It was by chance that I came across the access and modem promotion in Low Yat recently, I have been interested in getting a HSDPA USB modem but had been contemplating for a while due to the rather high retail prices that they come with.
To date, most wireless broadband providers will require upfront payment for the contract period on their modem issued i.e IZZI would need the lump sum total of the annual subscription charges (usually amounting to more than RM 1K -makes you wonder.. this is already like an engagement with an option to marry - am I that committed?).
U Mobile however, on the positive note, does not require upfront payment for the modem and service subscribe. Their "Surf With U" package only requires a RM 50 activation fee and you can take the modem home to test if this start-up operator has service coverage at your area. Upon signing up, a trial period of 8 days is allocated upon service activation so that you can test for coverage, quality of service and return them within the 8 days without any questions asked.
What does "Surf With U" package offer?
a) Up to 3.6 MBPS High speed internet access (but service is on best effort only - how come we hear of this so commonly stated by all service providers, no one can offer guaranteed bandwidth solution?)
b) Monthly fee of RM 78 ( to date, I believe this is the cheapest rate in town, I am on this package because of this rate :-P)
c) Free modem (its been absorbed in the 24 Months contract or pay fine of RM 799 for premature cancellation)
Now, my first two days having the service... how is the experience like?
Bandwidth seems to be acceptable, I mean.. I had expected more, but comparing to the pledge of 1MB that Streamyx promised me... U Mobile seems to deliver better "best-effort" service.
Here are some screen captures of the bandwidth usage that I recorded.
The orange window is the modem's dialer application. And accompanying it, is the bandwidth monitoring application at the bottom of the dialer.
Looking at the bandwidth above, I have two movies that I need to watch and thought that, I'd give U Mobile the task of handling it while I turn in for the night. Here is the screen capture of the downloading performance :
Prior to turning in, I did get to see a rather constant average of 500KB/S which is better that what my streamyx had faired.
However, U Mobile still has limited coverage, the website does not offer much information, its best to call in when you need confirmation of the places you intend to use the service. To me, it serves my apartment, I am rather happy with that.
The only thing that may not be to my liking :
a) The contract is 24 Months - for premature termination, need to pay RM 799 for the modem
b) There is a data restriction of 5 GB a month.. ( I do far more than that a month )
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