What is the first thing in your mind when it comes to Malaysia’s Broadband service?
As for me, in my opinion, the first thing is that the service is not reliable(generally) and can you still call it broadband when videos on popular site Youtube still buffers on a so called broadband connection?
Consumer in Malaysia pays a fixed price on broadband service but they don’t get a “fixed speed”.
When will we enjoy real broadband service? The HSBB project does not provide much hope as it only involves the Government and Telekom Malaysia(very much closely related to the Government), isn’t this “Monopoly” and isn’t this happening again(monopoly) from what we have seen in our fixed line+ broadband service?
Broadband or Internet today is not only about speed, speed and speed. It is all about stability in network(can it offer a constant non-stop 1Mbps or at least 80% of the speed?), subscriber’s experience(reliability & coverage) and inter-connection with other ISPs in Malaysia and around the world. What is the use of speed when you cannot connect to the internet, or when you get disconnected? Broadband subscribers should have the right to take the ISPs to court when they don’t get the service that they are paying for because subscribers are not doing charity here.
In my opinion, Malaysia Broadband subscribers are not fairly treated when it comes to broadband service. In most cases, the terms and conditions imposed by the ISP only benefits the ISP and not the subscribers. Don’t you think that customers who are paying for a fair service offered by the ISP should also get a fair treatment?
A simple example is when TM silently modify their T&C here (as a customer, TM has not updated me on this) which states “XV. Streamyx download and upload speed is guaranteed for local content access only. TM is not responsible for the low speed of either download or upload of international content access.” Dear TM, can I pay half of the bill since most of my surfing goes out of Malaysia with slower speed?
With the current Government elected by the majority Malaysians, I don’t think this will change, for now.
If the industry and Government cannot come as one for a better broadband service, then the consumers should unite as one.
With this, I call upon all Broadband subscribers in Malaysia to create the first MALAYSIA BROADBAND USER GROUP(MBUG) that will defend the right of Broadband subscribers in Malaysia.
I strongly believe that our voice as ONE will create a new wave in this industry demanding for a better broadband service. With the right people, support, and planning, I promise a change in the broadband industry if this user group could take off.
Have suggestions/ideas/plans in starting this user group? Email me: malaysianwireless(AT)gmail.com
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P.s: This post and all the other post on this blog is purely my opinion and does represent any publication, company or individual out there.
