P1 has introduced a new modem, the DX-230 which features 802.11b/g/n WiFi, 2x LAN ports and 2x phone ports. Design wise it looks more aesthetically pleasing as their current DV-230 has a separate WiFi module sticking out from the back.

We also noticed that the older DS-300 has been dropped from the website and the DV-230 is offered for its lower 400kbps package. With the DS-300 phased out, WiFi sharing is now standard on all P1′s desktop offering.

Existing users can purchase the new modem at RM399 at P1 P@ddock and P1tstop outlets.

Apart from the new modem, there’s also a revision of WiMAX pricing.

For its 2.4Mbps Home Pro plan, P1 is now offering it at RM139/month with 30GB data allowance. Previously this was priced at RM199/month with 40GB. This seems to be reduced to entice existing 1.2Mbps users to add RM40 for double the speed and 50% extra data allowance which isn’t too bad. The only concern is whether your area can support up 2.4Mbps as there are some who struggled to reach its max potential speed.

If we calculate the cost per GB, the 1.2Mbps with 20GB/month at RM99 will cost you RM4.95/GB while the 2.4Mbps with 30GB/month at RM139, costs RM4.64/GB. So it costs slightly less per GB and you get to enjoy potentially double the speed of the 1.2Mbps package. Worth considering if 20GB is not sufficient for your monthly usage.

There’s also a promotion for its 1.2Mbps Home Plus plan where P1 waived its Registration and Activation Fee. On top of that, they slashed half for 2nd and 3rd month bill which translate a total of RM260 off. The rest of the plans get only RM100 off for Registration Fee.

More details at P1 website.

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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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