P1‘s WiMAX network has had somewhat of an unfortunate reputation of late. Plagued by persistent outages overly, congested networks and poor coverage inside of buildings, Malaysia’s leading WiMAX operator is strugling to deliver a consistently stable network.

Somewhat admitting that it’s subsidiary is having network stability issues, P1′s parent company, Green Packet announced that it aims to enhance network stability considerably by the third quarter of this year. A report in TheEdge states that Green Packet aims to reduce continuity incidences to below 5% by the third quarter of this year and below 2% in 2011.

The numbers may seem low, but the report didn’t state what is the benchmark for “continuity incidences” of a comparable wireless network. More importantly, the report didn’t indicate what is the state of P1′s WiMAX network currently. Specifically, we would like to know what is the percentage of “continuity incidences” right now.

In any case, Green Packet is currently undertaking a review of P1′s WiMAX network to look at how they can address both the building coverage and network capacity issues that’s tarnishing P1′s and WiMAX’s image as worthy successor to current 3G technologies.

Even Green Packet’s CEO, CC Puan, admits that congestion is the main problem with P1′s network right now. And depending on how you look at it, that may be a good problem to have but a problem is still a problem; and if its not fixed as soon as possible, a good problem can quickly turn into a very nasty one.

In the report, CC Puan goes on to say that the time was ripe for Green Packet to undergo a comprehensive technical review of P1′s networks as its subscriber base was large enough to “stress test” the improvements implemented and yet be small enough that whatever work that’s being done on the network would have a minimal to no negative impact on customer service and quality.

We don’t know about what CC Puan means by “minimal to no negative impact on customer service and quality“, all we can say is that everytime there is a network upgrade or even a network maintenance exercise going on in the P1 W1MAX network, subscribers’ connectivity are almost certainly affected.

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P1‘s parent company, Greenpacket, unveiled its new range of budget WiMAX Indoor VoIP EX-series modems at the WiMAX Forum Congress Asia in Taipei.

The EX can be used in 2.3, 2.5 and 3.5Ghz WiMAX networks and has everything that will make any budget WiMAX modem proud including a high gain omni directional antenna and VOIP support. There’s no built-in WiFI though but that is the least of our worries.

What we’re concerned about is the look of the device. Just look at it. Nothing says fugly more than a overly boxy design with sharp edges and duldrum colours.

4G connectivity, never looked so bad.

No word on wherether P1 will be offering this to the Malaysian market.

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The Star reports Green Packet is looking to make good progress this year with more jobs and a bigger WiMAX subscriber base in the midst.

To start of the year Green Packet announce a HKD3million deal with Hong Kong’s PCCW Group to provide customised product solutions. Although this is a relatively small amount for the industry, Green Packet sees the deal as a giant leap forward towards making inroads into Hong Kong.

Green Packet group managing director Puan Chan Cheong expects the company to clinch more contracts in the first quarter of this year. He is also confident over the growth of subscriber base for its WiMAX solutions.

“Our 5-year plan is going as scheduled. We got out there, set up our base stations and provided the WiMAX service. We kept our promise and the results will start to show,” says Puan.

He says that in five years, the service provider division, (which houses its WiMAX business, handled by subsidiary Packet One Networks (M) Sdn Bhd) will account for two-thirds of group revenue while about a third will come from its bread-and-butter solutions division.

Green Packet presently has more than 10,000 WiMAX subscribers. Puan is confident of clinching 200,000 subscribers by year-end.

As it stands, Green Packet provides WiMAX in over 200 sites throughout the Klang Valley, Johor Bahru, Alor Setar and Penang. By June 2009, Puan expects Green Packet to be on track to provide WiMAX to 30% of Peninsular Malaysia or a total of 600 sites, not too far from its target of 800 sites by year-end.

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We didn’t get an invitation but we managed to get in! P1 W1MAX has officially launched in Malaysia just hours ago at Mandarin Oriental. The launch was spectacular with impressive presentations, testimonial as well as light dance shows. They even got Hannah Tan to be the MC for the event.

Its CEO Michael Lai has spoken many aspiring stuff about broadband and how Packet 1 is eager to broadband whole Malaysia.

If you read our previous post, we revealed that there are 2 speed packages for business & personal. Apparently the said page was removed from the website after our posting. This time, the page is up again and we discovered that they are actually offering 4 speed packages of 400Kbps, 700Kbps, 1.2Mbps and 2.4Mbps. Read on to check out the updated packages.

P1 Personal Plans Updated

The new addition to the list are 400Kbps and 700Kbps plans with subscription rates of  RM49/month and RM69/month respectively for 2 years subscription or RM59/month and RM79/month for 1 year subscription. However these 2 lower range plans doesn’t come with a free modem so subscribers would need to fork out RM999 to buy the modem. The lack of free modem bundling on the lower plans defeat the purpose of cost savings for those who can’t afford higher subscription.

Another new discovery is that they are also offering NO CONTRACT PLANS but at a slightly higher monthly subscription package.

P1Business Plans Updated

Similar to personal plans, P1 also offers businesses the lower 400Kbps and 700Kbps plans but they are priced RM10-20 more than personal plan offering.

As said before, the new plans are competitive and can be considered as a alternative to existing ADSL and wireless services. While having 4 plans with speed ranging between 400Kbps to 2.4Mbps, the 1.2Mbps plan seems to be the best recommendation for P1 W1MAX at the moment with its modem and nationwide access waiver. We couldn’t recommend the 400Kbps and 700Kbps for low end users as the mandatory RM999 modem is too expensive for such users. It would be more logical if they could offer a rental basis modem bundling similiar to Streamyx.

It is also noted that getting P1 W1MAX also incurs other entry fees such as Registration Fee, Activation Fee, Stamping Fee and optional installation fee. In total, a first time user for 1.2Mbps account would need to fork out RM249 as initial payment including the subscription fee of RM89/month for a 2 year contract. As WiMAX is still new, this initial one time charges could deter users from signing up. Waiving the registration/activation fees would help to attract more and faster uptake of WiMAX.

For more details, head to P1 W1MAX website or go directly to their new package page.

Links
P1 W1MAX Launch Event Photos by Danny Foo

Tomorrow Packet 1 will make history with Malaysia’s first ever WiMAX launch which has been widely anticipated. It is said that Energy, Water and Telecommunications Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor would officiate the P1 W1MAX event tomorrow afternoon.

So how much is the subscription? Are subscribers tied to a contract? Read on as we managed to get an early peek on its offerings.

As mentioned before, P1 will be offering 4 packages, which 2 are for Personal users and another 2 are for Business Users. The 2 packages are identical for launch as P1 is giving promotional rates. For launch, they offer 1.2Mbps and 2.4Mbps plans.

From first look, the rates are competitive with 1.2Mbps as low as RM89/month for 2 year subscription or RM99/month for 1 year subscription.

For those who crave higher speeds, 2.4Mbps is offered at a much higher price at RM199/month for 2 year subscription or RM229/month for 1 year subscription. We believe these pricing would give Streamyx some competition it deserves.

P1 W1MAX Personal Plans

P1 Business Plans

Additional Charges:

• Registration Fee: RM100 (upfront)
• Activation Fee: RM50 (first bill)
• Stamp Duty: RM10 (first bill)
• Installation Fee: RM80 (optional)
• Nationwide Access: RM10 (optional)
• Modem Price: RM999

Key Benefits

• No fixed phone line needed (Save up to RM49)
• Service Activation within 12 hours
• Plug & Play
• 15-Day Service Guarantee

FREE MODEM
For those who subscribe between 20th – 30th August 2008, the LAN based WiMAX modem worth RM999 is bundled for FREE.

This marks and interesting start for WiMAX in Malaysia with its competitive pricing and attractive entry package. Backed by a 15-day service guarantee and a 12-hour activation commitment, Packet 1 is serious in providing broadband to the masses where Streamyx fails to fulfill. Coverage details on their website is not available at time of writing and hopefully they would reveal more on the website in the next few days to come.

Will WiMAX sink or sail? We will find out soon.

For more details, visit their P1 W1MAX packages page on their newly redesigned website.

Update: Catch the WiMAX Launch Live Telecast on your desktop thru streaming video on Yoonic.TV. Download your player and register yourself for a free account. Yoonic.TV is showing the event live on its “Community & Special Interest” category at Channel 1506.

The event will be held at Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur at 2.30PM.

To date, the WiMAX licenses in Malaysia have been awared to only a handful of companies but so far we have yet to seen anything out from them. Fortunately however, there’s one which is closer to reality and that company is Green Packet which has been rebranded recently.

Currently, Green Packet’s commercial broadband arm Packet 1 is showing something tangable which gives some assurance that they are ready to launch. During the WCIT 2008, they have showcased their WiMAX modem which was designed and made in house by Green Packet.

Originally Packet 1′s WiMAX was scheduled to be launched in mid 2008 but now this has been delayed towards the end of 2008. This however isn’t the end of the journey.

Packet 1 W1MAX Trial Programme

Althought Packet 1′s WiMAX is not officially launched, it seems that they are having a different approach on launching its services. Currently they are doing a Trial Programme where residents at selected areas of Kuala Lumpur are able to try WiMAX for free.

Their WiMAX official site at http://www.p1w1max.com.my indicates that the trial programme is open to those who are residing at:

• KLCC
• Subang Jaya
• USJ1 & USJ2
• Sentul
• Setapak
• Gombak

So those staying at the above areas, please do try signing up and let us know your findings.