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Mandatory Broadband Facilities In Future?

Federal government looks serious in increasing the internet broadband usage in Malaysia. The latest development including the possibility of amending the existing law so it is mandatory for developers to install broadband facilities in new commercial and residential properties in future. The reason being is internet broadband is viewed as a necessity,  just like electricity and water. They targets to have 50% to have broadband facilities by end of this year.

Every move toward achieving greater broadband accessibility is applauded, but the definition of broadband facilities the minister is suggesting can raise curiosity to certain parties. Does it means built in modem or router in the building? Or broadband services ready in every house? That doesn’t sounds really possible.  One important element in wired broadband, which is telephone port to connect to wired broadband’s modem or router, is already available in almost every building in Malaysia.

Looking at another angle, broadband facility could also mean telecommunication towers or base station to cater for wireless broadband. This will cover broader areas, but this must comes with an agreement from internet provider companies (ISP). Making it mandatory for developers to come out with this will involve not a small amount of capital. Best if group of developers developing in the same areas to works with the ISP to get this ready and offer some sort of reward to encourage the house buyer to subscribe the broadband.

Malaysia is one of developing countries in the world, but not all level of citizens are in sync with the status that we had. Believe it or not, a lot more still prefer Astro (cable TV station) rather than internet broadband. They view Astro as the source of entertainment as well as information,  but not internet broadband which still perceived as a tools to read email or get their office works done. Broadband should be viewed in broader views, but that must comes with much needed speed.

Another important aspect to look at is, the broadband awareness, which is still low in rural areas and small town. Plus the fact that internet broadband especially wireless broadband comes to no existence in certain places doesn’t help much to spearhead the important of internet broadband. This must comes first, as almost half of Malaysian population still lives in this areas. Achieving 50% target is very much possible if every angles are well covered.

Click here to read the full news.

Admin 5 March 2010 telecommunication , , , 2 Comments

Which Telco to Sell iPhone and iPad in Malaysia, Next?

Apple, the brand that synonym with iPhone will release it’s latest sensation,  iPad and the next generation of iPhone, iPhone 4G by end of this March and June respectively. Maxis, which is the sole telco provide for iPhone is expexted to continue it’s partnership with Apple, but do you think Apple will struck the deal with other carriers?

I’m not analyst nor expert on this field, but here are some food of thought.

1) No Second player.
Malaysian is relatively small market to have iPhone distributed by other carrier. The latest stat showing that we have near saturated mobile market, with over 100% penetration rate by last year. With population about 27 millions (as of 2008),  there are now more users subscribing to more than 1 line which bring the total mobile user close to 28 millions. Of all this number, not everyone can afford or willing to fork out thousands of ringgit to purchase iPhone along with the expensive data plan. In addition to that, Apple will have share on every iPhone package sold to customers. Carrier will definitely carrying feasibility study in order to identify if this revenue sharing model will benefit both parties. Together with the projected number of potential customer , it will determine the if deal is worthy.

2) Partner & loyalty.
In the US, Apple has again partnered with AT&T to sell iPad, any have high chance to exended the deal with AT&T as their sole carrier in the US until 2011. US is huge market, with over 250 millions population. And they do have deep pocket too.  Of how AT&T manage to struck the deal is remain unknown, but you can guess that, it must be lucrative deal that keep Apple on the bay.  Same thing can be said for Maxis, if they’re the only carrier that submit the application for iPad/iPhone distributor right,  or they’re the one that offer the most lucrative deal.

3) Celcom & Blackberry.
As I was a Celcom customer for a very long time, I wish Celcom will sell iPhone as well, but I do feel that’s not gonna happen anytime soon. Celcom is currently leading the Blackberry segment in Malaysia with 52% market share. Although Maxis and Digi does offer and sell Blackberry service, it could be seen that Celcom is partnering with RIM very well recently,  and manage to be the first to offer the Blackberry device. This is an evident where Celcom is the first carrier to launch the latest 3 Blackberry device begin with Curve 8520, Bold 9750 and Storm 9520. Celcom will continue pushing for bigger share or Blackberry share market, which require capital expenditure in term of infrastructure and human resources (eg, sales, support).

To have iPhone at the same time, will see them having the same fate as Maxis, which once leading Blackberry market share, before surrendering the lead upon iPhone arrival.

4)Maxis’s HSPA+
On December last year, Maxis has launched HSPA+ technology in selected areas in Klang Valley and Johor Bharu. Do you see the relation between iPhone and HSPA+? Well, iPhone is known as data-hungry device. The recent study shows that iPhone consume as much as 5x more data that other smartphones. That is predictable as it’s app stone alone has over 100k applications. Demand for data will continue to grows in future, and that’s come along the demand for speedier network. Maxis is in the forefront with this HSPA+ technology to bring this data to smartphones as well as other internet users with the speed that superior than other rival. This is vital to continue provide sufficient network to iPhone and iPad if Maxis manage to land the deal.

5) Size does matter.
Maxis is simply the largest carrier in Malaysia. Although largest doesn’t always means the best, it has few luxury that other doesn’t have. The sheer size, users and capital giving Maxis huge advantage in order to lure deals from Apple.

  • Largest  marketshare 40% (11.25 millions user)
  • Revenue Market Share – 41%
  • Highest Postpaid ARPU – RM102.9 permonths – Maxis subsidized the iPhone it sell with the data and voice/sms plan (postpaid). Higher ARPU indicate how much revenue it earn from each users, and that reflected their spending power as well. Apple loves this spending power of this user can be translated to extra revenue through it’s App Store.
  • Highest Ebitda – 50.6%

6) Telenor factor for Digi?
Digi is the smallest carrier with about 7.2 millions users, but it is one of the innovative one. The fact that it’s parent company, Telenor which was granted the right to sell iPhone in Norway beginning last July is an eye opener. It is remain unknown however, if Telenor do have interest to sell iPhone here in Malaysia through Digi. But, even if Telenor has such desire, would there be any clause in Maxis & Apple deal, that stating the exclusivity of selling iPhone in Malaysia is only for Maxis?

Another things that could possibly rule out Digi is, their own 3G coverage which still remain largely at major cities thourough Malaysia, compared to it’s larger rival which has wider coverage.

7) Best deal wins.
Of all points stated before, the money is always the key decider. In the US, although Verizon is the largest carrier with the widest 3G (and HSPA if I’m not mistaken) coverage, but AT&T who are the second largest carrier (and one of the most disliked carrier due to their buggy network) manage to struck the deal, and even extending it for few more year. See who is the master dealer here?? At the end of the day, the best deals win!!

So it still possible to see Celcom and Digi selling iPhone in future, although that will remain millions dollar question, at this point of time.

Source of figure

Admin 22 February 2010 telecommunication , , , , , 2 Comments

Maxis’s Chinese New Year iPhone Deal

maxis iphone cny Maxiss Chinese New Year iPhone Deal

I was expecting some cut on the iPhone price, but apparently it is just the package as the original one. But you do get free talk time, sms and data for 1 month in conjunction of Chinesse New Year, if you sign up to any iPhone plan above from 5 to 28th February.

I still think iPhone package from Maxis is overly priced device, with high voice and data plan. More about the promo here.

Admin 11 February 2010 Promotion, telecommunication , , , , , 1 Comment

HP 210 Netbook for RM888 with Celcom Broadband

hpmini210 celcom broadband HP 210 Netbook for RM888 with Celcom Broadband

Part of the Celcom Sale which is still going on is until end of March, is the new netbook + Celcom broadband package. The new package consist of HP Mini 210 which you can purchase for RM888 (RRP is RM1199) if you also subscribe to Celcom Broadband Basic or Advance for 1 year. Free USB modem included in this package as well.

With RM100 processing fee, it brings the total package to RM988, still RM200 below the HP 210′s RRP. If you seriously looking for notebook and wireless broad, this is pretty good deal, not too good deal, because you still need to fork out the monthly subscription bill at RM68/98 or   RM816/1176 for 1 year contract. Keep in mind that early termination fee is RM150

HP Mini 210 netbook is relatively new netbook model powered by latest Intel Atom N450. Check out this page for more info.

More on terms & condition

  • Customers can only purchase the Netbook at RM888 upon subscription to:
    • Celcom Broadband Basic (Data Only) @RM68 with 12 months contract
    • Celcom Broadband Advance (Data Only) @ RM98 with 12 months contract
  • Registration Fee of RM100 applies for these packages.
  • The method of the payment for the Netbook (RM888) will only be using:
    • Cash
    • Credit card payment ( any locally issued credit cards)
  • Customers will get the netbook immediately, upon successful payment.
  • The HP Netbook bundled in this package is HP Mini 210
  • The netbook comes with 1 year international limited warranty.
  • An Early Termination Fee of RM150 will be charged to customers should they terminate their service within 12 months from the date of service activation.
  • Customers who wish to terminate their service within 12 months from the date of activation can only terminate the service in any Celcom branch and must return the modem to Celcom in good and fit condition.
  • Celcom reserves the right to charge customer RM150 if customers do not return the modem during termination or the modem returned deemed not to be in good and fit condition.
  • Fair Usage Policy of 5GB per month applies to this package.
Admin 10 February 2010 Promotion, telecommunication , , , , , , No Comments

P1 Wimax To Launch Wimax Equipped Netbook in Q2

p1wmax netbook P1 Wimax To Launch Wimax Equipped Netbook in Q2
photo via

P1 Wimax, the local wireless broadband provider run on WiMax technology has announced their first netbook , another important device under their product line up. The netbook which will be equipped with WiMax chip alongside Wimax package and scheduled to be available by Q2 2010.

The netbook will be manufactured in Taiwan and competitively price so it will looks attractive to users who are looking for combo deal, device and wireless broadband package.

Very little info release to the media, so at the moment, the specification and the price of the netbook is still unknown. The image above doesn’t help much as well to have the clearer view of the netbook. Better images can be viewed here.

With existing netbook plus wireless broadband packages available in the market are offered below RM900, I can safely assume the price is going to be in that range as well, with up to 1 year contract.

via, reference

Admin 10 February 2010 telecommunication , , No Comments
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