The Star has reported that REDtone International, one of the 4 licensed WiMAX operators in Malaysia is waiting for additional spectrum to roll out in West Malaysia. Just to recap, P1, AMAX & YTL were licensed to operate in West Malaysia while REDtone is the sole operator in East Malaysia. Among the 4, P1 and REDtone we’re the first to launch WiMAX in August 2008.

When we read this piece of news, we’re a little surprised by REDtone’s eagerness to venture into West Malaysia. Currently, REDtone is enjoying some sort of exclusive monopoly in Sarawak to operate WiMAX since 2008. It has been 2 years since launch but REDtone has failed to cover all major towns and cities of Sabah and Sarawak. This of course attracted a RM200,000 fine by MCMC for failing to achieve 25% target penetration in 2009.

With the current situation, it doesn’t make any sense for REDtone to step into West Malaysia. With AMAX struggling and YTL no where at sight, we are unconvinced that REDtone would fare any better. There are many Sabah and Sarawak residents who are in dire need of alternative to TM Streamyx as other wireless broadbands including 3G are still not widely available. REDtone should just focus their resources in East Malaysia instead of getting into a bullfight with other operators.

Currently P1 and REDtone are the only 2 WiMAX operators in Malaysia that are in commercial service. AMAX is still undergoing re-engineering while YTL is yet to launch commercially.

Check out our previous posts on REDtone WiMAX here.

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REDtone, another WiMAX operator has quietly launched its portable USB WiMAX offering. The portable USB WiMAX modem comes with 2 plans, the Flexi50 and Flexi80.

Flexi50 offers 512kbps download and 128kbps upload with 8GB quota at RM50/month, while Flexi88 offers 1Mbps download and 384kbps upload with 15GB quota at RM88/month. The packages looks similar with the recent P1 WiMAX Wiggy postpaid plans of WiGGY 59 and WiGGY 89.

Subscribers will have a choice of a 12 month contract with what looks like a free USB Modem or a contract free option that requires RM239 up front for the device. A RM100 deposit is required for the device on the 12-month contract. REDtone didn’t provide much details on the modem except that it looks like a red little box that fits in your pocket. We also wonder that since Intel has launched a new range of laptops and netbooks with WiMAX built-in, REDtone should have look into offering their WiMAX service on them as well. Since the WiMAX module supports 2.3GHz, there shouldn’t be a problem for it to work as long as REDtone’s network is ready for it.

In addition, we noticed that REDtone has expanded its coverage beyond the capital cities of Kuching and Kota Kinabalu. At the moment, we are seeing coverage in Miri, Sarawak as well as Sandakan and Tawau in Sabah.

Miri

Sandakan/Tawau

REDtone has been quite slow in its WiMAX roll out but currently it stands as the 2nd WiMAX operator in commercial service after P1. AMAX, the other WiMAX operator has temporary suspended its service for reengineering purposes until further notice. P1 previously had mentioned that they will be entering East Malaysia around this year. We hope that happens soon to give REDtone some competition in this underserved region.

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REDTone Broadband, a WiMAX operator that focus on Sabah/Sarawak has a new promotion for its WiMAX packages.

Until 31st August 2009, REDtone offers FREE WiMAX CPE Rental of RM25/month for new subscribers. In addition, the RM100 Activation fee is waived as well. REDTone Broadband is still giving a 14 days Money back guarantee.

The monthly WiMAX subscription fees are still maintained with the lowest entry of 1Mbps going for RM138/month.

More details here.

According to sources close to us, REDtone, one of the four WiMAX players in Malaysia would be launched officially in Kuching, Sarawak  pretty soon. 

For those who haven’t heard, Redtone is the only WiMAX licensee to start rolling out in East Malaysia. It was the 2nd WiMAX operator to launch shortly after P1 in August 2008. Branded as REDtone WiMAX, it initially covers Kota Kinabalu, Sabah but we have yet to hear any buzz from them.

Apparently the offering in Kuching is said to be from RM138/month and equipment would be using Motorola‘s WiMAX range.

Watch this space as we will try to update once we receive confirmed intel.

In the news however, it was reported that REDtone is spending RM20 million this year for WiMAX coverage. Apparently they claim to have WiMAX coverage at Kota Kinabalu and Kuching already. Now they are looking at covering Tawau & Miri.

We would like to see REDtone to launch their services fully and reach out to fill the broadband gap in Sabah and Sarawak immediately.