With the cheapest cost-per-GB MiFi plans in the country there’s actually a strong case for P1 to promote its MF230 MiFi device. The generous monthly data allowance combined with seamless wireless connectivity for up to five devices makes it easy for users with multiple devices to get connected when out and about with a MiFi and a P1 plan.

P1’s MF230 MiFi was initially launched exclusively with Harvey Norman back in December 2010. To purchase the MF230 you will need to buy an iPad with Harvey Norman as well. There is no option that allowed you to purchase the MF230 as a standalone device.

We thought that this exclusivity period was only for a couple of months, so we got in touch with P1 Customer Service via its web-chat service on its website to get the latest information about the MF230 and whether it is available a standalone purchase item now.

The above screen capture was the answer that we got from a P1 customer service rep. Close to four months after the Harvey Norman deal, you still can’t buy the MF230 from P1 directly. This is confusing because there is a prominent mention of the MF230 MiFi on P1′s website but as we’ve discovered, the device is not sold by P1. The only way to get the MF230 is through Harvey Norman and even then, you’ll need to buy an iPad from them first.

With the market now inundated with tablets from numerous manufacturers MiFi devices are gaining popularity. We have a market primed for a high adoption of this particular breed of gadget. And with the impending iPad 2 mania hitting the nation this coming Friday, it’d be smart for P1 to start selling its MF230 through multiple channel rather than rely on one single channel partner (in this case, it’s Harvey Norman). Also, there should be an option to purchase the MiFi standalone and not have it tied-up to an expensive purchase-with-purchase program.

On top of this P1 CEO Michael Lai openly proclaimed via his Twitter account that its MF230 “works wonderfully well while others fail”. If this is indeed the case, then it would seem that P1 have a strong product in its hands. So why the bashful market approach?

We’re not sure why P1 is not selling the MF230 using their own channels. All we know is that, if the CEO thinks very highly of the device, the should make it widely available and easily purchased.

	Mobile Devices, P1, Players on the Field
	4G MiFi, 4g wimax, MF 230, michael lai, mifi, P1, P1 4G, P1 MiFi, P1 WiMAX, Pocket WiFi, WiMAX, WiMAX Router, WiMAX WiFi Router

Update (1800hrs 23122010): P1 has updated the information on their website to include the newly launched MF230 MiFi device. Find out more after the jump.

A while ago, P1′s CEO, Micheal Lai teased everyone with the prospect of P1 coming out with a 4G MiFi. This was two months ago and he claims that the P1 MiFi “works wonderfully well while others fail“.

We like MiFis and it’s nice to know that there will soon be another type to choose from. Though it’s rather ironic that P1 was amongst one of the first (if not the first) operator to have hinted that they were going to market a MiFi device but are now the last of come into the market with one but as the saying goes, better late than never.

So here it is, the MF230 MiFi device from P1 and currently you can only get it from Harvey Norman.

Reliable sources reveal that in terms of pricing, the device itself cost RM250 but you’ll have to purchase it with a plan. The plan that comes with the 10GB data usage a month with download speeds up to 1.5Mbps at RM89/month. As an introductory offer, P1 is giving first month subscription free and you only pay RM44/month for the 2nd and 3rd month. Essentially the plan is the same as the one offered with the P1 W1GGY.

In terms of device performance, you can connect five devices simultaneously to the the MF230 and Green Packet claims that the battery lasts up to four hours “active-usage“. In terms of range, the FAQ states that you get 20 meter connectivity range indoor and 35 meters outdoors.

The P1 MF230 is produced by its parent company Green Packet, you can check out the specifications here. Unlike P1 devices previously the MF230 is branded Green Packet rather than P1 which can confuse some customer we think.

No details available on P1′s website yet but we’ll keep you posted if there’s any. P1′s website is updated with info on the MF230 and we’ve poured through the FAQ to understand the plan, head on over to after the jump to see what we’ve discovered.

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	P1, Players on the Field, Technologies, WiMAX
	4G MiFi, 4g wimax, MF 230, michael lai, mifi, P1, P1 4G, P1 MiFi, P1 WiMAX, Pocket WiFi, WiMAX, WiMAX Router, WiMAX WiFi Router

P1 WiMAX’s CEO Michael Lai has given a small teaser on an upcoming 4G WiMAX MiFi device via twitter.

He doesn’t reveal much on the device but it could possibly be the same Infomark MiFi device shown earlier or GreenPacket’s own WiMAX-WiFi router. We would believe it is more likely the latter as shown below.

With YTL’s imminent launch sometime next month, P1 would need to brace themselves for a new competitor in the WiMAX space. It was earlier mentioned that YTL is coming out with its own 4G Mobile Phone and MiFi device during launch.

While P1 claims its MiFi device is superior than others, we wonder which other MiFi did they use for comparison. From our last test, P1 WiMAX does not support seamless connectivity which hampers true mobility. We’ve tried a couple of MiFi devices including 3G pocket WiFi routers and even Android WiFi tethering with no issues at all.

As usual, no mention of release and we can’t tell whether it is gonna be launched at all.

[ SOURCE ]

	P1, Players on the Field, Rumour Mill, Technologies, WiMAX
	4G MiFi, 4g wimax, michael lai, mifi, P1, P1 WiMAX, Pocket WiFi, WiMAX, WiMAX Router, WiMAX WiFi Router

The picture above shows P1‘s top management including CEO Michael Lai (second row centre) and the VP of customer service Ahereen Lee (front row right) going through customer service training.

This is interesting.

We received an email from a source within P1 highlighting the extra efforts the company is taking to improve on its customer relationship.

And by the looks of it, they are really putting their money where their mouth is when it comes to customer service.

The source claims that P1′s CEO, Michael Lai has initiated a program dubbed the “You’ve got a friend @ P1” to get the whole company behind the concept of customer service not being a department but a whole company.

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	P1, P1, Players on the Field, WiMAX
	customer service, michael lai, P1, P1 w1max, P1 WiMAX, packet one

P1 CEO Michael Lai mentioned last week that new plans were on the way from P1 and here it is.

Technically the “new” plans are just revised pricing from the old plans. Not much difference from the earlier plans but the revised pricing means some packages have gone up in price and some down but generally cost of ownership is now more for shorter subscription contract.

Here are the details:
At a glance

• UPDATE-090204: P1 updated the new plans table. P1 Office Standard plan now comes with 500kbps upload. Previously was a pathetic 150kbps. For an additional RM60 home users can enjoy unlimited data. Those who can afford it, this is not bad.
• P1 modem is no longer free – 12 month contract subscribers will have to pay RM199 for the modem (original price RM999). For 24 months contract the P1 modem is still free
• Looks like you still pay nothing upfront
• The fastest home user plan – P1 Pro – comes with with increased data usage. 40GB/month (previously only 20GB)
• Office plans now come with unlimited data usage

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	P1, WiMAX
	Broadband, fair usage policy, inlimited data, michael lai, new wimax plans, P1 WiMAX