Here’s a nice chart! Malaysia’s not even in it, I wonder why? To be fair, Singapore isn’t listed either. (Click for larger version).

How does Malaysia compare?

Price
Malaysia 1MBps (or reasonable entry level packages)
Streamyx: RM99 (with modem, Streamyx 1Mbps) = Approx USD 29.
Digi: RM100 (Digi Broadband “1Mbps” - 200-700Kbps) = Approx USD29.42
P1: RM99 (without modem, RM99-RM199 for modem) = Approx USD 29
Maxis: RM88 (for wired broadband - modem included, 1 year contract) = Approx USD 25.89
Celcom: RM98 (Note this is for 3.6Mbps, no contract) = Approx USD 28.83

• Compared to Singapore: We pay about twice for half the speed. (SGD27.90 for 3Mbps)
• Compared to the USA: We pay about 10 times more for 4 times less speed. (USD3.33 for 4.8Mbps)
• Compared to Japan: We pay about 60 times more for 60 times less speed. Can cry now. (USD0.27 for 60Mbps)
• Compared to Korea: We pay about 60 times more for 46 times less speed (USD0.45 for 46Mbps)

Please take part in this poll I created: What would you pay, and for what speed? http://twtpoll.com/y9veho

Maximum speeds available (to consumer level customers)
Streamyx: 4 Mbps
Digi: 3.6 Mbps
P1: 2.4Mbps
Maxis: “Up to 7.2Mbps”

Broadband penetration rate
According to a recent statement by Rais Yatim, Malaysia’s broadband penetration is “31%”. However, it not so intelligently includes 3G devices as part of the broadband penetration statistic. Given that the majority of people do not tether their phones, and mobile browsing is not significant here, I don’t think it should have been included, and that Malaysia’s broadband penetration rate is closer to 15-20% at most.

(Btw this means even if we’re at 30% broadband penetration…that puts us about the same level as Mexico).

Epilogue
Remember that the experience widely differs for everyone. For some like me, Streamyx is giving no problems - 1.3Mbps download speed consistently, 0.3 Kbps upload, and today 67-113kb per second downloads on Bittorrent. Then again, I stay around Bandar Utama, which is well connected. Those outside PJ (Cheras, Kajang, Ampang, Balakong, etc) do not fare so well, and curse Streamyx on Twitter regularly.

Please take part in this poll I created: What would you pay, and for what speed? http://twtpoll.com/y9veho

Coverage is still an major issue. Tellingly enough, I’ve recently gotten to know that the upper management of a certain broadband company uses the broadband services of their main competitor at home, regularly! You as a normal consumer can’t expect to get coverage in your area too soon now, can you?

Some recent posts of note on P1 and Digi:

A Day in My Life with DiGi Broadband Internet
Karen has a pretty good walkthrough of the process of setting up a Digi Broadband connection. Although probably a paid post, it has lots of a pictures and gives you a good idea of what to expect.

Digi vs Celcom in KK
Mahira has a review of Digi vs Celcom in Kota Kinabalu. Digi wins Celcom.

A video interview with the P1 CEO, Michael Lai (ex-TMNet) (via MalaysianWireless)

Highlights
- Michael wears promotional shirt for P1. Smart.
- P1 aims to cover 35% of Malaysia’s population this year (2009). 3 more months to go.
- P1 aims to cover 100% of Malaysia’s population within 10 years. (2019)
- “Broadband is no longer a priviledge but a right”
- According to Michael “Less than 7% of the population has broadband”
- P1 going into India, P1 International has been setup

Lastly, there’s one page that P1 has that deserves more traffic (it’s hard to find from their main page!) Vote for P1 coverage. Go visit, and vote for your area!

Just created a new Facebook Fan page to spread awareness of this website. Please join here: RedesignMalaysia on Facebook.

Right now I’m the only fan, so it’s a bit sad, lol. More updates soon on the Freedom2Talk contest (where I am attempting to win RM50K to take this site to the next level)!

Hi guys - just to let you know that I on behalf of RedesignMalaysia will be taking part in Freedom2Talk’s The Chief Talker competition. Check it out here :freedom2talk.org. The winner will win RM50,000 to be used towards a cause of their choice.

Please vote for me! (Under Joshua Lim), currently on Page 4. This is also a good chance for you to secure a vanity number for Tune Talk’s upcoming telco service. They have a pretty good system for you to book your number in advance. As for me, I’ve gotten 010-LIMJOSH (type it out on your phone, and it’s 010-5465674). Check it out, and remember to vote! Btw, you can only vote once a day. I’m currently at number 16 out of 30, so you know what to do

Upcoming on this site will be: How the RM50,000 will be spent to improve broadband in Malaysia. We have a pretty good plan that I’m quite sure a lot would agree with (but not the funding yet), and hopefully we will soon. Stay tuned!

PS: Drop your comments & suggestions on how the RM50,000 should be spent! (Eg, to buy broadband from different ISPs and test them rigorously, an open forum for broadband users to complain, etc).

Something worth sharing: There seems to be a new group created for Celcom users (mobile & broadband) on Facebook. It doesn’t appear to be official, and there are quite a few comments already, ranging from very negative to queries on how to get it.

Check it out here: Celcom Mobile and Broadband users Wall

Update:

Also a group for Maxis users: Maxis Broadband’s Wall

While there are quite a few negative comments, it’s more likely that people who would take the trouble to find the group (and post) are the ones that have problems with the service. Are there any people who are satisfied with the service? Please comment on this post (or over there), as well as your location. It will help more people find out about the quality of service in their area.