U Mobile is facing major failure(now recovering…)

As U Mobile customer,I felt quite happy with it.It deployed 42Mbps HSPA+ network base stations in major cities in Malaysia and keep expanding its coverage,also providing competitive prepaid and postpaid plans.However,the major outage happened today is a sort of disaster.

Since this morning,some U Mobile users started to complain that they can’t make or receive any calls or sms and several hours later,more users complained on the same issue.Finally U Mobile made a publish announcement through all channels:Facebook,twitter and its official website.

It’s not good enough.U Mobile didn’t give out any updates on how the progress is and when the service could be resumed.As mobile communication has been a very important communication method and when it disrupts,it could lead some great losses to the users.U Mobile should have a backup plan to minimize the effects,but sadly they don’t have.

Well,now I just hope my mobile phone can get into the service as soon as possible.

[Update] About 10 mins ago,some users reported that they can finally make/receive calls and sms,but somebody still has problems on roaming on Celcom 2G.I think the recovery is working in progress.Yet,no detailed explanation was given by U Mobile.

[CONFIRMED]Microsoft is on the way to eat Skype

Frankly speaking,when I first time heard this news,I thought this is a joke.I mean how hard you could link a software giant special in OS and word processing software with a VOIP solution company.After I dig deeper,I find that’s possible as Microsoft has Windows Live Messenger which could count in the same field.Currently,some sources now have claimed that Microsoft had offered a price between US8-9 billion to acquire Skype.

I like Skype very much as I always use it contacting with friends and family far away from me.It could provide a clear voice and video communication with their unique compressing technology,it even could work quite fine in a low bandwidth environment when other chatting tools are failed.

Skype currently could earn US600 million yearly and most of the income source is company customer.The competition never stops in this area.Google has Google voice and Google Talk and just introduced video chatting recently;Rumour from Facebook said Facebook is researching on adding voice chat function in the website;a lot of apps now are supporting video chatting on iOS/Android devices.

I think Microsoft wants to get Skype to integrate with its Windows Live Messenger to enhance the experience on voice/video chatting as well as making it an income generator.Who knows?Just wait Microsoft to come out to clarify all. :)

[UPDATE]

No more rumours,Microsoft has confirmed to buy Skype at US8.5billion.

Strong suggestions to Umobile

I’ve used Umobile‘s service for 3 weeks.The overall experience is quite good,however,there are still some spaces to improve.

1.Umobile is not supporting 5-digit special number.

Many banks and government services use special 5-digit to communicate with existing stakeholders.Well,I find that I can’t send through sms to 39222 to make complaint to Sysbas or 32300 to OSK investment bank alerting service.It could cause some inconvenience to me and I’ve realized that I’m not alone as quite a number of Umobile customers complained about it before.I hope Umobile could support 5-digit special number as soon as possible.I think it’s essential work to be completed by a qualified mobile service provider.

2.Umobile has an inefficient hotline in the night time.

I called Umobile hotline 0183881318 at around 10pm several days ago.I hold the line for 1 hour and the voice in the phone was keeping saying that all operators were busy at the moment.I’m wondering whether they have officers providing service during the night.Good thing is the hotline line is free of charge.However,my time is valuable too.

3.Data roaming in Celcom 2G network always had problems.

I feel glad that finally Umobile users(not U broadband users) could enjoy data roaming on Celcom 2G network now.Unfortunately,it does not run well at the moment.I tried to get 2G data connection when travelling to outstations,sometimes if I was lucky enough,I could get EDGE connection although the speed is slow,but better than nothing.However,I was not always that lucky,7 over 10 times,I failed to get 2G data connection.I tested in my Nexus One and Nokia 5800XM,all show the same issues.In this case,I’m not alone too.I know many Umobile users face the same problem too.

I heard that Umobile is targeting to be one of the mainstream mobile service provider in Malaysia by 2012.Well,without solving the above issues,that could be only in a dream.Wake up,Umobile!

Fifth Progess Update of ETP in Malaysia(with details!)

Today Malaysian PM Najib will release more information about ETP,expectedly some new projects will be announced.

It will start at 12:30pm and the official website will make it live to public by twitter.If you’re aware of the future of Malaysia,please follow them to get the updates or just visit the website to watch in the widget there.

Update: The announcement has been completed.Here are the details gathered from official media:

Continue reading

I like reading Personal Money

I have the interest of reading books and financial magazines when I’m free.I think reading is a perfect way to study things and remind ourselves of applying the knowledge to our daily lives.

Personal Money is a good local financial magazine under The Edge which always has discussions about the simple investments,the strategy,the concept of saving money etc and so I can keep my track of growing up my family fund by a right way.I believe the difference between a rich man and a poor man is of their thoughts.Thus,learning towards richness is definitely necessary.

I hope my friends could also know it and learn it from Personal Money.It’s monthly published and only RM9.00 if you are in Peninsular Malaysia.