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?






