Here’s a roundup of some interesting articles…and my sarcastic or insightful comments:

“WiMax operating license was issued two years ago to four local operators namely AsiaSpace, Green Packet, Redtone and YTL.
However, it took sometime for these companies to roll out the network as they were waiting for Equipment Vendors to complete market ready non-standard 2.3Ghz Radio Base Station Equipment and Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) in to production….At the same time the government is awarding a RM 11 Billion HSBB project to Telekom Malaysia to provide really High Speed Boroadband Service using fiber optic.”

Above from Dixonian:
Josh: is “Boroadband” a typo, or was it done on purpose? Think - what does “boro” sound like? Eg, “Boro” la you!

“The company Motorola announced that REDtone, a leading Malaysian provider of telecommunication services and solutions put into operation first in East Malaysia broadband network WiMAX.”

Above from: Justamp
Josh: East Malaysia has a very rural infrastructure that makes it especially suited to Wimax. To get around East Malaysia (at least the less urban areas), you need a boat or a 4X4.

“Will this happen in Malaysia? - Reports of critical interference with TV broadcasts in Hong Kong by broadband wireless systems in the satellite C-band frequency are on the rise.”

Above from: Remgold
Josh: Astro how liddat? Want to access net, cannot watch satellite TV? Die!

The obvious solution to this problem is to allow the Satellite providers to operate on a higher/wider frequency (which means you have to update your Satellite Dish) - but this also means you have access to more bands and immoral and decadent Western TV filth from the United States. (and also, broadcasts from Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, etc).

Have you wondered why our Satellite Dishes (Astro, for example, and there isn’t any other example) are so small compared to other countries? Any bigger, and they can receive transmissions from countries further than Malaysia. It is important to note that this limit was effected not for technical reasons, but for other reasons. Can you guess why?

“New kids on the block. Wimax is making its presence in this Multimedia Super Corridor that does not keep its promises on the 10 point Bills of Rights. Yes, Wimax is coming to town….Now that I knew the fee, it seems that W1max will not be in my list of priorities anymore.”

Above from:Xprienceoflife
Josh: Yes, it is rather expensive…

I used to think that Singaporeans get a better deal (compared to Malaysia) when it came to telecommunication services, as they were a country with double our broadband penetration, and better technology laid out (fiber vs copper), as well as better competition between companies.

However, it appears they suffer due to a monopoly as well.

Check out Consumers United Against Starhub Price Hike

Here’s an excerpt. Sounds a lot like what we’ve been saying too, strangely enough.

This is THE time we, the consumers, stand UNITED and send a strong message to monopolistic businesses and instituitions in Singapore, which constantly subject us to price hikes and unfair business practices.

These are the following reasons on where we stand and why YOU should sign on this petition:

1. Starhub’s terms and conditions are unfair and baised against the consumer. We should be allowed avenues to terminate the contract in the event of price hike, without incurring penalties.

2. New price hike should apply to new sign-ups only, and NOT to consumers with existing contracts.

I love this part in particular…what if we did the same to TMNet?

4. Finally, we urged all Starhub cable TV subscribers to continue paying the current rate for their subscribtion and ignore the price hike until Starhub has given us, the consumers, a satisfactory response to our complaints.

On the other hand here’s some good news. Malaysians note - our cable coverage for football is the best in the region. Malaysia (Astro) beats Singapore, Indonesia, & Thailand! Check this out - “Malaysian Sports cable TV Viewers Get Best Deal“. Thanks to IZ for the tip.

 Translation: We have another satellite in space now, and that’s a good thing for broadband here. Malaysia Boleh! Soon we’re going to have a bolehnaut and teh tarik in space too, but that’s a different story.

Translation: This can shape up to be a significant challenge to TM Net Streamyx’s market dominance. As you might notice from this Wikipedia link on Maxis, they basically own Measat-3. Although the main purpose of the satellite is to extend the coverage of sister company Astro’s satellite services, it is very likely that the broadband capabilities of the new satellite will be marketed as under the Maxis Broadband umbrella rather than as an Astro broadband thing. Maxis already has very good dominance in the urban mobile telecommunications sector, so getting existing mobile customers to subscribe to a broadband package shouldn’t be too far a stretch, rather than trying to convince Astro watchers to get broadband. This is purely my speculation, and adding credence to it is the fact that Astro did have a short-lived trial of internet services, but no news has been hard since.

Translation: No more coverage issues. No 5KM radius DSLAM limitation. No more not enough ports problems. No more reliance on old copper cabling. Rather than try to depend on the underground, broadband can now come from the heavens above, and anywhere with a clear line of sight to the sky should be able to receive a satellite broadband signal. Bonus: The launch vehicle of the satellite is called the “Proton Breeze M”. No, it’s not a new car model from national carmarker Proton Berhad, but rather, this link should explain it.

Let’s end with two questions:
1. Do you think satellite broadband internet services are already available currently, as of today, right now? Yes or No? (This one I know the answer to. It might not be what you think. Btw, if the answer is yes, it’s not Measat providing it. If it’s no, then no one lah. What do you think?)
2. If satellite broadband were already available here…how much would you pay per month for a good, steady 1-2MBps connection?