Talking

When I was in Malacca,I brought my laptop with me.So I could check emails and update Facebook on time.However,the hotel I stayed is without free usage of WIFI.I had to use my Google Nexus One as a modem connecting to my laptop to surf internet through DiGi’s network.

DiGi has a wide coverage of EDGE,the 2.75G network which is able to provide the downlink speed up to 144Kbps in my experience.However,it could not be suitable to load most websites fast because nowadays those fancy pages always embed with flash and pictures where the size is easily over 1MBytes,meaning that I have to wait at least 10 seconds for each page.I can’t imagine how I could watch a YouTube video or play some Facebook games by using such a wireless service.

I hope when I visit Malacca next time,I could enjoy 3G connection there.Do you hear me,DiGi?

My Google Nexus One finally is in my hands.It takes one week flying from USA to Malaysia.Actually it may not need such a long time by courier service.However,when it reached Malaysia,it was detained by custom because by law any imported telecommunication products to Malaysia should have SIRIM approval.So I have to apply a special approval there to let the custom release my cell phone.

Turning to the topic.I like this phone very much after using it for several hours.It’s so powerful that anything you want to do on the move,you could do in this capable Android phone.

The hardest thing to me is to set up MMS and GPRS/EDGE/3G connection in the cell phone as there is no automatic configuration from DiGi.Frankly speaking,till now I yet don’t know how I solved the issue.

Nexus One has 1Ghz Snapdragon CPU inside.I feel it could be also treated as a super-portable computer.The Android market has around 10,000 apps there and the number is increasing dramatically.

For me,I now hope that ‘Turn-by-Turn Navigation’ in Google Maps could be worked in non-US countries as soon as possible.

Well,I have to take more days to learn how to play it ,not being played by the phone.

Why could I say that?Because I saw some small changes on DiGi Broadband coverage page there.

I found that DiGi silently improves the existing coverage while expanding the broadband service to a much wider area.At the same time,they are planning to open voice service on their 3G network too.The little trick in the coverage page may imply that 3G voice service is just waiting for a better time to be officially released.

If DiGi could make the coverage better than Maxis for both indoor and outdoor and make the broadband service friendly with those family users(not for personal use only).I think I will transfer my line then.

DiGi,don’t let me upset.

Update:I get some updates from DiGi in Facebook channel.

• Q:I still doubt what is the difference between DiGi 3G broadband and DiGi Turbo 3G.Any explanation?
• A:DiGi Turbo 3G is our 14.4Mbps HSPA network. Now available for computers (DiGi Broadband) and phones (DiGi 3G).

• Q:That means DiGi has open up 3G voice service?!When will HSPA network be available in Klang Valley area?
• A:3G voice & data for phones now available, will launch in Klang Valley soon.

I know that DiGi Broadband performs quite well according to the feedbacks from existing users(at least the actual speed is above the said standard).However,I have no plans to use it yet because DiGi Broadband has the following weakness:

1.High monthly charge with limits on usage

I always watch online TV and download files,so Discover and Explore plan will not suitable to me because of the low usage limits.However,Extreme plan could cost me RM188 monthly,compared to TM Streamyx 4M combo which only costs RM160 monthly.Furthermore,the top plan just provides 20GB monthly and after this the download speed would be cut at 256Kbps.I don’t think I could control my usage within this volume.

2.Stability

Because DiGi Broadband is using 3G technology,it’s wireless.Thus,the strength of signal affects the speed and latency.As we all know,many factors may affect the signal,such as weather,structure of rooms,coverage etc. and it would make the fluctuations on speeds,even a super high latency.I’m sure that will be a nightmare for a online gamer.

3.High cost to get a 3G router to share the connection

Currently I have one desktop,one laptop and one smart phone which always access the Internet at the same time.That means if I want to subscribe DiGi Broadband,I have to buy a 3G router which is able to let me share the connection to all devices.I find that a 3G router recently is still pricing quite high(around RM250-400).

I refuse DiGi Broadband because of the above 3 points.I believe a great number of people have the same worries just like me.I wish DiGi could see it and figure out some solutions as that will be the only way to grow the service.

Yesterday I got a piece of surprising news from Lowyat.net that some DiGi users had successfully made a 3G video call to other network users.

As we all know that DiGi is the only mobile service provider in Malaysia which only applies 3G technology on data service,a.k.a DiGi Broadband.I also heard that DiGi will open the 3G infrastructure to voice service in weeks.So perhaps in some areas or for some existing users,DiGi is doing some secret testing there recently.However,there’s no official news to express on this stuff yet.

Besides,some DiGi users did some bandwidth tests on their iPhone and found an amazing result-1.72Mbps for downstream.

The result is definitely impressive.But if DiGi could do some more enhancements to reduce the crazy latency and increase the upload speed(>512Kbps),it could surely attract more and more people for its broadband service.Let’s pray for it!