Streamyx Combo

It's been 2 months since my last post here. The reason? Simply no internet connectivity at home. I used to have the Celcom 3G but I terminate it since May due to lack of coverage here in Semenyih. Plus I'm staying here for good so there is no need for me to have the internet connection wherever I go (I do now realize I can't browse while driving :P)

While looking for ISP alternative, I decided to choose Streamyx. Despite the bad reputation that the Streamyx user stamp on this ISP, I still want to give it a try. I thought of the cable broadband is much reliable compared to mobile broadband. Well it is confirm much more reliable (compared to Celcom 3G).

While researching on Streamyx service, I decided to get the Streamyx Combo 1MB plan (I want the 4MB plan but there is no coverage here in Semenyih - greedy). I thought it would be smarter to ditch the phone line monthly rental but later it just saved up a few ringgit. But with petrol price ridiculously high, every cent counts.

The detail comparison between normal Streamyx & Streamyx Combo package as follow:

	384Kbps with modem		512Kbps with modem		1Mbps with modem		2Mbps with modem		4Mbps with modem
	Normal	Combo	Normal	Combo	Normal	Combo	Normal	Combo	Normal	Combo
Streamyx subscription fee	RM45	RM60	RM77	RM90	RM99	RM110	RM188	RM140	RM268	RM160
Phone line monthly rental	RM26	Free	RM26	Free	RM26	Free	RM26	Free	RM26	Free
Monthly bill pay to TM	RM71	RM60	RM103	RM90	RM125	RM110	RM214	RM140	RM	RM160
Monthly bill saving	RM11		RM13		RM15		RM74		RM134

Previously I don't have fixed line phone service at Semenyih but I have it at my old house, so I need to transfer the line and bare the charges:

Streamyx activation fee = RM75
Streamyx installation fee (optional) = RM88 (I simply use the self installed & collect the modem myself)
Home fixed line new wiring fee (less than 5m) = RM50

If I'm going to subscribe a new fixed line phone, I will need to add up:

Home fixed line Initial Deposit = RM75
Home fixed line activation fee = RM50
Home fixed line stamp duty = RM10

The voice call rates remain the same for all packages.

The package is good if you're a new Streamyx customer. For the existing normal Streamyx customer you still need to pay the Streamyx activation fee (RM 75) Ouch.....

Maxis Broadband

I tagged along with Azwa to Maxis building to get her phone number back. Her phone were stolen on Deepavali eve at Mid Valley shopping complex. Poor thing.

Anyway I manage to get a clear pricing on Maxis Broadband

Starter
- 384 kbps
- RM 68/month

Advance
- 640 kbps
- RM 78/month

Power
- Up to 3.6 mbps
- RM 98

Their one-time charges include:
- Activation - RM 100
- Installation - RM 88 (not applicable for self-installation)
- Deposit - RM 100 (waived)
- Registration - RM 50 (waived)

Maxis Power package look attractive, just RM98 compared to RM120 from Celcom package. And no cost on modem itself. But bare in mind you have to sign in 18-month contract period. But this is the best price you can get compared to other wireless broadband services out there. You decide.

Configuring D-Link 3G Mobile Wireless Routers

The startup configuration is properly documented in CD and the user manual. You can change the administrator password or the user name, monitor the status and much more. The only problem that I encountered is the information for my Celcom 3G broadband ISP setting. Without this information, I can't get into the internet. So here is the solution:

Before I start, D-Link 3G router has specific ISP card driver option to choose from:

• UMTS - Far Eastern Telecom - Option GT 3G Quad
• UMTS - O2 - Option GT 3G Quad
• UMTS - Vibo Telecom - ZTE MF320
• UMTS - Orangenet - Option Wireless GT Quad
• UMTS - Vodafone - Option Wireless GT Quad
• UMTS - Taiwan Mobile - Novatel Mireless (Wireless) Merlin U530
• UMTS - Chunghwa Telecom - Huawei E612
• UMTS - Telkomsel - Option GT 3G Quad
• UMTS - Exelcom - Option GT 3G Quad
• UMTS - Celcom - Option GT 3G Quad
• UMTS - Maxis - Option GT 3G
• HSDPA - Cingular - Sierra Wireless AirCard 860
• HSDPA - Cingular - Novatel Wireless Merlin U730
• HSDPA - Cingular - Sierra Wireless AirCard 875
• HSDPA - Italy - Sierra Wireless AirCard 865
• HSDPA - Optimus - Novatel Wireless Merlin U740
• HSDPA - T-Mobile - Option GT 3G+ / Fusion+
• HSDPA - Exelcom - Huawei E600 / E620
• HSDPA - Exelcom - Huawei E220 (USB)
• HSDPA - Exelcom - Option GT Max
• HSDPA - Maxis - Huawei E620
• HSDPA - Maxis - Motorola Phone RAZRV3xx (USB)
• HSDPA - Singtel - Huawei E620
• HSDPA - Singtel - Sierra Wireless AirCard 850
• HSDPA - Singtel - Option GT Fusion+ EMEA
• HSDPA - M1 - Vodafone GT MAX GX0201
• HSDPA - M1 - Vodafone Huawei E620
• HSDPA - M1 - Vodafone Huawei E220 (USB)
• HSDPA - Celcom - Huawei E600 / E620
• HSDPA - Celcom - Huawei E220 (USB)
• HSDPA - Globe - Vodafone Huawei E620
• HSDPA - Globe - Vodafone Huawei E220 (USB)
• HSDPA - PowerGrid - Huawei E620
• HSDPA - Vodacom - Huawei E220
• HSDPA - Vodacom - Huawei E620
• HSDPA - MTN - Huawei E220
• HSDPA - MTN - Huawei E620
• HSDPA - Taiwan - Option GT 7.2 Ready
• HSDPA - Taiwan - BandLuxe C100
• HSDPA - Hong Kong - Novatel Wireless Merlin XU870
• HSDPA - Hong Kong - Huawei E220(USB)
• HSDPA - Hong Kong - Option GT 3G+
• HSDPA - Hong Kong - Option GT MAX
• HSDPA - Egypt - E220 etisalat USB

So before you buy the router, make sure your 3G modem or data card driver is available.

Go to manual internet connection options and click "Manual Configure". You will see the following form.

At first I thought I just need to select my 3G ISP name (Celcom). So I tried both UMTS - Celcom - Option GT 3G Quad and HSDPA - Celcom - Huawei E600 / E620 but no connection detected. So I look back at the box and I noticed that the actual name is Novotell Wireless Merlin U530. So I choose UMTS - Taiwan Mobile - Novatel Mireless Merlin U530 on ISP - Card option. You can leave the rest of the form blank except:

- Dial Number : *99***1#
- APN : internet
- Keep-alive Interval : (your choice mine is 60 seconds)

Save the configuration and click to Status menu. You will find that your WAN is now connected. The internet is now ready, try it.

3G Network Connected to D-Link Mobile Broadband Router

Yesterday I went to Low Yatt and decided to subscribe Celcom 3G service. I've visited a few wireless broadband like Maxis 3G broadband and Izzi 4G broadband but none of the service suits my need. I need a 3G service that can reach as far as Semenyih with no restriction on yearly contract. The Maxis marketing representative mumbling something at their booth which I can't understand a word so I just walk to Izzi booth and waited there. Like Apek in EJen 016 said... I wait forever. So moving on to the last broadband booth, Celcom.

Currently Celcom Broadband offering 3 type of subscription;

• Daily Unlimited
  - RM8/24hours
  - Up to 384 kbps
  
  
• Monthly Unlimited Basic
  - RM68/month
  - Up to 384 kbps
  
  
• Monthy Unlimited Advance
  - RM 120/month
  - Up to 3.6 Mbps
  

Here is the catch, for a start you need to buy the 3G modem. There are 3 type of modem; USB, XpressCard and PCMCIA card. The USB modem, the one that showed in TV commercial, priced at RM1200. As for the XpressCard, there are 3 types to choose with prices RM899 to RM999. And for the PCMCIA type there are 2 prices RM399 & RM499. The prices differ merely because of the brand. The one carrying Vodafone brand are much higher.

Now I'm in delima. My home notebook uses XpressCard, my office notebook uses PCMCIA. To eliminate this differences, I can simply pick the USB modem. But the price is too much for me. So I choose the cheapest option of all - the RM 399 PCMCIA modem card.

Now I need to find either a PCMCIA adapater to USB or a 3G router to stay connected between this 2 notebooks. I looked for the adapter first but no luck. Even Sri Computer don't have it. So the only option left is the 3G router. Currently the only 3G router available in Low Yatt is the D-Link 3G Mobile Broadband Router and priced about RM599 (your bargain skill might come handy here).

So the total cost of having a 3G broadband at all my home is around RM970. Huhuhu that too much for me already. So I'm thinking on how to get back my investment? Since I have the wireless router, maybe I could open-up the internet access to my neighbor. Is it legal?

Malaysia Broadband ISP

How do you browse, if I may ask? Did you subscribe a broadband service from your local ISP? Nowadays you barely can surf with 56kb dial up connection, considering if you are one of the YouTube, P2P services junkie.

Currently I'm using an ASDL from my office and dial up from my home. I'm seriously considering to upgrade my internet service for my home usage, so I dig around. Here is some information about ISP in Malaysia with broadband services:

1. TMnet Streamyx - Wired
   
2. Jaring Broadband Wired/Wireless - Wired/Wireless
   
3. Time Broadband - Various
   
4. Airzed WiMax - Wireless
   
5. DiGi Mobile Broadband - Wireless
   
6. Nasion 1 Wireless Broadband - Wireless
   
7. Maxis Wireless Broadband - Wireless
   
8. Maxis 3G - 3G
   
9. Celcom 3G - 3G
   
10. Smart Ku-Band - Satellite
    
11. Smart C-Band - Satellite
    
12. EB Technologies MyWave24 - Wireless/Wired
    
13. PenangFon - Wired
    
14. AtlasOne - Wireless
    
15. MyKris - Wireless
    
16. ZapZone - Wireless
    
17. GoLightSpeed - Wireless

Wow that much? Currently TMNet taking the most share on the Malaysia broadband pie. The problem with TMNet ADSL broadband services is that you wont get the speed that you subscribed. Look carefully to their terms, TMNet's broadband speed is based on best effort and factors such as; Quality of the copper cable (Yup we still use copper), distance from the supporting TM exchange, weather, electromagnetic effects, PC performance, Internet traffic during the period, and the website that you visit. Recently TMNet caught the copper line thieves which is turn to be their own supplier. Sigh... Coincident?

All and all I just hope the Malaysia's broadband service and penetration should be improved by widening the service using microwave (WiMax) or using Power Line Communication (PLC) technology in near future.