Curious about how new telco U Mobile’s recently launched mobile Internet service fare in terms of speed and reliability, I reckon a service review was in order.
A couple of email later, a DVD case containing a thin and small USB modem, a data sim card, and two USB cables of different length with a CD-ROM arrived in good order.
Called “Surf with U”, the service unlike other competing services runs exclusively on U Mobile’s HSDPA network which is currently only available in the Klang Valley with over 700 locations covering areas like Petaling Jaya, Cheras, Subang, Ampang, Gombak, Kajang, Klang and Puchong. This means, users can get faster access to the Internet via the 3.5G network of up to 3.6Mbps, claims the telco with that fat and cute “U” as its logo. It also claims that “Surf with U” is one the most affordable mobile Internet plans in the market today at RM78.00 per month for up to 3.6Mbps data speed.
Even with limited high-speed mobile broadband coverage in Klang Valley, the response within the first week of launch has been tremendous, says U Mobile in an email interview. “We ran out of stock for the USB modems, it’s something we didn’t anticipate but also a good problem to have”. By end of this year, the service is expected to expand full coverage for Klang Valley, Johor Bahru, Malacca, Penang island and Ipoh.
Getting Started
Setting up the USB modem that is compatible with Windows and Mac OS X was a real breeze—install the software dialer with the included CD-ROM, plug in the USB modem to the laptop, launch the dialer, key in the default password and the modem automatically detects U Mobile’s HSDPA network.
Just click “Connect” and the dialer latches on the high-speed network almost instantly and viola! You can surf to your heart’s content. Well, almost. According to U Mobile, there is a 5GB data limit per month for each user. For most users, 5GB limit per month suffices for surfing the Net and downloading email on the go. However, heavy users may find the limit a little unbearable.“ We acknowledge that there are some concerns with regards to the 5GB limit and we are working on how we can increase the limit but at the same time, be able to curb abuse of bandwidth by irresponsible Net users”, says U Mobile.
Need for Speed
I tested the service at various parts of Kuala Lumpur. At KLCC area, at the time of writing, I only managed to get an erratic speed between 200Kbps and 400Kbps, nothing close to the claimed best average speed of 1.8Mbps. Surfing news sites, checking and sending email were generally smooth but conducting a Skype call with video and watching the latest clips on YouTube were not that hopeful.
Next, I moved to Taman Segar, Cheras where I live. At full bar on HSDPA network, the webpages were still snailing at less than 50Kbps. My teh tarik at the nearby mamak came faster than the webpages. A quick phone chat with U Mobile confirmed that they were having some “capacity issues” (due to popular demands?) and they will be resolved “within the next 2-3 weeks”.
Despite these and backed by the new telco’s full commitment to improve the service, “Surf with U” is surely one mobile Internet plan to consider, thanks to its 8-day money back guarantee (RM50.00 is all you need to try it out) because the service has its potential to grow steadier with increased capacity and bandwidth. Let the folks at U Mobile, backed by KT Freetel of South Korea and NTT DoCoMo of Japan, deliver what they set to do, as evident in their recent launch of their new postpaid voice plans, and according to sources, a new prepaid plan by the second half of this year.
Pricing: RM78.00/month (+RM50 one-time activation fee)
Contract Period: 24 months
Network Speed: Best Average 1.8Mbps, Best Effort 3.6Mbps
Hardware included: HSDPA USB Modem-ZTE MF622 with pre-configured U Mobile settings and interface for quick plug and play
Other Features: 8-day money back guarantee, Early-termination option
The moment the lights went off and the first note of music filled the age-old Stadium Merdeka, everyone was already gearing up (thanks to the Mexican waves!) for one of the most powerful concerts in recent months.
I had goosebumps the first 10 minutes listening to Celine opening the show with "I Drove All Night" and by the time she sang "Because You Loved Me", I had tears in my eyes because her soulful voice--clear, powerful and full of emotions--grabbed me in complete awe. I know, call me emotional but what the heck, I cry if I feel like it and I ain't shy about it..:)
Song after song, Celine continued to mesmerise and without much doubt, she remained as humble and courteous as she has always been portrayed in the media when she welcomed the King and Queen of Malaysia at the start of the concert.
One of my favourite moments was when she knelt and emotionally sang the Linda Perry-penned "My Love", singing without a single musical accompaniment in the beginning, progressing to soft melodies and finally ending on a softer note..just the right amount of love..:)
The final encore came in the form of movie scenes from the blockbuster Titanic movie being flashed onto the 3 big screens on the stage resulting in loud cheers from the appreciative audience who must have been dying to hear her belt out this ballad live. I was jumping with joy (along with most people actually!) when the flutist scored the familiar haunting tune of "My Heart Will Go On", and by the time she appeared in a flowy yellow gown (her only costume change), everyone was in full karaoke mood for a final sing-along session.
Yes, indeed, many hearts will go on for Ms Celine Dion for she has delivered a night to remember for many of her fans. As she and her entourage and dancers took the final bow for the night, I just can't help but felt a deeper respect for her music, songs and most importantly, for who she is--a beautiful mother and wife who goes all her way to touch the lives of her husband and son, not forgetting her fans from around the world.
Just started skipping rope in the gym as part of my cardio exercises. The first few times I failed to catch the momentum of skipping and jumping, but later it became more comfortable. Skipping rope is actually quite fun!
Am learning to skip without fail for 100 times, and slowly increase to 150, and so forth. Perhaps later can try to cross-skip and perform more tricks to challenge myself..:)
Through World Vision Malaysia (www.worldvision.com.my), I have just started to provide monetary sponsorship to a 12-year old boy from Kapur, Ranong, Thailand.
His name is Supachai Sawetsin, born 13 Dec 1996. Supachai lives with his parents who are farmers at Kapur whose community is recovering from the devastating effects of the tsunami. The area is among the least developed in Thailand, so recovery has been slow and difficult.
I feel so happy to receive my sponsorship kit early this week and have the chance to see how he looks like. Isn't he a cute little boy? His favourite subject is the national Thai language and he helps his family to sweep the ground. Supachai has another brother and sister.
Through my sponsorship, clean water, better healthcare and education can be provided to Supachai. I reckon if a couple of hundred ringgit per year can help him to lead a better life, I would sponsor more children in the near future.
For now, I plan to write to him and introduce myself. Perhaps soon, I can make a trip to the deep province of Ranong to visit him and his family.
May God continually bless Supachai and his family always...:)
This April, I will begin to freelance for New Straits Times's weekly Tech & U pull-out, and thus, begin to write more "professionally" for a wider audience, again.
When I was working full-time in NST few years back, I co-managed a weekly column called "Mobile Matters" in the then Computimes, talking and discussing about mobile computing trends from phone reviews to the latest laptops and anything in between. I really enjoyed talking to people from all walks of life whose lifestyles have been deeply impacted by the pervasiveness of mobile devices and mobile technological advances. The column reached a diverse range of readers from business professionals to students, from government officials to ordinary folks on the streets. Meeting and talking to them was a truly memorable experience as a writer, not forgetting its impact on my personal growth.
My first article next month in Tech & U will be a service review of U Mobile's new "Surf with U" mobile internet plan. I would like to see how this new telco kid in town fare in terms of providing a quality and reliable service to the ever-hungry mobile broadband market.
Till then, if you have any ideas or suggestions worth exploring for my subsequent articles, please e-mail to matthewmok@pd.jaring.my.
Thank you.