Happy payable thru Maybank2u, now available in Sabah!
Happy, a no-frills prepaid on DiGi’s network has finally introduced direct debit payment thru Maybank2u. Previously Happy accepts only credit card transactions which limits its online subscription audience. Currently, it is estimated that there are 2.7 million credit card holders in Malaysia which is equivalent to only 10% of the population. With this new payment channel, we believe they are now capable to acquiring a larger subscriber base.
At the same time, Happy has also spread its wings about a week ago to Sabah! It was reported that they have been organising roadshows at strategic locations in Kota Kinabalu. As MNP is drawing near, it is obvious that Happy needs to spread its presence around Malaysia in other to secure its footprint in the prepaid segment.
Maxis launches Hotlink 365
For the first time in Malaysia, you can choose to keep your number active for 365 days for only RM33. To remain active, just top up a total of RM30 within the first 6 months. Now you don’t have to worry about being cut off, even when you have credit balance. – Hotlink
Looks like the prepaid wars is heating up.
Today Maxis launched a new prepaid plan called the Hotlink 365 and with it Maxis hopes to enlarge it 8 million customer base through an unprecedented 365 days validity period – a first for Malaysia.
Though this extended validity comes with a price – a yearly fee of RM33 and customers have to top up a minimum of RM30 within the first 6 months.
With the pathetic validity periods devised by our local telcos to force subscribers to top up more so that they can drive revenue number up, this looks like a positive turn of events but we want to dig in deeper and see if this Hotlink 365 plan is really what it seems. So stay tuned.
By the way, thanks for the announcement Maxis but this is not the one we are all hoping to hear
Maxis COO joins Telenor Pakistan as CEO
The Star reports Maxis Chief Operating Officer (COO) Eddy Jon Abdullah has been appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Telenor Pakistan. Jon Abdullah will succeed Tore Johnsen starting from August 15. Johnsen is CEO of Telenor Pakistan from its inception in 2004.
Jon Abdullah has more than 15 years in the industry previously operating as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) in DiGi before joining Maxis.
Following this announcement, our sister blog iphone3gformalaysia.com thinks that the Maxis sub-RM1k iPhone 3G rumour appears to be on shaky ground.
U Mobile New Postpaid: U38, U68 & U98
Along with their U Mobile 018 Prepaid, U Mobile has introduced 3 new postpaid plans earlier this month, namely U38, U68 & U98. U38 is not an entirely new product as it was launched several months earlier as U Mobile’s first postpaid commercial offering in April.
Since U Mobile is pushing on their per second billing, U38 was revised from having 15 seconds block to 1 second block and reduced their off net rate slightly from 28 sen/minute to 24 sen/minute (0.4 sen/sec).
Maxis to offer iPhone 3G under RM1000?
A little bean has informed us that the Malaysian Insider reported that Maxis will offer iPhone 3G in Malaysia at a competitive price below RM1K. We are unable to verify if this true at the moment and there are no further details on the contract period, plan offers & content bundling.
Anyway, don’t forget to check out www.iphone3gformalaysia.com and show your support for an iPhone 3G in Malaysia.
Links
iPhone 3G Hits US market today
DiGi New Postpaid: DG20, DG50, DG150 & DG250
As mentioned earlier, Digi is shaking up the postpaid market with its new 4 postpaid plans. 
The plan names of DG 20, DG 50, DG 150 & DG 250 may look like it represents the monthly commitment usage but it is actually different for the case of DG 20 & DG 250. DG 20 & DG 250 is actually monthly subscription based plans which is similar to monthly access fee.
iPhone 3G for Malaysia
You know you want it. Be heard and let’s get them rolling.
SoyaCincau is attempting to gather support of each and everyone of you to voice out your call to have iPhone 3G to be made officially available in Malaysia. With our close neighbours such as Singapore & Philippines offering iPhone 3G, there is no excuse why Malaysians should be left out.
Check out www.iphone3gformalaysia.com and show your support! Sokonglah iPhone 3G untuk Negara!
DiGi to introduce 4 new plans?
Shortly after the release of U Mobile’s new postpaid plans (U38, U68 & U98), DiGi is about to introduce some exciting new postpaid plans. From what was reported on NTV7 tonight, it seems that there would be 4 plans which one of which we believe is offering FREE domestic calls.
We would like to link the NTV7 report of DiGi’s new postpaid plans here but NTV7 site is in a revamp process for their 10th anniversary.
Check back here again for details.
Links
DiGi Postpaid: DG20, DG50, DG150 & DG250
U Mobile 018 Prepaid
U Mobile's new Korean CEO telling you to Call the Shots
Nearly a year after U Mobile was made public, they are creating new waves with their new “Call the Shots” campaign. This time, U Mobile is proving that they mean business by introducing several new plans that caters to customer need.
One which was certainly to look forward to is U Mobile’s prepaid offering. It is no doubt that prepaid subscribers made up for the biggest chunk of the mobile subscribers and let’s take a look at what U Mobile has to offer.
Maxis Down in Sabah
Update 3rd July 2008: Maxis Service in Sabah is reported to be back to normal since this morning.
Since Monday, Maxis subscribers in Sabah were caught with a surprise when their phone starts showing No Network or Emergency Calls only. This leaves Sabah Maxis subscribers disconnected causing frustration and inconvenience for several days now.