Online – speed rules

CONSUMERS demand Internet services but generally they do not care how it is delivered.



The technology can be GSM, WiMax, CDMA, WCDMA or HSDPA, but what they want is a steady and reliant broadband connection without any interruption, while at the same time, one that comes with some speed for downloads. Most Internet users would be content with that.

While none of those around me uses dial-up or narrowband anymore, just flashback to the old school connection, 56kbps dial-up which is noisy during dialling. It can be a very frustrating experience as one might need to make several attempts to get connected.

Broadband, however, is generally all about the synergy displayed by a modem and a high speed copper or cable line to realise faster Internet access speeds.

An industry player says another advantage of the advanced broadband service over the older dial-up service is its splitting of the voice and data (phone and Internet) services using a splitter to enable the consumer to use both the services at the same time.

“Above all, broadband Internet connections give faster delivery starting from 256kbps, which is ideal for downloading heavy files such as music and video and online games. On the other hand, dial-up connections are sufficient for just surfing the Internet or checking emails,” he says.


Using the highway as an analogy, he says, narrowband is like a one-lane highway whereby only one car can travel at a time. However, with broadband, it is like having a highway with four or six lanes, allowing more traffic to pass concurrently.


Today, we have far more newer technology that equips us with faster and better Internet access than a decade ago. Consumers have even greater choices to access the Internet that prompted service providers to compete against each other to capture more market share. All local service providers are having one promotion after another, to attract users.


There are a few types of broadband connections available, some are faster than others, and some are more expensive.


There are various technologies behind broadband access. Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL), Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line (SDSL), cable and wireless are some of the of broadband connection types available in the country. Other new technologies such as Telekom Malaysia Bhd’s (TM) UniFi fibre-optic broadband and Time dotCom’s Time Fibre Broadband, are now adding to consumer’s choice for higher-speed Internet connections.


TM group CEO Datuk Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa says technology will keep advancing and the latest technology is fibre-optics. He adds that copper cable will still be used in other places.

“Basically, it provides us with better Internet connection especially with the high speed broadband as well as better user experience,” an industry player says when asked what all these technologies meant to us.


“They (consumers) don’t care if it’s Maxis Bhd’s wireless broadband, Celcom Axiata Bhd’s broadband, DiGi.Com Bhd’s broadband, PI Wimax or TM’s UniFi, only that it is available and affordable,” he adds.

He says the average Internet users do not care whether it is only 1Mbps, and not 20Mbps, or that the latency is 250 milliseconds instead of 60, unless they do a lot of heavy downloads.


The current fastest available broadband speed for the general public offered by TM is 4Mbps.


“The 4Mbps is still high speed Internet in my book, and most Internet users would be content with that. However, consumers may take a look at the latest 5Mbps basic package for UniFi. The whole package does look very attractive to a lot of users who have been subscribing to the 4Mbps or 2Mbps packages,” the analyst says.


Currently, all 3G players like Maxis, Celcom, DiGi and U Mobile Sdn Bhd offer affordable broadband services starting from RM38 a month. The rate can be as low as RM6 on a daily basis.


An industry player says wireless broadband coverage varies by region. “Just like phone coverage, it will be weaker or even unavailable if you’re accessing Internet in rural areas and in underground locations.”


Another industry player says even if you have the most advanced modem or if you are living in an area where broadband coverage is at its peak, it is unlikely that you will receive the maximum speed advertised by your provider.

“The distance from your house to the mobile pole, trees, buildings and other structures between your location and the pole, as well as the number of 3G network users within your neighbourhood will affect the speed of your connection,’ he explains.


Apart from the mobile players, WiMax providers like Packet One Networks (M) Sdn Bhd (P1), REDtone International Bhdand Asiaspace Sdn Bhd offer wireless broadband services.


Currently, P1 has the widest WiMax rollout nationwide, while REDtone has services in parts of Kota Kinabalu and Kuching. Asiaspace has coverage of 70 to 80 locations in the Klang Valley.


YTL Communications Bhd is planning for a commercial nationwide rollout of a 4G WiMax wireless service in July.


Analysts says the more popular option among the youth are wireless broadband as they could move about and yet stay connected.


An analyst says the true battle isn’t between the competing existing connection type, but between wireless and wired broadband. He wonders if TM will provide free dial-up service to the nation given that the telco is now moving to a higher speed.

“The performance and capabilities of new technology will only get better over time, and will represent a direct competitive threat to the existing broadband services.


“People will make a choice, just like today when people are disconnecting their wired lines for voice opting for mobile phone,” he says, adding that all service providers need to beef up their services and coverage given the extensive choice consumers have now.


Zamzamzairani believes that it is vital to educate the general public of the benefits of the Internet.


“Internet is a window to make the world smaller,” he says.


With today’s modern world where businesses rely on the Internet for everyday communications and worldwide access, broadband and other high-speed technologies present consumers and businesses an expedient way to hook up to the Internet.

http://unifi-tm.com/online-%E2%80%93-speed-rules