MCMC Dooms The Malaysia High Speed Broadband Project

I personally feel the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has doomed Malaysia Internet users to kingdom come for broadband. Though I’ve heard the MCMC board are really knowledgeable and respected. But their recent decision of leaving the whole High Speed Broadband Project (HSBB) to TMNet for 7 years left me in disbelief of their abilities or observation on what’s happening to our Malaysia broadband state now.

I mean seriously, haven’t they ever heard of one if not thousands (or millions) of complaints the TMNet Streamyx users have voiced all over the Internet? In fact, there is even a Facebook group condemning the ISP and worst, their customer service. Plus, TMNet doesn’t even care if they’re losing 80% of the business online.

I read in the business section of the newspapers today and in it contained:

The Government has deferred full access to the soon to be built high speed broadband (HSBB) network to industry players, except for Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM), by seven years to 2015.

Source: The Star

And, you know what else is funny in the news about this:

The seven years will be a headstart. It will give the company the time and the opportunity to build the network and recover their investment, he said.

When asked if those seven years were deliberately given to TM to monopolise the market, Sharil said: “If there is any monopolising of network, MCMC will take action. As the regulator, we can take action if there are any wrongdoings by any license holders who are anti-competitive.”

Source: Bernama

Sharil is the chief operating officer Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi of MCMC. As I was reading the article, the words headstart and monopolization doesn’t go well together. Especially when he’s already talking about a company which has and is monopolizing the wired broadband market.

And, what makes me even more mad is the company’s arrogance. With the launch of Wimax in Malaysia, media have asked if the company is threatened. Guess what they said:

iCapital does not see WiMAX as a threat to Streamyx, as both technologies have different target segments.

For heavy usage (i.e. substantial downloads), ADSL technology, which is used by Streamyx, still has the edge in terms of performance.

Source: The Star

Well, you know what. It’s not we Internet users are lazy to complain how much we hate the service but it’s because we are tired of complaining to a deaf ear. I’m still looking for the TMNet monopoly to fall. Then, the Malaysia Wimax licensees will shove what you said into your face.

And before I conclude this, let me share with you the factors made for this 7 year exception:

  • Long-term benefit of the end users
  • Effect on infrastructure investment
  • Effect on competition, including the presence of any anti-competitive practices; and
  • The promotion of national policy objectives under the Act

The list was from the Ministerial Direction on High-Speed Broadband and Access List. I picked this up and the Public Inquiry Paper on Review of Access List and Mandatory Standard on Access from MCMC’s website. They’re very interesting articles especially page 41 of the Public Inquiry Paper on Review of Access List and Mandatory Standard on Access.

It’ll tell you what is expected and to be expected from our national broadband plan. In short, I am so not impressed and really angry! :(

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Posted by dannyfoo on September 25, 2008 | Filed Under News |

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Comments



16 Responses to “MCMC Dooms The Malaysia High Speed Broadband Project”

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  1. Response #1 by Yow Chuan on September 25th, 2008

    Man…MCMC is making Malaysia internet users look like idiots.

    Now, there’s only one way we’ll see the stranglehold of TMNET’s monopoly fall…

  2. Response #2 by kchan on September 26th, 2008

    well, as usual capability has never been the first priority when considering infrastructure projects vendor. relationship is the most important thing to run a success business here.

  3. Response #3 by Danny Foo on September 27th, 2008

    Yow Chuan:
    Worst part for me is a friend actually told me the MCMC guys are very knowledgeable. But the moment I read this and also the statement TM should not be held ransom for their past flaws, I think they’re missing the point here.

    kchan:
    Indeed, relationship could be a much suitable replacement word for cronyism. :P

  4. Response #4 by rocsta on September 28th, 2008

    Danny,
    Knowledgeable they are but lack of wisdom…can’t blame them for they are merely doing their job…n i bet you have a replacement phrase for that

  5. Response #5 by Khengsiong on September 29th, 2008

    7 years is like eternity, as far as Internet technology is concerned :-(

  6. Response #6 by Danny Foo on September 30th, 2008

    Rocsta:
    I guess the word best suited for it would be; employees. :P Or, underlings. LOL!

    Khengsiong:
    I can’t really say much here. Though I can understand having to relay or redo the existing infrastructure is necessary. I just hope 7 years of building will be worth it and not become another nutty case.

  7. Response #7 by rocsta on October 1st, 2008

    hmm..i thought you’d say something like – yes men

  8. Response #8 by Mulutcabul on October 19th, 2008

    Yeah I agree. TMnet Streamyx service is very bad.

  9. Response #9 by shariff on November 22nd, 2008

    Dude, when you said “the company’s arrogance” is it TMNet’s arrogance you were talking? By the way, you were quoting from iCapital report. I suppose you were really mad to notice that.

    Also on Wimax, it has been quite a while since P1 launched their “high speed” wireless broadband service. But if you look at P1 website on their wimax package, it is pathetic. It cost you RM230/month to enjoy 2.4Mbps downlink at “best effort basis”, one time charge of rm160 and RM5/month for a paper bill! And how you expect a streamyx user to opt out and use P1? Maybe out of blind hate/mad on TMNet “monopoly” status?

    We also have 3G broadband services at more affordable price than P1’s wimax and better coverage. But you keep complaining that TMNet is monopolizing malaysia broadband market… I fail to understand that. We do have Jaring, NTT MSC, and some others, what are they doing? Blame them for doing nothing with licenses they got.

  10. Response #10 by Danny Foo on November 24th, 2008

    Indeed Shariff, when you’re angry it has to come out.

    As for the cost ratio between Streamyx and P1, I’d pay the amount stated for P1. Why? It’s because I know I’m paying for what I was promised. Said that, if I’m now paying RM88 p/month for Streamyx but getting such crappy performance and stability would you personally think this is fair.

    No doubt broadband is suppose to cost less, but it has to maintain the performance and reliability promised to the consumer. I was one of the first few batches who subscribed to Streamyx. Back then, it was great but they’ve done nothing much to it ever since. Only introducing better speeds and lower costs. The performance and service is still crap. If it wasn’t, I’d be upgrading to their 4Mbps package the moment it came out.

    Ultimately, If they refuse to adapt or observe how consumers are becoming more tech-savvy, they’ll soon see it from their own demise.

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