When we went on a road test to Penang earlier on, Yes 4G coverage on the North South highway wasn’t really as covered as we would expected. The speeds were great at areas with coverage but the lack of coverage makes it a tough choice if you require seamless connectivity on your trip up north.

With Chinese New Year around the corner, most people will be traveling back to their respective home towns outside the Klang Valley. Now Yes has proudly announced that North South highway is now powered by Yes 4G. This makes long journeys more entertaining provided that their coverage is truly seamless throughout the route.

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	Players on the Field, Yes
	4g, 4g wimax, CNY, melaka, melaka wimax, WiMAX, wimax coverage, Yes, yes 4g, yes 4g coverage, yes coverage, yes malaysia, yes ytl, ytl comms, YTL WiMAX, ytl wimax coverage, YTL yes

P1 has started the new year with a revamp of its fixed broadband packages for home and business users. Previously they had 3 home and 2 business plans with speed offerings between 400kbps to 2.4Mbps but now they have bumped their highest Pro plan with 4.8Mbps download speed.

To make it simple, P1 no longer offer separate plans for business or home users so there’s only 3 plans to choose from right now – Lite with 400kbps, Plus with 1.2Mbps and Pro with 4.8Mbps. This also means that they have stopped offering unlimited plans which was previously exclusively for business users.

The Lite and Plus plan remains unchanged as it maintains the same speed, quota and monthly subscription. However with the new rates, existing Plus users are clearly enticed to get 4X the download speed with 10GB additional quota for a mere RM40. That’s only RM4/GB for additional quota for those who exceed their typical 20GB quota for Home Plus plan.

Earlier on, P1′s Pro plan was originally priced at RM199/month for 2.4Mbps download speeds at 40GB quota a month. Probably knowing that this is too much for a wireless broadband service, they later reduced the subscription fee to RM139/month while reducing the quota to 30GB a month.

With the latest revision, Pro users get to enjoy much higher download speeds but like any other wireless services, it all depends on the network congestion of your area. We hope that P1 is ready to deliver 4.8Mbps download speeds to avoid situation of over-promising like its P1 W1GGY some time ago.

The offer is also made sweeter as P1 is giving all plans additional 50% off for the 2nd and 3rd month subscription, which is basically 1 month worth of savings. For more information, head to P1′s broadband promo page.

	P1, Players on the Field
	4g, 4g wimax, P1, P1 4G, P1 Broadband, P1 Broadband Plans, P1 Plans, P1 w1max, P1 WiMAX, WiMAX

Samsung has also introduced another new member into the Galaxy family with the Samsung Infuse 4G. This is a HSPA+ smart phone that’s tied to AT&T which features a 1.2GHz processor and a massive 4.5″ screen. The screen size puts it between the likes of Desire HD/Evo and the Dell Streak. At time of announcement, it runs on Android 2.2 Froyo with the usual TouchWiz skin you’ll probably get from the Samsung Galaxy S. There isn’t much details revealed. Even the back of the device is not revealed yet as it is still yet to be confirmed.

What’s new is that the Infuse 4G’s screen is using Super AMOLED Plus which Samsung claims as an improvement over Super AMOLED displays. From some explanation we saw, Samsung increase the sub-pixel count by 50%, which is 12 sub-pixels instead of 8 to make a screen much more visible under day light conditions. As a result, text and images should look more crisp while maintaining its vibrant colour. We can’t wait to see such display for ourselves as Super AMOLED on the Galaxy S looks awesome already.

[ SOURCE ]

	Android, Mobile Devices, Mobile OS, Samsung
	4g, Android, AT&T, CES, HSPA, Samsung, Samsung Infuse 4G, Super AMOLED Plus

Yesterday P1 launched the MF230 its very own MiFi device making it the sixth operator to offer portable hotspot in Malaysia, despite being the first to indicate that it will be launching a MiFi.

So now that we have a selection of MiFi from virtually all of the mobile operators in Malaysia, 3G and 4G, the inevitable question in consumers’ minds would be, which operator provides the best offering? Well we’ve taken out all the guesswork for you and compare all the MiFi plans available in the market based on device pricing and subscription costs over 12 and 24 months. Going a step further, we’ve also taken consideration of each operators respective bundled rebates, discounts and upfront costs.

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	Celcom, DiGi, Maxis, Mobile Devices, P1, P1, Players on the Field, U Mobile, Yes
	3G MiFi, 4g, 4G MiFi, 4g wimax, Celcom, Celcom Mifi, DiGi, DiGi MiFi, Huawei MiFi, Maxis, Maxis MiFi, mifi, P1, P1 4G, P1 MiFi, U Mobile

Yes says they deliver a mobile 4G experience. With this notion in mind, took our Yes Go on a road test in KL and we’ve taken it on a road test in PJ.

From our findings, both tests produced consistent results. The Yes network is indeed capable of delivering mobile data services but there are several gaps in its coverage that we hope Yes can cover quickly to deliver true seamless mobility broadband. Having said that and considering the fact that Yes is a new network, we were mightily impressed by the extent of the network coverage so far as well as the speeds that we were able to achieve during the previous two road tests.

So things are looking peachy for this new network but we’ll have to keep reminding you this is still a new network with a relatively smaller load on it compared to the more established players. We’ve heard so many times before that Malaysians don’t mind paying for their Internet so long as it is consistent and reliable. This looks to be an opportunity in which YTL can capitalise on. There is no secret formula to being a successful Internet service provider, all they need to deliver is consistency.

As we’ve been enjoying very good speeds on the Yes network, we hope Yes is able to keep this speed consistent even as the network gets loaded up with subscribers. If they can, then there’s really nothing to hold Yes back in winning the hearts and wallets of Malaysians.

So back to our topic of discussion. We’ve shared with you our findings on the performance — both in terms of mobility and speed — of the Yes network in certain areas in the Klang Valley, the question now is how does Yes perform outside Klang Valley?

It’s common sense for telcos to focus the bulk of their network resource towards market centres and high densitiy areas. This means more that often than not, outlying rural areas are not as well covered as it should be. At launch Yes boasts a population coverage of 65% deploying over 1,000 base stations throughout the country. This is more than its current 4G competitor P1 which currently claim around 40% population coverage with under 900 base stations currently being deployed.

All this is fine and dandy but right now what we want to know is where exactly in the populated areas is the 65% coverage focused on. Can Yes deliver consistent connectivity outside city centres? How is the network performance in areas outside of KL?

To find out, we took our trusty Yes Go along with USB modems and SIMs from DiGi, Maxis and U Mobile and hit the road up north to Penang for a mega road test shootout. On the way, we also wanted to find out if the Yes network has indeed got most of the North-South expressway covered.

Initially their map showed coverage blanketing most parts of the highway however a day before our trip, we found out that the map has been “updated” revealing a completely different coverage map with much less areas covered. This got us contemplating if we should carry on with the test as it looks like there is no coverage on our route, but with the understanding that sometimes coverage maps can be inaccurate, we continued with the test anyway.

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	Players on the Field, Product review, Technologies, WiMAX, Yes
	4g, 4g wimax, ipoh, penang, WiMAX, Yes, yes 4g, yes 4g ipoh, yes 4g penang, yes 4g performance, yes 4g plans, yes 4g review, yes 4g roadtest, yes 4g speedtest, yes 4g usb modem, yes go, yes launch, yes malaysia, yes usb modem, yes ytl, ytl comms, YTL WiMAX, YTL yes

Having tested the Yes Go’s mobility performance around Kuala Lumpur and discovering that the Yes network is indeed mobile delivering rather good performance, we decided to go a step further by taking the Yes Go to various parts of Petaling Jaya and Subang as well.

We wanted to find out if the Yes network can deliver consistent speeds and throughput performance outside of KL. We tested the Yes Go USB dongle on two routes, one along the New Pantai Expressway and the other along Federal Highway.

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	Players on the Field, Product review, Technologies, WiMAX, Yes
	4g, 4g wimax, Federal Highway, New Pantai Expressway, WiMAX, Yes, yes 4g, yes 4g performance, yes 4g plans, yes 4g review, yes 4g roadtest, yes 4g speedtest, yes 4g usb modem, yes go, yes launch, yes malaysia, yes usb modem, yes ytl, ytl comms, YTL WiMAX, YTL yes

We are heading up north to Penang to test the performance of the Yes 4G network outside of KL. We will be updating our twitter feed regularly along the way.

We’ve reached Ipoh and so far we found the coverage along the North-South highway from KL is patchy. We managed to get connectivity, albeit intermittent, up to the 404KM marker of the North-South highway. Where there’s coverage, the speed is generally better compared to 3G operators. Considering that Yes is a new network, we can see from our road test that Yes has better data coverage along the highway  compared to the more established 3G networks like U Mobile and in some instances DiGi. Look out for our full report coming soon.

For regular updates on our trip to Penang, follow us on twitter at @Soya_Cincau to find out how Yes compares with other 3G operators on the road.

Previous Yes Performance Tests
Yes 4G KL Road Test
Yes 4G Dongle First impressions and initial tests

	Players on the Field, Product review, Technologies, WiMAX, Yes
	4g, 4g wimax, WiMAX, Yes, yes 4g, yes 4g performance, yes 4g plans, yes 4g review, yes 4g roadtest, yes 4g speedtest, yes 4g usb modem, yes go, yes launch, yes malaysia, yes usb modem, yes ytl, ytl comms, YTL WiMAX, YTL yes

Last week, we’ve taken a look at Yes 4G Network coverage areas in the Peninsular which covers most of the west coast. During our initial visit to their coverage maps, the coverage info wasn’t clear as there was a mix of dark and light shades of grey. It was also discovered that major state capitals on the east coast were not covered despite having grey shades blanketing the city.

Just recently, @yes4g had mentioned on twitter that the maps have been revised with cyan colour indicating current coverage available with grey as upcoming coverage plots.

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	Players on the Field, Technologies, WiMAX, Yes
	4g, 4g wimax, melaka, melaka wimax, WiMAX, wimax coverage, Yes, yes 4g, yes 4g coverage, yes coverage, yes malaysia, yes ytl, ytl comms, YTL WiMAX, ytl wimax coverage, YTL yes

As we all know, Yes had a shaky start during launch. While rectification works are underway, Yes is giving out 10GB of free data for customers who sign-up for Yes before December 19.

The free usage offer is only applicable for data so calls and SMS made will still be chargeable at RM0.09/SMS or a minute of call.

In addition, Yes has extended the activation deadline for those who have pre-registered for a Yes ID and a 018 number to December 12.

Despite having issues in the beginning, such positive gesture is welcomed and it is the right step forward in handling its challenges faced. We can see that Yes is genuine about delivering Internet for all.

Assuming that Yes now have 15,000 subscribers, and that the data charge is set at the maximum rebate price of RM0.02 (30% rebate), this free data exercise will cost Yes a whopping RM3.15 million (RM21/GB X 10 X 15,000).

We’ve recently managed to perform some tests on the Yes 4G network and the results does look very promising. Check out our first impressions and recent KL Test drive post for more information on the performance of the Yes network.

We’re hoping Yes will be able to sort out these issues as soon as possible and kudos to YTL Comms for this free usage move.

Eligibility details below:

For all Yes customers who sign-up before Dec 19 2010:

We offer you complimentary data services, up to 10GB per Yes ID on our network, from the launch day until Dec 19 2010. Data billing will begin on Dec 20 2010. However, charges still apply for our Yes 018 telephony services (voice and SMS).

For all pre-registered customers:

We will also extend the activation deadline until Dec 12 2010. Those activated Yes IDs will be entitled to enjoy complimentary data services until Dec 19 2010 as well.

Full details here.

[ SOURCE ]

	Players on the Field, WiMAX, Yes
	4g, 4g wimax, WiMAX, Yes, yes 4g, yes 4g plans, yes 4g problems, yes malaysia, yes problems, yes ytl, ytl comms, YTL WiMAX, YTL yes

Earlier, we took with the Yes Go USB dongle for a spin and we’ll be the first to admit that we were quite impressed with what the Yes network has to offer. In our stationary tests, we managed 5Mbps downloads and 2Mbps uploads with only two bar reception with the test done on the 17th floor. We know that the network is still new and there’s still very little load on it but even by this measure the speeds that we’re getting are rather impressive for a wireless network.

This was stationary tests but since Yes touts its 4G network as mobile we wanted to know how mobile is mobile. Yes’ closest competitor — P1 — has been in the market for the good part of two years with a claimed population coverage of around 40% and even with a good head start, P1 still can’t claim its network as a mobile network.

How does Yes fare in comparison? First up, Yes already has a lead in terms of coverage with a claimed 65% of the population covered. Next, Yes offers an all-4G mobile phone and a 4G MiFi, two devices P1 doesn’t have in its product arsenal at the moment. Based on this, it seems to us that Yes has their sights set on taking a few chunks of the mobile market from the 3G boys. And so, that will be the bar that we will measure Yes with.

We’re expecting the Yes 4G mobile network to deliver strong and consistent performance in places where 3G would as well as while traveling in between these locations — just like 3G. We will be looking for seamless connectivity and we will also be looking to answer some of the questions that you’ve asked in our comments section. How does the Yes Go and the Yes 4G network handle hand-overs between sites? Does it disconnect when switching base-stations?

Find out the answer to this and more in our road test of the Yes 4G network within Klang Valley.

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	Players on the Field, Product review, Technologies, WiMAX, Yes
	4g, 4g wimax, WiMAX, Yes, yes 4g, yes 4g performance, yes 4g plans, yes 4g review, yes 4g roadtest, yes 4g speedtest, yes 4g usb modem, yes go, yes launch, yes malaysia, yes usb modem, yes ytl, ytl comms, YTL WiMAX, YTL yes