To those who are interested in getting the iPhone, I received news recently that Maxis has finally hammered a deal with Apple to be the first (and only?) carrier to sell the iPhone in Malaysia. The first source shared with me that Maxis is confirmed to be selling the iPhone, and that they are finalising the deal/package to be offered to consumers now. Details are expected to be announced in the next month or so.
The second source tells me that the iPhone will be offered free to consumers. Here’s the catch though:
You have to sign a contract with the devil Maxis, pledging eternal loyalty. No, just kidding. The deal is this:
- 24 month contract
- RM 250 per month minimum commitment
- RM 250 monthly includes unlimited 3G data using Maxis’ Mobile Internet product
So, the gist is this – RM 250 will get you only the phone plus unlimited 3G. No voice. If you want voice, you need to “top up” by selecting a PAYU (pay as you use) or one of the “value plus packages” such as the 50, 80 or 150 packages. So, with voice included, you are definitely paying Maxis more than RM 250 per month for the iPhone unless you opt to continue using your existing voice package. So, working back again – RM 250 – RM 99 (unlimited data plan) = RM 150 for the phone. Multiply that by 24 months and you get RM 3,600 being the cost of the iPhone. No word on whether this will be a 8Gb or 16Gb version or whether Maxis will bring in both versions with two package offerings.
So, will my sources be proven correct? Only time will tell.
It makes sense to offer the phone on an “instalment” basis. With the economy as it is, not many will buy a phone outright, especially one that will cost more than RM 2,500. Maxis also gets additional “revenue” by “forcing” customers to sign up for the data unlimited plan, to help recoup its massive investment in its 3G infrastructure.
If you want to share info, at least get it right. it’s already launched on site lar… haiyo.. your info is not even update… catch up to the Internet….INSTANT INFO:
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
March 11th, 2009 at 11:48 pm
@atleastgetyourinforight, whoa, stop ejaculating prematurely! There’s no point commenting on an old post, buddy, this was posted on . The latest one is here => http://mytechnews.info/b/2009/03/maxis-launches-the-iphone-3g.html. Could you at least do some research before ejaculating prematurely next time? It’s bad for sexual health, and may lead to your partner leaving you in search of satisfaction! Your behaviour really typifies the true Malaysia – shooting off your load before doing proper investigation. Tsk tsk tsk…
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lowest fee of only RM100 – get discounted iphone.. ok what
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
March 11th, 2009 at 11:53 pm
@heyheyyouyou, why are all the comments on this post coming from the same IP? But strangely all the commenters use different nicknames and slightly different email addresses. Very interesting. I didn’t know Maxis was so hard up for business with the iPhone? Lowest fee of RM 100? You mean commitment is it? Discounted price based on whose price point? Maxis own? How about I inflate my own iPhone3G price to RM 4,000 and say that Maxis is doing a good deal? What do you think consumers are – stupid or something? Oh wait – I think those left who haven’t yet got an iPhone are idiots, so it serves them right for getting an iPhone from Maxis then! Haha, idiots are deserving of each other!
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KUALA LUMPUR, March 11 (Bernama) — Maxis Communications Bhd will be launching the iPhone 3G in Malaysia this March 20, and has put in several offers in conjunction with the launch.
In a statement here today, it said it would offer a range of new tariff plan starting at RM100 per month for it’s the iPhone customers.
The 3G phone which combines three products in one, a phone, widescreen iPod and an internet device, and to be supported by 3G networking, GPS mapping and Microsoft Exchange, it is expected to provide more features to its users.
“Many of our mobile users have been eagerly anticipating this revolutionary phone,” said Maxis chief executive officer Sandip Das.
Maxis will offer the 8GB and 16GB iPhone 3G models with four new and specially designed postpaid plans called iValue, starting from RM100 per month.
For customers who sign up for a monthly commitment of RM375 over a 24-month period on the iValue 4 plan, the iPhone 3G 8GB will be provided free of charge.
“We are making nearly RM1.6 billion of investments into our networks this year.
“Over the coming months we will continue a comprehensive upgrade and expansion programme that will further enhance coverage and performance, including our high speed 3G data network,” added Das.
The Maxis official iPhone 3G launch will be held on March 20, 7pm, at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), where customers who have pre-registered for iPhone 3G will be invited to the event to collect their phones.
The public can visit http://www.maxis.com.my/iPhone, for more info.
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
March 11th, 2009 at 11:44 pm
@bernama, wow, thanks for this. By the way, why is Bernama, Malaysia’s national news agency, still using a Gmail address?
And this posted from an IP subnet belonging to Maxis? Shameless self promotion!
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Guys this article is damn dated la. Need to update the info.
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
March 12th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
@telco fairy, for the 2,139,049 time, please DO NOT COMMENT ON OLD POSTS. There is a newer one. Read the other comments as well before posting unnecessary comments which cheeses me off!
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Looks like you’ve been commented by maxis marketing patrol? Hehe….
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
March 13th, 2009 at 9:46 am
@Marvin Lee, I don’t mind the right comments on the right post, but these people are commenting on an old post and saying that I’m outdated when they did not even bother to check that there is a newer post with the confirmation of the rumour. I guess they did not have anything of substance to say about the other post, so they spammed this one instead!
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