As shown above, is my brother’s SingTel USB modem which connects him to 1Mbps/384kbps (upload/download) mobile wireless broadband in Singapore. I’m surprised that it even comes with a 1GB SanDisk MicroSD card, which has approximately 8MB occupied for the modem installer, and plenty more free space left.
I must say that quality wireless broadband is freaking cheap in Singapore. The package that my brother is subscribing to, entitles him 50GB of monthly data usage at only S$16 (approximately RM40). 50GB is more definitely more than enough for his after-work internet usage, it’s like 1.6GB for a few hours at night. If you’re working earning in Singapore Dollars, S$16 plus is really nothing!
Seeing that, I couldn’t resist but to make some comparisons with what’s available to us in Malaysia.
Maxis Wireless Broadband - 3GB monthly data usage, possibly-throttled speed, RM118 per month
Recently, in Klang Valley area, banners promoting Maxis USB modem with animal print designs are easily spotted everywhere. Ya I agree that it looks nice, adding a little “wild factor” to the otherwise plain device.
What about the internet speed? Wah quite shiok lo.. everywhere you see, the banners and brochures say “up to 3.6Mbps“, it’s like 3 times faster than the RM88 Streamyx 1.0Mbps wired broadband. But, wait till you read this page:
3.6Mbps in Maxis High Speed 3G (HSDPA) coverage areas, 384kpbs in 3G coverage areas, 247kbps on Maxis EDGE in major cities and towns, 56kpbs on Maxis GPRS nationwide
In most cases, unless you’re using it at KLCC and some (very few) hot places in KL and Klang Valley, the 3.6Mbps Maxis High Speed 3G is not available. From my experience of surfing with Maxis 3G on my phone, you can tab to the 384kbps (theoritical speed only) Maxis 3G in most of the town areas in Peninsula Malaysia. Which means, most of the time, you are paying RM118 a month for 384kbps, unless you are residing in the very limited Maxis High Speed 3G coverage areas. This is a bit unfair; Maxis should offer cheaper price for 384kbps 3G package, to users who are out of HSDPA coverage areas.
Many people are not aware of, but Maxis actually has a Fair Usage Policy published online. Read these quotes:
5.2.2: Maxis does not guarantee a service level and/or connectivity to users of peer-to-peer or file sharing software/applications.
5.2.3: The system that is used to provide the Maxis Broadband service can identify very high bandwidth users and Maxis seeks to manage the customer’s usage by throttling their bandwidth to a much lower broadband speed to ensure fairness to all customers.
5.3.1: Each customer’s total usage per month shall NOT exceed 3GB of data volume transmitted (total upload and download usage). This is to ensure that no individual hogs the bandwidth at all times.
Wah lao… read those clauses or not??? Before many aware, this type of policy or end-user agreement will usually be overlooked (just scroll all the way down and click “Yes I Agree”).
The Maxis Broadband Fair Use Policy simple says that:
- Maxis may not allow you to use BitTorrent or alike peer-to-peer file sharing mechanisms. According to MelzKC, Maxis opens their broadband link for peer-to-peer file sharing from 1am to 6am, but at better-off-not-opening-the-line (very slow la) speed.
- If you are using too much bandwidth, Maxis will intelligently throttle your line to a slower speed.
- Your RM118 a month is not big! You are only entitled for 3GB of monthly data usage.
Frankly speaking, this is the most unacceptable policy. Comparing to the 50GB data limit offered by SingTel mobile wireless broadband, 3GB is only 6% of SingTel’s offering. What can you do with 3GB monthly data limit??? Worse still, this limitation is not even clearly mentioned in their marketing materials.
Celcom Wireless Broadband - RM68 per month for 384kbps
So far, from user comments that I’ve read and heard, Celcom wireless broadband has far better rating comparing to Maxis. Unlike Maxis who charges the same rate regardless of 3G (384kbps) or HSDPA (3.6Mbps) connectivity, Celcom offers a fair pricing scheme.
- Broadband Basic (3G at maximum speed of 384kbps) - RM68 per month
- Broadband Advance (HSDPA at maximum speed of 3.6Mbps) - RM98 per month
Obviously, even with the package of higher speed, Celcom wireless broadband is still cheaper than Maxis’ offering - a difference of RM20! Further more, why pay RM118 for Maxis’ 384kbps??
Besides, Celcome doesn’t block peer-to-peer file sharing such as BitTorrent.
iZZi - RM66 per month for 1Mbps, but limited coverage areas and more bulky device
If you are lucky to be residing in iZZi service coverage, then you can enjoy the cheapest 1Mbps wireless broadband, provided you have a laptop with PCMCIA slot.
For the same 1Mbps speed, iZZi offers 2 different packages at 2 different pricing, which are only differentiated by its terminal type:
1. PCMCIA terminal - RM66 per month
2. USB terminal - RM98 per month
In other words, if you are only connecting from laptop, then you can benefit from the RM66 package. Else if you need to connect from a PC, then you have no choice but to pay RM98 for the USB terminal. Quite a big difference in fact.
At present, the limitation of iZZi broadband is its limited service coverage - only available in KL and Klang Valley. iZZi ought to expand its coverage as soon as possible, or it will face a steep direct competition from the upcoming Packet One WiMAX.
Besides, the iZZi’s PCMCIA and USB terminals are also not as small and lightweight comparing to Maxis’ and Celcom’s USB modems.
50GB monthly data limit at RM40??
To me, for after-work internet usage, 50GB monthly data limit is definitely more than enough. Our service providers should consider offering such package aiming at the working community, who knows how much internet data they need. This concept is very popular among the telcos in Singapore, and users are generally happy with it.
Check out Lowyat forum for user comments:
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This post is so informative! Thanks for clearing all my doubts towards the Maxis and Celcom 3G in this post.
Seriously, I can’t think of any reason why malaysia cannot compete with singapore where we have almost all resources and singapore have nothing, and they are performing so much better then us.. -.-
Plain simple, our infrastructure s*cks big time. LOL!
I personally use the HuaWei 3G wireless Broadband Modem by Celcom and all i gotta say is it sucks! I hardly can get any connection only 4th or 5th mile away from town. The worst thing is i keep getting disconnection from the line. I hate Celcom now!
I’m a maxis broadband user and i would say that the performance is not satisfy at all.
Firstly, the coverage is an issue. If you are out of their coverage area your connection will be at turtle speed!
Secondly, even though you are in their HSDPA coverage area, you will keep on disconnected and you’ll feel very irritating to re-connect again.
Thirdly, The monthly fees is damn expensive, i was the first batch who signed up at RM138 per month.Consider the poor coverage and services provided, I personally feel that the service does not deserve at this rate.
Last but not least,Don’t you feel that the design look a little clumpsy compared to SingTel one?