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

Meanwhile, YTL E-Solutions say their commercial launch of its WiMAX service is scheduled for next year.

We say, whatever.

Stop talking about it and show us the goods.

Our thoughts on AMAX
Ok, to be fair, AMAX has a shop in Tmn Tun and we’ve seen some buntings around town and a few ads in the papers. BUT we’re not convinced. The website looks bad (actually, we wanted to say “crap” but we don’t want to be mean) and the marketing effort is half baked at best.

If you go to the AMAX website, under the coverage section you will find this very interesting note:

The AMAX network will cover the entire Klang Valley by end 2008. By the end of 2010, the entire nation will be one big AMAX hot spot.

Sounds like wishful thinking to us as obviously what the website claims hasn’t yet materialised, far from it actually.

And apparently there’s a reason for all the “low-key” marketing.

Asiaspace chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Abdullah says: “We are not shouting about (the WiMAX services) but we are reaching out to the public,”

He said the company was relatively quiet in terms of promoting its services, but this was to ensure the necessary infrastructure was in place first before offering it to customers.

“We are already in business with our wireless product called ‘amax’ and have a number of subscribers using our services,” Abdul Ghani added.

If we were there we would ask him to reveal the subscriber base and also the company’s expected growth for this year.

For all we know “a number of subscribers” could consists of Asiaspace’s staff, suppliers, vendors and their extended families.

Our thoughts on REDtone
REDtone’s approach is to forgo key market centre’s in West Malaysia altogether and provide WiMAX coverage in East Malaysia, where internet penetration is lower.

On the positive, WiMAX would be perfect for East Malaysia where hardlines are an issue accessing remote areas. This could lead to increased internet penetration in that region. That could be good (the operative word here being “could”).

But then…the company can’t expect to operate a sustainable long term business just concentrating on East Malaysia alone and the by the looks of it, the coverage is really not that good either. East Malaysia is bigger than West Malaysia ok. We could only imagine how the performance would be like.

In the end…
Please forgive us if we’re being too critical but please hear us out. We welcome new players with open arms because more players means more competition. More competition means more choice and better value. This means consumers win.

But so far, the only WiMAX ISP that’s looking capable of providing this choice and value is P1. We’d love to give credit where credit is due but at this point the other WiMAX license holders really have nothing much to show for themselves.

By the way, anyone subscribed to AMAX or REDtone? Please share your experience with us. We genuinely would like to know what’s the performance like.

[SOURCE]

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.