolution of broadband and beyond.

News from here.

P1 and TM support Teleworking

Works Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor has recently announced "Home Working Programme". Both P1 and TM show that support on this initiative.

I think it's important for the Telco companies to strengthen their network and quality in order for this program to succeed. Companies then could allow their staff to work from home, which will lead to less traffic, less polution, and definitely increase our Broadband Penetration! But most importantly, trust from companies on their employee are needed to run this programme. We'll see how it goes.

Read here and here.

P1 Strike Again!

Yes, as we expected, P1 strikes back! with even better deal for the consumer. Under their latest Potong Now campaign, with only RM100 upfront, they will get to subscribe the home or business packages, and will receive a WiGGY Prepaid (worth RM499) for FREE!

With the Prepaid WiGGY together with a free starter kit, subscribers can easily activate their prepaid WiMAX service when they're on the go. The step by step on getting their prepaid started can be found here. They will receive 4GB Prepaid Usage Pass with 30-days validity.

To reload, they can either go to P1 stores, P1 autorized resellers, P1 direct sales at 1 300 800 888 or via prepaid self care online.

P1 Potong Now campaign detail.

My opinion: Broadband war has started. It's great that they are giving FREE stuff. We, the consumer are very happy with all the value added and slightly lowered price. But in the other hand, if the provider does not improve on their network issue, this will be a HUGE problem. Quality must be maintained, in order for the customers to be satisfied. So I do hope P1 is looking into this.

Bravo P1 for coming up with an innovative package, another initiative to achieve 160,000 subscriber base by year end. But don't forget, Maxis and Celcom has also introduced prepaid Broadband. Still.... this is the 1st WiMAX prepaid!