The talk about the Malaysia WiMAX rollout is getting rampant. Tech geeks and bloggers seem to be aiming for the keywords; Malaysia and Wimax. As mentioned, all you need are a few good posts to increase your Google Adsense revenue and position yourself better in search engines. Let’s see if I’m able to position this blog with the phrase; Malaysia Wimax.
While at it, I’m thinking about the Malaysia WiMAX implementation and its possible effects towards our working culture and possibly, lifestyle. When Wimax finally rolls out in Malaysia (hopefully by this year), the first business which will get affected are cafes like Starbucks, Coffee Bean and other free wifi spots. Would they survive the rollout?
Especially when Wireless@KL is completely launched.
The KL Wireless Metropolitan Project or Wireless@KL is a FREE wireless broadband internet access service that is brought to you by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) in collaboration with Packet One Networks (M) Sdn Bhd in a pioneering effort to transform Kuala Lumpur into a world-class wireless city.
The only problem with this plan (to me) at the moment is the available speed – 512kbps download. I was one of the initial subscribers to Streamyx when they launched their 512 package. Let’s say for the sake of argument over how consumers select their Malaysia Internet provider, they think more about speed before price and customer service.
If I already owned a 1Mbps WiMAX package for the home, I’ll be able to carry this connection speed anywhere I want – I think. Which means I won’t be using much of the free wireless access in Kuala Lumpur. However, this will be beneficial to tourist and others who only need a simple connection to download average sized emails (no more than 1MB) and browse on their Apple iPhone maybe.
Speaking of tourists, here’s some great news for hotel patrons. No more need to pay for hotel Internet access! I’m seriously sick of having to pay for Internet access at a hotel when I’m already a patron at the place. Don’t you think so?
So what may possibly happen to cafes like Starbucks or Coffee Bean? Well, I’ll still be staying there longer and they’d save on their wifi license or agreement with the Internet providers subscribed now. No more need to pay a royalty fee or have customers say they can’t connect to the Internet or their account has expired for no reason – my experience.
Will we see more mobile warriors (workers) out of the office? Maybe. Will consumers use their Internet service outdoors more than indoors? Maybe. But what I do know is the digital convergence will increase. And, we’re going to have smarter Internet users – I hope.
Any other possible effects coming across your mind?
- For schools?
- For toilets?
- For islands?
Well you are wrong about that tourist does not have to pay for high internet access. I recently check in to Cititel Express located at Jalan TAR and you know what, they actually block all access to other WIFI provider except their own. They charge $10 per hour for WIFI access.
Too bad, the WIMAX might not work for tourist as our hotels still keen on making money with providing internet access.
Ouch! That is seriously a very painful experience.
Hmm…I wonder how do they literally block other wifi signals available?
Can Wifi be blocked? Possibly, but wouldn’t the device block the hotel’s Wifi signal as well?
Anyway, most tourists can probably afford the hotel rates la, not us Malaysians. I’m sure we’ll be resourceful enough to hunt down a Starbucks or a cybercafe when we’re visiting other places? :)
I know they can afford it but don’t forget even when Malaysians travel around Malaysia (which the tourism ministry wants us to do) we end up having to pay too.
And if you’re in Cameron Highlands, there isn’t a Starbucks nearby. As for cybercafe, I don’t think I saw one too. LOL!
Sorry, I may sound stupid but what are hotel patrons? Are they the same as hotel residents? Honestly, this is the first time I heard the words ‘hotel patrons’. All this while I only know ‘hotel residents’.
Ya lar, the Internet usage charges at hotels are crazily high. Hopefully Wimax can solve this problem.
Fath:
It’s actually the same. I think hotel patrons are more used in US – I think. LOL! :P
Neo:
Well, if they do end up blocking the signal again – I still can’t figured out how, then even Wimax might not save us from their demanding pockets.
My only concern is the entry and subscription cost of getting WiMAX and does P1 have the staying power. I do expect nothing less than 100% uptime and the connection speed stated in the plan I subscribe to, ok, give and take a couple of hundred kbps. .
Look at Izzy, 4G speed is great but it’s out of reach for many people due to the high upfront cost of RM600+. Izzy is also a newcomer into a market dominated by resource abundant Maxis and Celcom with their mobile data services. As a consumer, I’d like the confidence of knowing my ISP will be around at the end of my 1 year contract and not shut down halfway like MiTV which came in promising an affordable alternative to what is currently available.
Finally, how will the 4 WiMax players evolve over time? Will they find their niche or kill each other off? What I also fear is that they end up covering different parts of the country and won’t allow subscribers of other areas to ride on their network and we all end up with multiple WiMax accounts to ensure we get nationwide coverage. This is really going to suck.
I like your article about WiMax in Malaysia, it gives me some new info about what’s going on in Malaysia , i mean in the IT industry. Btw what are the names of Malaysia’s WiMax service and how are the prices like?
I’ve only been hearing P1 W1MAX around. Then, today I found out someone is trying Amax. No news on YTL and RedTone as far as I know. I suppose that’s cause they’re targeting East Malaysia.
Price wise, P1 is offering the lowest I think. Starting from RM99 per month. Amax according to the other blogger mentioned RM139 per month.
But P1’s free modem promotion should’ve ended already. The blogger didn’t mention if Amax is also charging for the modem or not. If they are then it can be considered expensive.
I have some questions on this topic… how will WiMAX impact the business who are on the go? and how will WiMAX impact the public dissemination of information?
I believe Wimax could be the answer to some poverty issues. It’s not only a method for the poor to access the Internet but for those who aren’t very IT-related to do simple jobs which requires little IT education. Systems are being designed easier to use and ideally, it could be used by a non-IT savvy user.
As for spread of information, I’m thinking digital signboards which could relay state emergencies on the fly or higher revenue generation for the board owners (and media designers) to display as many advertisements at one time.
In fact, those are very good questions Milan. It really prompts me to think to the future. :)