Available broadband services for Kuching and coming up provider

Many friends of mine asking me which broadband services are better in Kuching. Of course, better means:

reasonable price + fast speed + stable connection + wide coverage.

To be honest, none of our broadband service provider fulfill this requirement, why? Read:

  • Fast speed?
    The fastest we have for home user is 2.4 Mbps max, compare with other countries  it is not fast, but acceptable if you just use it for surfing, play games, read email, download stuff, video streaming. Of course, you can’t do all these together.
  • Reasonable price?
    Man, those price are not reasonable to me, our neighborhood – Singapore Starhub/SingTel provide home user for 3 Mbps as basic, and only charging them less than SGD 30 per month, you tell me, do we have a reasonable price from our local broadband service provider?
  • Stable connection.
    So far from my experience, i only get very stable connection is during at midnight with TM Net streamyx, not day time sorry.
  • Wide coverage.
    For Kuching, TM Net Streamyx is widest! Because only one choice and they are using fix line. The rest? Hmm… they will tell you they are expending their coverage, but i heard it 2 years ago, so far i don’t see any improvement.

By the way, I try not to be so sarcastic by mocking their services etc, since I’m staying in Kuching now, what can i expect? A borneo, a rainforest, a small city that only part of the Malaysia (East Malaysia, make sure you know geography and where Sarawak is in the Map)

Below are some  broadband service provider you may have to keep your eyes watching and find out more about their price, services and their coverage/availability for Kuching. (Sequence is not ranking).

Digi Broadband

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New Digi Broadband are not available in Kuching yet, but i read their comparison page, only “Discover” plan can be consider for normal home user. At the moment only EDGE available for Kuching user, EDGE is very slow, you only can get around 180kbps, even they said the speed is up to 384kbps but it never happen.

Celcom 3G/3.5G

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I used 3G before in Kuching last year, during that time the coverage is not wide enough, area like Kota Samarahan, Matang, Batu Kawa, above 9 miles area are not under 3G coverage, end up automatically switch to GPRS mode. What about 3.5G? From my experiences with 3.5G, only town area like Permata Carpark, Hilton area are under 3.5G coverage, the rest, depend your luck. Also, is difficult to get better signal when you are inside a building.

Maxis 3G

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Don’t know why, may be i have a bad experience with Maxis services, i don’t really like Maxis, however, they do provide a 3G services in Kuching, and i read from their price page , it seems like if you are someone who just want to use 3G data service for sometime, may be can consider their 5MB monthly usage plan for RM8. Still, unlimited is RM99, but even it is unlimited, you may have to read the terms and conditions, from what i heard they limited usage for 2GB.

TM Net Streamyx

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Man…i don’t think i have to write anything for this, they are well known…(not positive well known). But still, among all, it is still the fastest and affordable price for home user. But fixed line only. For the latest promotion “Combo”, it is not really “mobility”, unless you know where Streamyx Zone area, but i find it is hard to locate. By the way, i have a very very very bad experience with them, but i have no other choice at the moment. Until there is some ISP services really can’t beat them in Kuching, otherwise i don’t think there is better option.

Deconnecxion

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Deconnection by Danawa Resources Sdn. Bhd., which provided wireless broadband for free (2 years) on selected area. Current coverage in Kuching is OneTJ buidling, Jalan Stampin to 3rd mile area (near NAIM Twin Tower area). The connection speed is 384kbps, acceptable for web surfing. Since it is free, i do not want to comment about it.

Redtone WiMax

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The only WiMax provider in Sarawak, launching few days ago, but seems like is targeting for business user, home user unless you willing to spend RM138 for  1Mbps wireless broadband.

Others

P1 WiMax

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Another popular WiMax provider in west Malaysia, Is not available in Kuching yet, but very competitive price and services compare with others, really hope they can launch in Sarawak.

Jaring Broadband

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What about Jaring? Can anyone tell me they are still using Jaring in Kuching? Kuching can only use Jaring dial-up.
there did provided broadband services, but only for west Malaysia. Very limited.

Hen

Co founder of Hen Design Studio, more than 10 years experiences in website design & development. Apple fans but not Steve Jobs' worshiper.

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  • http://www.ec4studio.com/blog Edwin

    Hen my school is Jaring^^ haha

  • http://henstudio.com Hen

    oh really? But even it is, they only provide for school, government etc. Not home user.

  • thanks

    I found your post very useful. Didn’t know about redtone! Am currently using celcom 3g. Before that, I used digi which was stable (less people) but slow. Thanks for sharing this info.

    • http://henstudio.com Hen

      U r welcome, for redtone you can go One TJ find out more, is not really “portable” haha.

  • Faith

    Hi Henry,
    Your post is helpful. I am currently looking for other Broadband service provider because I am not sure how long I can put up with Streamyx if they’re not getting any better.

    Thanks for sharing with us.

    God Bless

    • http://henstudio.com Hen

      You are welcome, hopefully there are competitors around, otherwise, that orange and blue colors ISP always think they are the best, actually people have no choice.

      If RedTone WiMax can lower down their price, and maintain their speed in the future, i think many of us will switch.

  • Faith

    This has nothing to do with the brief broadband comparison you wrote:

    This piece of witty code made me laugh and I agree with you!!

    if(love == empty)
    { need.Jesus = true;}
    else
    { noOneCanHelp = true;}
    God Bless

    • http://henstudio.com Hen

      ha, not many people notice that i think. But i noticed my logic seems like not really correct, i should put:

      if(noOneCanHelp = true)
      { need.Jesus = true;}
      else
      { noOneCanHelp = true;}

      Then this logic will always work for those who need help, haha.

  • John

    Hi Hen, 28 sept 2009
    I find your blog very useful, as I am quite frustrated over the broadband/3G etc here in Kuching. As a westerner comming back to Kuching recently I found that the internet connection is worse than it was a few years ago. I have tried streamyx and celcom 3G / 99,- and the speed just sucks. Almost everywhere else there is home use of speed from 8MB up to like 100MB etc. and very smooth. Comming back its like being hit in the head and not moving when surfing and especially if you want to upload.
    Some years ago, then streamyx was sort of ok, but then I guess that not so many was using it.
    I believe that locals really have to start making comments in public papers etc, so something can be done. Either government fundings or more competition, but I guess that that Sarawak is too small for other companies to come in.

    Its not enough for Malaysia to just say, yes we have broadband, handphones and other electronics like other countries, but Malaysia also have to improve all the time in order to follow the rest. Otherwise we will be hopeless behind still.

    There has to be action behind YES WE CAN as malaysia keep on saying.

    I encourage some locals to make real public awareness, so someone one day take action and maybe we will get better internet connections. Anyway – worth a try.

    And Hen. You are doing it already with this blog here. I Salute you… but this need more awareness to the public, even when they know already.

    Cheers

    • http://henstudio.com Hen

      Hi John, thank you, i believe there are lots of users same as me, who really need faster and stable internet connection, yet do not have much choice, unless willing to pay more, but it’s sound unreasonable by paying more than 200 monthly, yet only get 2-4MB connection speed.

      Sometime I don’t really understand why there is only one bridge distance from our neighborhood, but there are so much different between these two countries.

      Let just pray and hope there is a better option or competitor raise to beat

  • http://www.cbuy.us Alexius

    I’m using Jaring frequently, but it’s in the office of our company. The speed is Awesome. An average download speed was 200 KB/s – 300 KB/s. Sometimes it can hit an average of 600 KB/s – 900 KB/s for some high speed websites like quicktime.com, softpedia.com or blizzard.com.

  • Anthony Laput

    Hi Hen. I’m Dr. Anthony Laput from the Philippines… I’ll be going your country next month to visit my friend from Sarawak General Hospital. Do you know any ISP that gives services to foreigners even for a short stay? Any pre-paid plans? Thanks!

    • http://henstudio.com Hen

      Hi Dr. Anthony, at the moment the ISP that provide prepaid plan with 3G broadband services, only Digi and Celcom. You can goto any mobile outlet/store and buy it. You only need to present your IC/password for registration. It only cost your less than RM10 for the SIM card.

      For Celcom prepaid daily broadband (24 hour). It cost RM6, send “Broadband Daily” to 28882.
      For Celcom prepaid weely broadband (7 day). It cost RM20, send “Broadband Weekly” to 28882.

      For Digi daily unlimited broadband, send “WEB” to 2016.

      Find out more here:
      Celcome : http://www.xpax.com.my/broadband.html
      Digi : http://www.digi.com.my/internet/3g/pricing_payu.html

      Celcom 3G have a better and wide coverage, but sometime have a poor connection quality.
      Digi Broadband at the moment have a limited coverage, most are town area. But connection seems promising.
      Hope you find this info is useful.

      • Anthony Laput

        Thank you very much for the info Hen! Anyways off topic… Do you know any hotel near Sarawak General Hospital? Walking distance and good service… Hope you don’t mind me asking… Thanks!

        • http://henstudio.com Hen

          Hope I’m not too late, if u want near one there is one just opposite of the General Hospital, but service good or not I’m not sure

      • Anthony Laput

        Hi there Hen Good morning! Nope your not yet late! :o ) Will be arriving Kuching tomorrow… Anyways can i ask 2 last questions? :o ) Where is the best place to shop for basic things like SIM cards and a little clothes… I pack light and i would just want to buy clothes in my destination… Thanks for all the info hen!

      • http://henstudio.com Hen

        SIM card..hmm, i would says if you looking for mobile phone and stuff like that, Wisma saberkas is the best place, it just near GH (General Hospital) with walking distance.
        Location Map : http://bit.ly/anaweO

        For clothes, that is really depend what kind of clothes you looking for, however, tHe Spring shopping mall will be the best to shop all kinds of clothes Map : http://bit.ly/9CNJUe

        Hope you find this info is useful. (And not too late~)

      • anthony laput

        Hi Hen… You’ve been very helpful! Thank you very much!… I’m enjoying my stay here in Kuching! Take care!

  • Bea

    Re; at the moment the ISP that provide prepaid plan with 3G broadband services, only Digi and Celcom.

    My understanding from their websites is that you can use the services using a 3G handphone, not with a laptop or other computer, hence the SIM card. Can someone tell me if the Digi or Celcom 3G broadband services can be used with laptop? If so, how? Thanks!.

    • http://henstudio.com Hen

      Hi Bea,

      Not really, you can use their broadband with any device, unless the plan that you apply is only eligible for certain device, then you may not use it with other device.

      Otherwise, usually there will be no restriction for what device you use to connect. I’m using Digi Broadband now, is prepaid, and pretty simple and straight forward.

      I find it is much much better and simple than Celcom 3G prepaid. Go and give a try, buy either Celcom3G prepaid or Digi Broadband Prepaid and give a trial run, see which one is good in your area.

      Because they all have a common problem, limited by coverage. But it just matter of time when they will expand the coverage. From my personal experience, i find Digi Broadband is much much better

  • Bea

    Thanks Hen! You have been very helpful!

    Unfortunately my handphone is not 3G/3GS or compatible. :( Will have to get a new one. :)

    • http://henstudio.com Hen

      By the way, perhaps you can consider to buy Digi Broadband prepaid, and buy another 3G modem, just plug and go~ now 3G modem is very cheap. less than RM180 can get one

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