Another update on 4G LTE in Malaysia. The Star reports that majority of the earlier mentioned 9 companies have been informed via fax that they have been allocated the 2.6GHz spectrum for 4G LTE use. This will only take effect on 1st January 2013 which is a long way to go, and time is something that the players need to roll out commercially. As mentioned earlier, the 9 companies are Maxis, DiGi, Celcom, U Mobile, P1, AMAX, YTL, REDtone and a new comer. Each of them will be getting 20MHz block of the spectrum.

2 years should give the players sufficient head start to evaluate vendors, conduct trials and plan out their coverage expansion. By 2013, we should have more 4G LTE devices in the market. Hopefully better than the Samsung Craft, the first 4G LTE phone.

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The Star reports that the Malaysian government is expected to release 9 blocks of spectrum for 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) to 9 players soon.

The 9 companies are believed to be:

• 4 Mobile telcos – Celcom, DiGi, Maxis & U Mobile
• 4 WiMAX operators – AMAX, P1, REDtone & YTL
• a company believed to be linked to Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukary

According to the paper’s source, each player will be getting 20MHz block of 2.5GHz and 2.6GHz spectrum which comprise the 70MHz and 120MHz blocks respectively, or a total of 190MHz.

Awarding 4G LTE to 9 companies is a big number and we wonder based on what merit that the spectrum is given. Looking at WiMAX itself, only half of the awarded operators are in commercial service while U Mobile, the newest mobile telco is still struggling to roll out its own 3G coverage nationwide. With the current scenario, we’re baffled to see them getting LTE spectrum when they can’t get their current 3G or WiMAX service covered properly. According to the report, the spectrum will be given to all so that nobody will be deprived from participating in rolling out 4G LTE. Strangely our very own Telekom Malaysia is not on the list.

Although we love competition, 9 seems to be too much for a country like Malaysia. Just recently Maxis & Celcom had started their own 4G LTE testing with its partners while DiGi says that they will focus on 3G first at the time being. We also wonder, what will happen to the WiMAX operators? Will they abandon WiMAX for LTE in future?

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We heard that AMAX is to re-engineer their WiMAX backhaul connectivity. This might explain the MIA situation of AMAX as their site is no longer accessible.

According to its CEO, Datuk Abdul Ghani Abdullah, TM’s charges metro-E link is more costlier than microwave backhaul therefore prompting their move to switch to microwave. Due to this exercise, AMAX has informed their customers of AMAX’s WiMAX service downtime. Customers will not be billed from 1st May onwards until the re-engineering process is complete.

The CEO also added that AMAX has filed a complaint to MCMC on TM’s high pricing which appears to be trying to kill off broadband competition in the country. He also added that AMAX currently has 2000 customers in the Klang Valley with 15,000 more registered pending coverage expansion.

On the other end of the table, TM has refuted such claims saying that AMAX had initially agreed with the terms set for the connectivity agreement and it is unfair for them to accuse them in this manner. According to TM, they had deliver their obligation however AMAX has failed to honour their obligation when it comes to payment.

Amidst rumours of AMAX going bust, the CEO also denied that AMAX is in trouble. To date, they have 42 people in their workforce. However he did admit that they had to let go of some staff as they we’re slowing down but assures that they are here to stay.

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The report said that all three have failed to achieve the 25 percent targetted market penetration.

Deputy Minister of Information Communication and Culture Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum said from March 2008 to March 2009, the three companies had failed to achieve the target and can be fined.

He added that the government was ready to withdraw the licences of companies that failed to deliver the target, including Asiaspace Sdn Bhd.

So far nothing has happened.

He also said that athough the target has not been met, all four companies have shown an improved performance since March 2009.

We’re not sure what he means by “all four have shown improved performance” because it has been over a year since March 2009 and YTL still have not managed to convince the public that they indeed have a WiMAX network up and running. AMAX and REDtone are not fairing too well either with very limited coverage and a relatively small subscriber base.

But it seems like we’ve heard all this before. Those with long memories will recall that MCMC had alledgedly issued fines to the same operators for the exact same reason. The only difference is that the statement was made October 2009.

In October, 2009 The Star reported that SKMM issued letters on the fines to YTL e-Solutions (RM1.9mil), AsiaSpace (RM1.7mil), REDtone International (RM200,000) for failure to meet the 25% population coverage by the end of March but the operators have all made appeals against the fines.

We’re not sure if much has changed since then and the only WiMAX operator that’s really moving forward is P1; even then we’re seeing them being plagued with a very unstable network.

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We visited the AMAX booth during our PC Fair KL walkabout and saw that they were showcasing something very peculiar.

Some of the promoters were donned with devices that were showing TV content. At first, we thought that it was streaming content but after talking with the promoters, we found out that it was something very, very different.

Asiaspace the owners of AMAX WiMAX is apparently offering on trial basis mobile TV services via DMB or Digital Media Broadcasting – developed in Korea. This is the first time we’re seeing this technology being showcased directly to the Malaysian consumer.

We we’re told by the promoters that the DMB service has all the terrestrial channels like TV1, TV2, TV3, 8TV etc, covered along with some pay-channels included. They however couldn’t give further details on what these pay channels are.

More details and device pictures after the jump.

Asiaspace is offering the service through two devices – one, a mobile phone and the other, a stand-alone mobile TV unit. The viewing quality on the the mobile phone is pretty good but we think the stand-alone device desperately needs a bigger screen, a 3 incher at the very least.

We’re not really sure how Aisaspace is going to market the service via the mobile phone because technically, AMAX is not a mobile operator; but of course they have options, like bundling packages with existing telcos. Marketing the stand-alone device is very much a straight-forward affair.

We’ve tried mobile tv via DVB-H extensively in the form of U Mobile’s now discontinued Mobile LiveTV service. The service was really a boon for commuters and sports fans alike. Based on that, this new DMB mobile TV service looks to be something worth investigating further, especially with the world cup just around the corner.

By the way, have we mentioned that unlike other WiMAX operators, AMAX does not impose data caps on their plans?

Would like to find out what level of performance is the AMAX network offering.

DMB phone showcased at the AMAX WiMAX PC Fair KL booth

The stand-alone DMB device with a screen that's way too small for our liking

So how are our WiMAX operators doing? P1 and AMAX so far are the only operators who published their coverage areas online. Compare the Klang Valley coverage below:

P1 W1MAX Coverage [ SOURCE ]

AMAX WiMAX Coverage [ SOURCE ]

These screenshots are obtained today 4th June 2009. As shown above, P1 has been expanding aggressively in the Klang Valley. Meanwhile AMAX too is also expanding by patches and we can see that there are several new spots  in Cheras updated recently.

P1 is currently the most visible WiMAX player and the coverage availability is quite extensive as shown above. If they keep this up, the 25% target could be achieved by year end.

No coverage details are available for YTL and RedTone at the moment although RedTone has started showing some WiMAX packages recently.

AMAX’s website was one of the worst telco sites we have seen along with Celcom’s flash overdosed website. Recently we just checked AMAX’s website again and we’re relieved that they have finally revamped.

Now it is easier to browse and key product offerings are laid out more properly. Offering wise, it is no different from what we posted previously.

They even include a coverage map powered by Google Maps.  So far there isn’t much change from our last update as well.

However we do noticed something different.

They have postponed their Klang Valley coverage target from end of 2008 to end of 2009 and nationwide coverage to 2011. Things are looking good for AMAX and we commend them for their improvement on their website. Hopefully we would see more things from this WiMAX underdog and put some needed competition in the WiMAX segment.

AMAX, is one of the 4 WiMAX operators in Malaysia which hasn’t been visible in the market. Apparently they are doing low key promotions as opposed to P1 W1MAX aggresive campaigns almost everywhere.

Not many people know what AMAX is, let alone their packages or coverage areas but recently we were given a tip off by a reader with their promotion.

Broadband Packages

A) Single User Package
-1.0Mbps
-USB Modem
-Unlimited Data Usage / Bandwidth
-12 months contract
-RM99/month (RM60/month for students)

B) Multi User Package
-1.5Mbps
-4 Port Router Modem + Free WiFi Router
-Unlimited Data Usage / Bandwidth
-12 months contract
-RM138/month

C) Business Package
-2.0Mbps (1.0Mbps for USB)
-USB Modem + 4 Port Router Modem + Free WiFi Router + External WiMAX Antenna
-Unlimited Data Usage / Bandwidth
-12 months contract
-RM388/month

Bundling Packages

A) HP Mini+ USB Modem Bundle
-HP Mini-1001ITU Netbook
-1.0Mbps
-USB Modem
-Unlimited Data Usage / Bandwidth
-24 months contract
-RM149/month

B) Compaq Presario CQ40 + USB Modem Bundle
-Compaq Presario CQ40 Notebook
-1.0Mbps
-USB Modem
-Unlimited Data Usage / Bandwidth
-24 months contract
-RM169/month

Coverage

AMAX WiMAX Coverage areas has been quite a mystery. However we managed to obtain several coverage plots on google maps as follows:

1) Kelana Jaya 1 (view map)

2) Kelana Jaya 2 (view map)

3) Bandar Puchong Jaya (view map)

4) Technology Park Malaysia, Bukit Jalil (view map)

5) Bandar Sri Petaling (view map)

6) Taman Maluri, Cheras (view map)

7) Subang Jaya (view map)

TTDI (view map)

9) Bukit Anggerik Cheras (view map)

Conclusion

From first impression, AMAX has a wider choice of WiMAX devices/bundles by offering USB, Multi-user 4 port Modem & free WiFi Router for Multi-user/Business plans. This is comparable with P1 which offers only a single LAN based WiMAX modem which isn’t practical for mobile while a multi-user bundle is not available at the moment.  However comparing with our sources, P1 too will be launching their USB WiMAX modem soon but actual launch plans are not clear at the moment.

If you look at the packages, you would also notice that AMAX shouts on unlimited usage / bandwidth for all plans. We don’t see any Fair Use Policy or restrictions on P2P downloads at the moment. Perhaps as it is still new, they would let it free flow and would start imposing usage quota only after a substantial number of subscribers have been reached. This would be an added advantage as we have seen P1 customers claiming that their standard 20GB per month for the 1.2Mbps package is simply not enough.

On the coverage, AMAX has yet to prove themselves as they have been very quiet and nobody knows them yet. There is hardly any visibility of AMAX in the areas and they should launch an all out awareness campaign like P1 in order to get more subscribers.

In the other hand, we would also urged AMAX to look into their website as it is just useless in giving out information on their current offerings and coverage areas. Even some pages are not linked properly and the flash is just annoying to browse. Under coverage area, it still states that AMAX aims to cover the entire Klang Valley by 2008. AMAX, if you are reading this, your website is seriously needing a revamp. As a wireless broadband provider, you can’t afford not to have a proper website that keeps your potential customers well informed on your products and services.

For those who are seeking for a true mobile WiMAX connection, AMAX would be just for you with their RM99 USB Modem package. However the weakness is on their coverage areas which isn’t that extensive as P1. At the same time, students can enjoy a cheaper rate of only RM60/month which makes this the most affordable mobile WiMAX package in Malaysia for a 1.0Mbps connection with unlimited usage.

[ Source ]

Related Links:
AMAX Official Website