I just switched to become a freelance months ago. So I opt to the mobile broadband, and travel a lot across Malaysia. Then I got sick and got diarrhea, not sure if it is colon cleansers that working or I got a minor food poisoned. Speaking of Malaysia broadband, I seriously have no idea how to describe anymore. Of course, by counting the ISP, you can have a lot of them, but stability and friendliness?

Recently due to my girlfriend who is going to use my laptop for a few weeks, so we hooked up with Windows XP again. By looking at my Celcom broadband statistic, I must say, I am quite impress but not respect. These are why!

Impressed: Stability

So far Celcom broadband gave me the most stable broadband I’ve experience. Not even Streamyx (wired broadband) can provide. I tested at Kota Bharu, Kuala Terengganu, Kuala Lumpur, Puchong, Perhentian Island and some villages across the east coast. Celcom runs well in all these location

Impressed: Friendly user

Almost like plug and play. Install the mobile partner software and connect. That’s all. I even tried on using my Nokia E71 as the modem as well as using my Nokia E71 as internet device. Not a problem at all

No respect: Speed not as promised

I was promised to have up to 3.5mbps to 7.2mbps, normally I would expect at least 900kbps to 2mbps. I only get 50kbps to 80kbps the best. Not even close to the minimum speed they promised.

No respect: SIM Card error

I get a few times SIM card error. I’m still not clear why this happen though. Whenever I come across to unable to connect with an error 619. I will just replace the SIM card onto a mobile phone and tried to online or make call (though it is impossible), then only it would connect. It’s like giving them SIM card a boost. Still no idea…

Of course, I would keep this modem for myself only. Since there is no contract, I can terminate anytime I want. Until I need to travel, I think once I settle down, I don’t need this connection anymore

It came to my mind when Malaysia politician starting to play onlien portal and online weblog. Is Malaysia ready for broadband? Not exactly, no.

Monopoly

Let’s be clearer, wired broadband only done by TMNet, Streamyx. Not only it doesn’t have any competitor, it is also government owned company. With current corrupted politic scene, I believe I don’t need to elaborate too much on this one.

Limited demand made no progress

Malaysia laws has a lot of grey area. Nobody want to step into the laws, not because Malaysian are kind-hearted, it is because you can’t get anything back even years. Most broadband users I know just put patient on the first line, not to even call for support, because we all know that it is useless.

I have had enough with Malaysia broadband, I really do feel helpless, I tried Streamyx, Celcom and P1, none of their connection are close to “stable”. Seriously, if not because of Malaysia passport that can go around the World, I would dump it and went for another better country. Bet you not, Indonesia broadband is way better than Malaysia, though they are still a little expensive. But hey, they are much more stable than any of Malaysia broadband, still worth it.

I registered my Celcom broadband about mid of last month. The connection was nice while I was at Perhentian Island, I thought to myself that this is the one that I am looking for, can’t complain much because of the mobility it provide. But as soon as I came back home after the trip, it’s a whole new story.

First I made call into careline, nobody pick up. Never mind, I made a few call until someone picked up and told them that I get disconnect on authorisation, but was bounce back with “reset” on their side. I sent 2 mails to their careline only one get replied, after 5 days of the replied email, the careline called back and told me to wait patiently for 1 to 2 weeks time.

I admit that cellular phones that Celcom promoting is very attractive. But I wonder how they (Celcom) actually treat their customer? Honestly 1 to 2 weeks is a long period considering a monthly re-payment that I pay, it is close to half month, and I need to wait that long and pay the same fee?

After my fresh installation of Ubuntu, I need not setup anything about my Celcom broadband. I thought I was in good possition and both Celcom and Ubuntu has been a Heeaven for me, but the story don’t go like that. I’m currently facing some connecting problem, not connection. My idea about this issue is on Celcom, not Ubuntu. These are why…

Blue LED is on

But it just not connecting. Ubuntu works for the first few weeks and after that it just not working with Celcom, and the warning just shows that cannot establish connection.

Disconnection warning pop up

After a minutee3 or so, the pop-up warning came in. I am now feeling it’s very annoying. I did not encounter this problem since my fresh installation. And now it suddenly comes out.

I am a little fed up with Ubuntu and Celcom. I think sooner or later, I might go back to all the basic. Windowsx XP + Streamyx and done my frustration with all those setting and etc and stop learning anything new at the moment. Especially Operating System which really time consuming

Currently I am having a great vacation on the beach side. Staying in a wooden camp with free buffet all the meals, I have to say, this is the Heaven of all

Since I am a freelance web designer, also a blogger (though I am not a pro at this yet) I need to finish some tasks every now and then. This is the bugging part of being a freelancer Well, I am still happy become one. Luckily I’ve already planned to register a mobile broadband, just in case I am out station and I can online anywhere. Celcom, one of the widest and best mobile broadband, recommended by lots of people

I don’t know how truth it was that Celcom broadband can be setup to use only HSDPA or WCDMA speed, doesn’t matter where you are or if you exceed 5GB bandwidth. They said this can help improve stability and a certain speed anytime anywhere. So I hook up with the 3G USD stick modem and check into it…

Currently I’m in a famous tourist island, which I reckon there should have the best of everything. So running with WCDMA and HSDPA speed here is not something to be surprise. But back in Puchong, that is where the test begin Another few more days to go