1Malaysia Netbook With Broadband Price Capped At RM1,000

So next time you want to purchase 1 Malaysia netbook, you gotta be sure the price is below RM1000 including the broadband subscription fee for 6 months period. The ‘assurance’ is provided by the minister themselves, and I assume the that’s include installment payment method.

But alas, even before that, some of the price of 1 Malaysia netbook with 384 kbps broadband is only at RM912 with 24 months installment.  Unless the said package is come with the 512 kbps broadband package or better, or this covers all netbook model under the 1Malaysia netbook initiative,  I foresee nothing new here.

Access Speeds Streamyx + Komputer 1Malaysia netbook (For the 1st 24 months and beyond) (RM) Streamyx + HP Netbook (RM)
1st 24 months From the 25th month onwards
384Kbps 38 59 38
512Kbps 53 74 53
1Mbps 68 89 68
2Mbps 83 104 83
4Mbps

source: thestar

TM To End Unifi Free Installation By End Of September

tm unifi1 TM To End Unifi Free Installation By End Of September

TM has announced that Unifi’s free installation fee will be end on 31st September 2010.  From October onward, each Unifi installation will be charged with RM200. The installation fee waiver is temporary steps by TM to boast it’s presence in ultra speed broadband network. Now that the waiver is about come to an end,  if you still undecided which broadband you’re looking for, this is probably the best thing you can get in Malaysia. More on that can be read from from the press release below

Press Release

GET UNIFI BEFORE 30 SEPTEMBER AND ENJOY RM200 OFF!
TM to begin charging for installation from 1 October 2010, so hurry, sign-up for your UniFi service soonest possible

The introductory promotional period for Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM)’s UniFi high speed broadband service will end on 30 September 2010.

Starting from 1st October 2010 TM will begin charging a one-time fee of RM200 for UniFi installation. This installation charge is across the board; covering the UniFi VIP5, VIP10 and VIP 20 triple-play consumer packages as well as the BIZ5, BIZ10 and BIZ20 business packages. For convenience, the UniFi installation charge will be spread in instalments over a period of 5-months at RM40 per month and will be reflected in the customer’s monthly bills.

However, all of the related UniFi customer premise equipment and peripherals including router/access point, the broadband termination unit (modem) DECT phone and Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) set top box — estimated to be worth RM800 — will continue to be provided by TM free-of-charge.

Imri Mokhtar, Executive Vice-President for Consumer, TM, further emphasised that despite the upcoming installation charges for UniFi from 1 October 2010, consumers who sign up before the date will not be levied with the fee even if their installation takes place after the date.

“As our promotional period for UniFi will end on 30 September 2010, interested customers are encouraged to sign up for their selected UniFi packages soonest possible before the end of September to continue enjoying the current waiver of the installation charges. So grab the chance to become pioneers and enjoy the immense experience change in communications, lifestyle and entertainment brought about by high-speed broadband.”

Imri then elaborated on the tedious and complex installation process required for UniFi: “UniFi installation is very different compared to normal telephony and broadband installation due to the sensitive nature of the technology involved which requires a high degree of accuracy. UniFi is a service provisioned via direct fibre connectivity to the home where the installation process is more complicated and requires a high degree of technical competency. The UniFi installation process involves many elements – a site survey, drilling, ducting, piping, electrical work and equipment reconfiguration. Our specialist installers will be dealing with delicate and fine fibre optic cables, which require a very different handling methodology compared to normal copper cables. Hence, UniFi installation at a particular premise will usually take between 3 – 8 hours.”

UniFi was launched in March this year in selected areas around the Klang Valley. TM’s UniFi service is currently available in 23 areas including Shah Alam, Damansara, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Bangsar, Wangsa Maju, Sungai Buloh, Puchong and Cyberjaya, as well as Putrajaya and Damansara; and 5 areas outside the Klang Valley, located in industrial zones such as Kulim Hi-Tech Park in Kedah, Bayan Baru in Penang, Senai and Permas in Johor. UniFi service rollout has exceeded 500,000 premises passed nationwide. UniFi is being progressively rolled out to cover 48 exchange areas reaching 750,000 premises passed by the end of 2010, and 1.3mil premises passed by the end of 2012.

There are over 9,000 UniFi customers currently and approximately 12,000 applicants have registered their interest in the service.

UniFi is currently being offered via three residential and three business packages. The Residential triple-play packages are VIP5 at RM149 a month, VIP10 at RM199 a month and VIP20 at RM249 a month. Each package comes with voice, high speed Internet and either a basic or premium HyppTV subscription. The businesses packages are BIZ5 at RM199 a month, BIZ10 at RM599 a month and BIZ20 at RM899 a month. Each business package comes with an attractive call plan, high speed Internet and a host of complimentary value added services.

source TM

3 Netbook With Internet Broadband Packages For Students

4107703314 9d94c5334c 3 Netbook With Internet Broadband Packages For Students

Broadband and netbook are must have gears for students nowadays. Choosing the right netbook with broadband package is critical if you have limited budget as usually the packages subscribed tie you to that network for 1 to 2 years. On top of that, the durability of the netbook and consistence performance of the broadband service, are what you’re expecting after spending hundreds buck of hard earned income to get the services.

Sadly, there is not much choice of broadband with netbook package available publicly in the market. Certain higher intuition do provide easy payment scheme to purchase netbook but that’s limited to their student only. Available in the market at this point of time, there are only 3 netbook with internet broadband packages, 1 free broadband service as well as some education program with discounted price for students from certain computer vendors.

1. Streamyx Cool Uni Pack

A broadband with netbook package dedicated ONLY to students, this is an initiative by government with collaboration with Streamyx to ease the ownership or netbook and broadband to students. The package comes with free broadband connection for 2 years with very affordable monthly commitment.

What’s in package : Netbook, WiFi modem, 384kbps Streamyx Broadband for 2 years

Price : RM38 for 2 years

Link : Cool Unipack page

2. Celcom Broadband + Netbook.

This is publicly available netbook/notebook with internet broadband service that open to anyone. As this is profit oriented scheme, the price tag is not as affordable as Unipack package. The are 2 ways how you can get this packages, pay RM88 permonth for 2 years to get the broadband and netbook without needing to pay huge sum upfront. Or secondly, pay RM888 to get the netbook and additional RM58/98 for broadband package for 1 year

What’s in the package : Netbook, Celcom broaband

Price :  RM88 permonth for 2 years or RM888 for netbook and RM58/98 for celcom broadband

Link : Celcom Broadband

3. W1MAX-1NSiDE 4G Laptop

Almost similar as netbook with Celcom broadband package with slightly different technology. The broadband itself is using Wimax technology. And the netbook is Wimax ready, with Wimax chip already embedded into the netbook/notebook so no modem or whatsoever is required. The drawback is Wimax coverage itself which still pretty much limited at this point of time. But if you lived in the area where coverage is available, this is pretty good deal as they do provide free Wimax service between 3 months to 6 months.

What’s inside the package – Netbook or notebook itself

Price – Price is vary, with price starting from RM1349 to 2599

Link : Wimax Inside

4. YTL Education Partner Program (EPP)

This not so widely known program is providing free broadband access to students in UTM Skudai, a collaboration between UTM and YTL Comm. The broadband which run on so called 4G technology (sorry I’m not aware whether it is LTE or Wimax) aim to expand the service through out Malaysian campus by end of 2010. The free is limited to 300MB worth of data permonth, considerably few but still okey for just web browsing and reading email usage. After all, it’s free, right? If you’re interested and students, you can subscribe or reading more of this from the link below

Link : YTL EPP

5. Apple Education Pricing

For those with higher budget, Apple does provide discounted price for their Apple Macbook for students. The discount ranged from RM400 to RM700 and you can’t get the deal from Apple online store only. Check out this page for more info.

6. Other broadband service

Broadband is more affordable than ever nowadays. From wired to wireless, there are variety of packages that suit your needs as well as your budget. Head to ISP such as Streamyx, Jaring and TM for wired broadband or Celcom, Digi, Maxis, U-Mobile for wireless broadband.

7. Acer Education pricing

Honestly, I’m not sure if this program still available right now, but it definitely available in the past. Acer never advertised this program , but if you walk-in to any notebook store selling Acer netbook, there is a chance it might still there.

Unifi Adding 18 More Coverage Areas This July

unifi Unifi Adding 18 More Coverage Areas This July

Well folks, if you live in areas listed below, you should be grateful, now that Unifi has expanded to your areas. By the first of July, you can start subscribing and enjoy the ‘high speed’ broadband that well, better than Streamyx icon smile Unifi Adding 18 More Coverage Areas This July .You could expect the service offered by Unifi to get better as well, with addition of more trained human capital in full time employees and contractors. Hopefully that’s true.

Kulim Hi-Tech Park (Kedah), Bayan Baru (Penang), Senai and Permas (Johor). While residential areas include Wangsa Maju, Sungai Buloh, Melawati, Kepong in Selangor, Cyberjaya and Putrajaya and Damansara in the Federal Territory

Quite surprisingly, only 3200 customer has subscribed to Unifi so far after 3 months in services. The number is considerably low compared to huge amount of total expenditure that TM has spent for the project. IMHO, 3200 customer in 4 areas that well known for the areas where wealthy folks live there, seems to be quite unexpected as the high subscription fee shouldn’t be a problem for them. Probably streamyx is just fine with them..

And for other areas, stay tune and let’s hope Unifi is well received in the soon 22 areas, so the expansion project could be kicking out sooner by TM (encouraged by the sales). More about that on the press release below.

moz screenshot Unifi Adding 18 More Coverage Areas This Julymoz screenshot 1 Unifi Adding 18 More Coverage Areas This July

TM ROLLS OUT UNIFI TO 18 MORE EXCHANGES BY JULY
Expanded coverage includes areas in Penang, Johor and more in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor

More Malaysians will be able to enjoy high-speed broadband (HSBB) services with the continued expansion of Telekom Malaysia Berhad’s (TM) UniFi service coverage, including areas beyond the Klang Valley.

From July 1, UniFi will be available in 18 additional exchanges, after the service was launched in the initial four areas of Shah Alam, Subang Jaya, Bangsar, and Taman Tun Dr. Ismail on March 24.

The new exchange areas that will be available for commercial subscription include both industrial and residential areas. The industrial areas include Kulim Hi-Tech Park (Kedah), Bayan Baru (Penang), Senai and Permas (Johor). While residential areas include Wangsa Maju, Sungai Buloh, Melawati, Kepong in Selangor, Cyberjaya and Putrajaya and Damansara in the Federal Territory.

To date, the UniFi network rollout has reached 375,000 premises passed. There are currently more than 3,200 customers using the UniFi service.

TM’s total expenditure related to the national HSBB project as of 30 April 2010 has reached RM2.3 billion – covering last mile access, IP core deployment and capacity expansion for international links.

When the UniFi service was launched in March 2010, TM had in place 50 service installation teams which has now been ramped up to 140 installation teams to meet growing demand for the service. TM has in place plans to ramp this up further as more exchange areas become available for service subscription.

TM has also invested heavily in human capital development, with about 16,500 employees and 2,500 contractors having undergone HSBB-related training.

Signed in September 2008, the RM11.3 billion national HSBB project is a Public-Private-Partnership agreement between TM and the Government of Malaysia to develop next generation high speed broadband infrastructure and services for the nation. By the end of 2012 – in accordance with the completion of the first phase of the rollout as agreed with the Government – the project will have covered approximately 1.3 million premises passed nationwide. These areas, identified as Zone 1, include the Inner Klang Valley, Nusajaya in Iskandar Malaysia, and key industrial sites around the nation.

TM is investing RM8.9 billion into the project while the Government is contributing RM2.4 billion on an incurred claims basis based on project milestones reached by TM.

HSBB promises bandwidth at faster network access speeds (port speed) of 10Mbps and above, exceeding the current fastest available Broadband for the General Public (BBGP) speeds of 4Mbps offered by TM’s existing Streamyx service. HSBB also targets superior end-to-end network performance, including international bandwidth.

TM’s Broadband Netbook Package From RM38 Permonth

broadband netbook rm30 TMs Broadband Netbook Package From RM38 Permonth

I’m not sure how I miss this promotion. It started a week ago according to a friend of mine who make me aware of this.

Hold your horse before you’re getting too excited as this offer is only eligible to families with total household income less than RM5000 (city) and RM3000 (rural). Beside TM which provide 200,000 unit of  free netbook for this program, there are 4 other companies to follow the suit.

There are 2 type of netbooks available with each tied to 24 months contract, and lucky us this table summarize the whole payment and subscription fee structure.

Access Speeds Streamyx + Komputer 1Malaysia netbook (For the 1st 24 months and beyond) (RM) Streamyx + HP Netbook (RM)
1st 24 months From the 25th month onwards
384Kbps 38 59 38
512Kbps 53 74 53
1Mbps 68 89 68
2Mbps 83 104 83
4Mbps 88 109 88

source: Malaysia Wireless

You should really go through the FAQ and Term & Condition pages to understand everything before you commit to this program, but here are some essential information you should know.

  • Free WiFi Modem
  • Free Netbook Delivery
  • No Activation Fee (save RM75)
  • No Installation Fee (save RM88)
  • 50% Discount for first month subscription
  • Additional charge for new customer without TM fixed lie
    • Service Deposit – RM75
    • Duty Stamp RM10
    • Internal Wiring RM30 – RM50(first 5 meter) and RM/5 for additional
  • No additional charge for existing TM fixed line
  • Contract Period 24 months
  • RM600 administration fee for early termination
  • Netbook provided by HP (most likely HP Mini 210) or NadiAyu (shown below)

komputer1malaysia 2 TMs Broadband Netbook Package From RM38 Permonth

My Take.

The broadband with netbook package is indeed very good. It is  common that the excuse behind not subscribing to broadband service is because they can’t afford to buy computer (but they can afford LCD TV 32″). Now the broadband comes with netbook and I don’t see any reason why one still without internet connection at home.

I also have some concern with 1Malaysia netbook build quality, but hopefully the company behind it strive the best to serve the customer.  Even notebook from reputable company tend to broke down after the warranty end. To most people who subscribe to this package, this might be their first computer and it could be mishandled in any ways.

384 kbps speed is just enough to surf the net, but it could be little to slow to view videos or pages with high multimedia element.