If you recall, I published my Malaysia Wireless Broadband Buying Guide some time ago, and thought it was due for a review, in light of new developments. So, in the process of updating this guide, I did two significant things:
- I signed up for a U Mobile data only postpaid account, at a cost of RM 68 nett monthly.
- I purchased the new Celcom Broadband Prepaid Starter Pack at a cost of RM 25, with RM 20 preloaded credit.
There are a few things you may need to know about the Celcom Broadband Prepaid product:
- it is a data only product, you can’t make or receive voice calls with it.
- it cannot send SMSes to numbers other than “short code” numbers. Short code numbers are numbers like “2888″, “28882″, etc.
- it can receive SMSes from any number, but it cannot reply except if the sending number is a short code number (see 2 above).
- you can check your balance using SMS to a short code number.
- you can check the broadband subscription status using SMS to a pre-determined short code number.
- when you buy a daily or weekly broadband prepaid, it is truly following the “24 hours clock system” – for example, if you purchase a daily broadband prepaid package, and activate it at 10:10, your subscription will expire at 10:09 the next day.
- when you buy the broadband prepaid pack, you need to activate it first by sending an SMS to a pre-determined short code number.
- the maximum surfing/download speed for the prepaid packages is 3G/UMTS only, ie. 384kbps. Your modem may say it is connected at HSDPA/3.5G, but you can’t go beyond 384kbps.
- You can use up to 2 Gb for the 7 days, after which, your speed will be throttled down to 64kbps, at which time, it’s better to just throw the SIM away.
So, on to my experience. Activating the broadband facility was easy. It was done within a minute. The next step was purchasing the weekly prepaid broadband package – this was also very straightforward – activation was done within 2 minutes. Then off I went! I was online within 2 minutes of signing up. There was the occasional glitch – see the screenshot below – which I have encountered twice so far while trying to load a webpage when I slotted the SIM into a Sierra Wireless USB broadband modem. Now that I’ve switched the SIM into my Nokia 5800, I doubt I’ll see this page again unless I’m surfing using the web browser on the phone – which will be rare since it’s used primarily for my push email using System Seven’s application.
I will be updating my Twitter account with speedtest results over the course of the next 7 days while using this weekly prepaid broadband package from Celcom, so if you’re not following me on Twitter yet, now’s a good time to do so! Sign up for an account here, then follow me here.
Click here for the Celcom Prepaid Broadband webpage.
If there’s anything you want to know which I’ve not covered here, feel free to drop a comment! Some pictures of the starter pack for your enjoyment below. Click on the thumbnails for a bigger picture!
Olla.
Got myself a CBP too (Celcom Broadband Prepaid). So far so good. Constant 3G speed with upload of 80-100kbps. Only twice i did experience the “error code” thing (over a period of 2 weeks).
If you remember, i was the one who emailed you asking about the ping for my games ( L4D). hehe. CBP runs fine too on L4D with constant 200-300+ms. No lag what so ever. Btw, i end up now with Digi Explore and not MMI, and CBP as my back up if i need to travel outside KL.
Anyway, i did get a Celcom3gBlue (prepaid) too. Did subscribe the weekly unlimited on both prepaid. Realized that C3GB was prone to dc’s and error code compared to CBP. I was actually thinking of using my C3GB as my main prepaid internet since, at least i could get bonus points. Haha, but… at this stage, i would rather not having those bonus points. Couple of C3GB users complain too in LYN, CBP users, however are much happy with the services.
Here are things that i notice on both :
dl – roughly the same
up – CBP wins over with 80-110kbps, where as C3GB 20-40kbps
Steam download – CBP 40-45KB/s, C3GB 20-40KB/s
I wonder why CBP is more stable than C3GB? IS it because of its purely for internet with no sms n voice services, thus, better n stable connections.
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
May 1st, 2009 at 9:47 pm
@Rizal, good to know someone else is also testing Celcom’s Prepaid broadband services. So far, I can say it’s been a relatively good experience for me – of course not as fast as my 2 RM 50-monthly-D98-equivalent lines, but the experience has been quite pleasant. You can even get HSDPA in rural areas, although the weekly prepaid broadband package won’t support that
I’m beginning to dislike the DiGi packages. There could be potential hidden charges if one doesn’t keep close track of what one’s usage is. That is why I wrote an “open letter” to them on this blog telling them to reconsider what happens for the Discover and Explore packages when the customer hits the usage limit of the package they signed up for. Otherwise a lot of careless people are going to end up with a higher monthly bill to pay than they originally signed up for. A bit sneaky, in my opinion.
As for why CBP is “more stable” compared to the Celcom Blue product, only Celcom knows. Perhaps they’re on different “backend” systems, and Celcom wants to encourage its customers to use the Prepaid Broadband package when all they want is wireless broadband.
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@Olla,
Agreed on that hidden charge. Right now, i am keeping my eyes on my data usage. lol. At rm138 (if i exceed my 10gb allocated), i would be using additional 6gb more. Thus, rm138 will give me 16gb. But i dont want to go beyond my rm110 (yeah on a strict budget here.
). However, speed on Explore has been generous, a constant 1mbps instead of the likely average speed of 700kbps.
Yeah, i have an assumption that Celcom wants to encourage its customers to use CBP for wireless Broadband too. I even lend my CBP to my friend for testing. On thursday night, he was getting 400+kbps at Wangsa Maju. Weird. A user at Bukit Jambul, Penang, has a constant of 460kbps. I did get 400+ couple of times too. All i can say right now, CBP has been good. Oh, love Celcom’s CBP packaging too
.
p/s : nothing to do with CBP, but i think i ll try twitpic since i notice that you are using it. cool. I am using twitterfox, a mozilla plugin.
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dad and rizal
thank for your pin point.
my experience for celcom daily broadband :
currently i am using only celcom3gblue package ( i got 2 cards ) , it can do sms , calling ,and other which celcom 3GB cant do. like rival said can collect point.
but the result is bad , super slow and sudden no data stream , may be i am no luck in my area…( 3g broadband , i feel is a luck for reception ) , sometime got error page ,
as refer to rizal , i may throw away the c3gb , and use the CBP which may treated by celcom is first priority to serve…
i still keeping 2 package of C3GB with me, never use and try reason is for giving my oversea friend and business partner to use when he is in malaysia. but also worry , after he use it , he may tell other our broadband is loudsy..
i love malaysia , i dont like people to say bad on malaysia ,
because this is my born place , and my country.even i in oversea.
Dad , i would like to ask you something.
1. where you find the info on , this CBP cap at 2GB ? only for daily or weekly ? may be we can buy few pcs of CBP , when any is cap , we swap…. am i right ?
2. as your experience , which celco , still not really apply on capping or throttling , i guess only u mobile , how about maxis and other
3. how the celco , system work and application work on capping us , may be a kit of counting system ?
4. i dont understand you mention digi explore user , may end up a high bill , as i know the package , this is a maxi charge ?
thank rizal reminding , i will start using the CBP but not C3GB.
thank all
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
May 2nd, 2009 at 12:15 pm
@andy, so it looks like celcom broadband prepaid is a better choice for prepaid broadband eh? Answers to your questions:
(1) Refer here -> http://celcom.com.my/cep/xresources/CelcomCORP/broadband/html/contact_us.html -> “6. How much data volume is allocated for each subscriber?”
(2) none. All have fair usage policies. Those that do not implement it (yet) is Maxis for Maxis Mobile Internet, and U Mobile.
(3) the system measures data uploaded + downloaded. Once it reaches the limit, the system will limit the speed down to either 64kbps or 128kbps for Celcom, for example.
(4) DiGi Explore – RM 108, up to 10Gb. Beyond 10Gb, they charge an additional RM 0.05 for each 10 Mb, up to a maximum of RM 138 monthly. So, if you don’t monitor your usage closely, you may end up paying more than RM 108 even though you signed up for the RM 108 package!
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I just bough the broadband prepaid pack from blue cube. I’m currently subscribing to daily unlimited to test the performance. I was able to get 40++KB/s. But, it’s not very consistent and it’s not even loading pages or anything while it was rainning. Also, I’m not able to sign into MSN/WLM at all.
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rizal Reply:
May 3rd, 2009 at 12:18 am
tcmean,
I think with wireless, the weather plays partial part in getting stable connection, like Astro too I guess. Experience the same with Celcom Broadband, Celcom Prepaid and on Digi Broadband too.
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
May 3rd, 2009 at 12:21 pm
@rizal, like I said to tcmean above, for me, sometimes the weather plays a role, at other times, it’s got no impact on overall surfing speed and connection quality.
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
May 3rd, 2009 at 12:20 pm
@tcmean, if I understand you correctly, 40KB/s = 320kbps, which is rather good already. You can’t be expecting more, given the overhead with wireless transmission.
As for weather affecting the quality of the connection, my experience is that sometimes it will, other times it won’t. I’ve gotten really good, consistent speeds even when it was raining heavily!
MSN/WLM is a known issue. Install Pidgin (free) and your problem is solved.
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I made a test again just now and the result is disappointing. I was only able to get 40kbits/s for the download speed. The connection even died (not sending or receiving any data) while it’s connecting. Their so-called broadband service is still so unreliable. It’s a totally disappointment.
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
May 3rd, 2009 at 12:40 pm
@tcmean, 40KB/s if I understand correctly, as I mentioned above, is equivalent to around 320kbps, which is close to the theoretical maximum of 384kbps for the 3G upper limit bandwidth. As for connection dying, what were you downloading, and using which program? If you use a download manager/accelerator like FlashGet and Internet Download Manager then these software can retry the connection if it’s dropped. Also, read my post about my first test results using Celcom Broadband Prepaid. Sometimes changing gateways can help.
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tcmean Reply:
May 3rd, 2009 at 7:15 pm
It’s 40Kbits/s which is equivalent to 5KBytes/s. I was just surfing net and not downloading while the connection died. It’s not disconnection but not transmitting or receiving. I experienced this also about more than 1 year ago when Celcom has just launched their daily broadband service which cost RM8 per day. And after such a long time, it’s still dissapointing.
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
May 4th, 2009 at 1:06 am
@tcmean, my bad. And your speed is also bad!
It’s very slow! Either your area is congested with users, or the signal is weak. Have you made any complaints to Customer Service? You can also complain to the SKMM/MCMC for them to “force” Celcom to take remedial action – I’ve done it before.
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@tcmean
even , without raining , problem still there lah…
i also suffering same problem with you, may i know your location , i only can say use as a luck and backup.
if you need it for broadband use as a main , pls go for other telco , search around this site , and ask around , they provide good reference.
i am not in KL , my choice is limited , i cant take u mobile and digi broadband since not cover , if you in KL , u r much better than me.
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tcmean Reply:
May 3rd, 2009 at 9:04 pm
My location is in Penang, Bayan Lepas area which covered by HSDPA network. We’re not trying our luck like buying 4D. We pay for it but in return we get something that’s depending on luck.
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
May 4th, 2009 at 1:04 am
@tcmean, ouch, that is painful. Have you considered alternative broadband providers?
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tcmean Reply:
May 4th, 2009 at 9:50 am
I’m only buying the prepaid pack for testing. I’m currently on streamyx.
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
May 4th, 2009 at 10:00 am
@tcmean, I think you should stop testing! It’s a waste of money where you are!
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@tcmean
just now , just activated the CBP is giving me average of about 20-30 kbps , wow cant believe , ii love it .
my c3gb never give me this before. i suspect my c3gb is been capped and limited by celcom , which celcom never reset back to normal speed.
the next is have to monitor the throttling , daily unlimited is 1GB per month. if limited to 64kb , as dad said just throw away.
tcmean , i guess your CBP may be capped or throttled by celcom already. just buy other one and try it. since new number new package is fresh to try.
penang , i think coming soon to be a town of wireless city (like HK and singapore ) , which i hope too , but i stay in southern …cant enjoy it.
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
May 4th, 2009 at 1:04 am
@andy, I have hever had confidence in people saying they can blanket an entire city with WiFi. And if it’s free, how the h3ll are they going to make money? So many years after WiFi is available, TMNet only has a handful of hotspots covering the country. That should give you an indication of how difficult it is to cover a large area, and how expensive it can be. And until today, my parents’ area in Penang, next to the USM, still cannot see any free WiFi coverage. That is why I am very sceptical and don’t think it will happen.
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hi dad
a question to ask you ?
how do we know , or feel , our broadband services is already capped or throttling by our celco ?
–celcom note said – can CS ..
–use counter ( for me , is hard , i use about 3 machine on net and surfing )
– or by feeling ?
–or test speeh ?
any software , can help ?
as i do , if i know my broadband services is going throttling , i will swap for other card ,since the charge is the same….
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
May 4th, 2009 at 1:01 am
@andy, just do a speedtest here. If you are consistently getting below 64kbps, then you’ve been throttled. Easy. Some people have called Customer Service, and if you’re lucky, you may get an accurate answer from them. If you do, the next thing you should do is rush out to buy 4D, sure strike!
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Hi,
do we need to keep on top up after the each credit expired? If i do not top up, will they terminate my account?
Thanks.
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
May 26th, 2009 at 10:07 am
@csloo, no, you don’t have to keep paying or topping up. I believe the SIM card will stay active and valid for up to 90 days from the date of your last reload, but I can’t seem to find the information now on Celcom’s website. So, as long as you use it once, by subscribing to the daily unlimited or weekly unlimited plans, every 85 days or so, you should be safe. After that, your number will be recycled, ie. your account terminated. I think this policy applies to all their prepaid products.
[EDIT] Found the page -> http://www.celcom.com.my/cep/xresources/CelcomCORP/broadband/html/broadband_prepaid_how_to.html
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I’m intrested in celcom broadband prepaid. But in kelantan it’s rather hard to get it. Can I buy it in KL and use it in Kelantan ?
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
May 27th, 2009 at 9:29 am
@suhaimi, yes you can. But make sure to check for Celcom 3G signal where you want to use it first. It’s easiest to check using a 3G handphone, if you see a Celcom 3G network there, it’s likely you will be able to use it. Use manual network scan to search for it on the phone if you’re not using Celcom
And make sure you get the Celcom Broadband Prepaid starter pack from a BlueCube centre – the others don’t work so well, apparently…
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To check to see if your place is covered by GPRS, 3G, HSDPA; you can use the following mechanics.
1. go to: http://www.celcom.com.my/broadband/speedometer
2. Use SMS via your Celcom line:
a. broadband here
b. broadband
Send to 21122
For CBP, Daily Unlimited, you will get throttled when you exceed 1Gb
On Weekly Unlimited, you will get throttled when you exceed 2Gb
Once you are throttled, it will reduce your speed from 384 kbps to 64 kbps.
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hi,use wat usb modem fast dowload in celcom pepaid broadband?tell me dowload speed per second thx ?
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
August 3rd, 2009 at 12:07 am
@teoh, you can try Sierra Wireless branded USB modems. They’re widely available online. Prepaid broadband is limited to 3G speeds, ie. 384kbps. Read up on the difference between bits and bytes, please.
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d68 with vodafone usb modem sux big time at wangsa maju desa setapak … cant even stream for youtube and waiting google pages load for ages.. any online game is impossible and even messenger is not stable…. chances to get dc is rocket high … hey, i paid for a service just slightly better than dial up????
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
August 4th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
@John, MSN is practically unusable on Celcom, you have to use software like Pidgin instead. And I believe the prepaid customers are allocated a lower priority than postpaid customers. Not to mention that the speed is only limited to 3G, ie. 384kbps only. And most wireless broadband services cannot be used for most online games requiring good latency.
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slow like siput ?? worse than that
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oh, one more thing, celcom broadband prepaid cant even sign up for any of the messenger at my area…. so forget about surfing n its internet services…..
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I am planning to subscribe broadband service and which one can perform better and have a faster data transfer rate? Digi or Celcom? I am currently staying in Kota Bharu, Kelantan.
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
August 9th, 2009 at 12:12 am
@ef7389, I honestly do not know. You need to test, every location will be different. What may be good in KL may not be good in Kelantan. Even different places within the same state may have difference experiences. The problem is, the prepaid service of Celcom is only limited to 3G speeds, ie. max 384kbps. With DiGi, I am not sure their 3G service has reached Kelantan yet, have you checked the coverage area to make sure you are covered? The only thing to do is to take a chance – subscribe to one celco – make sure you don’t take the contract version – so if you’re not happy you can always cancel and try another one. Try until you find one that satisfies you. That is all the advice I can give. But for now, I can say that because DiGi is new, I think their service will be more reliable and perhaps faster than Celcom’s. Again, this is my feeling, and not a fact.
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plese give me starter pack
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
August 27th, 2009 at 12:57 am
@hussin, give? This is no charity man! You need to buy it!
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Pingback: Maxis 3G vs Celcom 3G – Both Slow?
I have been using both celcom prepaid bb weekly pack and maxis weekly. Maxis is 25 RM per week but i get 3g. Speedtest was 1.9MBps download.
Whenever i use celcom, i get this blank page with a blue line that says system error. but not with maxis. then i have to click refresh about 20 times and then the webpage appears. this happens like evry 20-30 minutes. with maxis no problem.
has anyone experience that? do you know what is the problem?
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
September 23rd, 2009 at 10:18 am
@Joseph, I used the dedicated Celcom prepaid broadband starter SIM pack, didn’t give me any problems. I read on the net that if you use other SIMs, they will give rise to problems like you’ve mentioned
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where i can get colcom broadband prepaid in kelantan
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
October 20th, 2009 at 12:53 am
@zzrq, firstly, check that there is coverage. Then visit any Celcom retailer in Kelantan?
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What the…. No wonder my connection speed is soooo terribly slow! From download speed of 40 KBps+ to 5 KBps+! At first I though it was my operating system problem so I don’t hesitately reformat it and reinstall Windows XP but no luck. Why don’t they tell us at the first place?
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:40 am
@Adrian, unfortunately, such is the state of wireless broadband – when more users get on board and network capacity is not upgraded, service quality suffers.
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look this celcom broadban signal and speed at http://www.youtube.com/v/qNOPEX7IyIY?hl=en_US&fs=1
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
March 7th, 2010 at 10:09 am
@trytest, wow, that modem is definitely placed very high, I wonder how the user managed to retain the signal with such a long USB cable…I’m half thinking it may be a fake…
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