Meshio.com

While 3G has got a long way to start reaching the mainstream audience, I’ve just done a quick survey on the latest plans available to the consumers. By the way, I am still on GPRS.

Let’s start dissecting TM Group’s subsidiary- Celcom.

Celcom’s Plan

Package 1 (Heavy Users):
- Unlimited 3G Internet Browsing
- 30 minutes FREE Video Calls
- All for RM150 per month

Package 2 (Light Users):
- FREE 3MB 3G Internet Browsing
- 30 minutes FREE Video Calls
- All for RM50 per month

Package 3 (Occasional Users):
- Only pay for what you use
- No monthly fee

Charging Details:

- Video Call rates at 90sen/min, 24 hours a day
- 3G Internet Browsing at 15sen/10KB (That’s RM 15.00 for 1 MegaBytes, which means to download an average MP3 file using 3G, it’s going to cost you around RM 60.00 for a 4 MegaBytes file. Not cheap.
- Customers need to sign up for any Celcom Minutes postpaid plan first, in order to sign up for any of these Celcom 3G plans
- Terms and conditions apply.

Maxis’s Plan
More Malaysian chooses Maxis? Let’s see how their 3G Plans fare. Unlike Celcom, Maxis don’t seem to segregate their users to Heavy, Light or Occasional, which means, like it or not, you only have one price plan.

To start using GPRS with Maxis, you will need to fork out RM 1, 599.00 for the Connectivity Card and RM 149.00 monthly.

Early Bird Promotion

Sign up for a Maxis3G Connect card package between 18 April to 17 June 2005 to be eligible for our promotion – pay a reduced monthly fee of RM120 until December 2005.

To enjoy Maxis3G Connect, you will need to sign up on Enhanced Mobile Data plan (No access fee). This is a data only rate plan, where voice calls will not be available. There is a refundable deposit required:

* RM100 (for Malaysians)

* RM1,300 (for Non-Malaysian)

Digi’s Plan (EDGE)
Digi is still riding on the ‘EDGE’. It’s a plan that they’ve launched since 2004.

Postpaid Package 1: Pay-As-You-Use Plan
RM 0.10 per 10Kb, and FREE Usage after RM 199.00 of data usage within the same month. Which insane dude would use that much by the way?

Postpaid Package 2: Unlimited Plan
Flat Rate of RM 99.00 per month

Prepaid Package 1: Pay-As-You-Use Plan
RM 0.10 per 10Kb, and FREE Usage after RM 199.00 of data usage within the same month.

I don’t see myself adopting the technology anytime soon as the price to pay for such mobility is a bit too much. The quality of service is also questionable, a lesson we learnt very well in the early days of GPRS roll outs, but if there’s anything I would bank on, it will be DIGI’s next plan in providing wireless connectivity at a price the average Joe can afford. And THEN, we will see the others follow suit. That has always been the case with the price war strategies among these telcos.

Well, DIGI, it’s your move!

• Towing Charges Up by 50%
• Bank's Best Friend- Credit Card
• CCDMA is LIVE!
• Birthday Goodies
• 70% of Pensioners Receiving less than RM 500 Monthly
• Citibank says Hold to Islamic Subsidiary
• Great Eastern's GreatLife International Scholar
• The Overlooked Factor in Retirement