The not so new kid on the block, YES Mobile has finally stepped out the shadows with their widely expanded new 4G LTE network and new mobile plans that has gotten many (especially other telco’s) stand up and pay attention.
CEO Wing K Lee, broadly shares about the sparkling new network the company has laid across Malaysia and how YES runs on 100% 4G LTE and combined with 4G broadband have 85% of the country covered. What does this mean for the consumer? For one, voice calls from a 4G LTE network on a 4G phone will be in HD quality, clear and crisp, data speed will be consistent and much faster, giving unparalleled user-experience as intended on LTE. While its sounds like nirvana, there are downsides on a full 4G network offered by YES at the moment, its not 100% coverage. There are pockets where coverage is lacking, which means zero connection, no calls! no data!…blind spots. Also to enjoy HD calls you need voice over LTE phones or voLTE for both party. However, Wing was quick to assure, that his company is working on getting these pockets filled up soon as possible. And with the 4G phone package, users can get hold of affordable voLTE phone with the plans.
During the launch, new postpaid and prepaid plans were introduced together with a new branded voLTE phone in collaboration with China Mobile, one of the partners YES is working with on new 4G technologies. Those following the event would have read about the postpaid plan and its offerings, we here at LiveatPC.com would like to delve into the prepaid plan that will be pitting against veterans like Hotlink and Xpax.
Prepaid Plans Compared
YES Prepaid
For RM10, you can Datafy your life with free 500MB on 4G LTE speeds, free basic internet, RM5 preloaded credit, free calls and sms to only YES numbers and a 9 sen call rate to all other networks.
There are 7 different data pack to choose from:
Xpax Prepaid
Meanwhile Celcom has 5 plans to offer with a Xpax starter pack also starting at RM10, plus 200MB of high speed internet, free basic internet, sms at 12 sen and voice at 24 cents. Already the pack looks less convincing than YES. Reload starts daily from RM8 for 1GB of data and goes up to RM68 for 7GB(5 +2). No guess here on who rocks a better deal.
Maxis Hotlink
The other big player, Maxis with Hotlink had recently dropped its starter pack from RM15 to RM10 and comes with 300MB internet that lasts for 2 days with 6/12 sen for 30 seconds calls on Maxis and between local networks. As for sms its 1 sen and 12 sens for non-Maxis network. Data reloads are available in 5 variables just like Xpax, with the lowest being at RM3 and highest at RM38. Reloaders on the 4G smartphone plan (on the right) will get additional 8GB data applicable only on weekends for free as long as they keep their accounts active. By far Maxis has a better plan for now, but has too many layers that will confuse consumers.
Digi Prepaid
Comparing with Digi, the starter pack at RM10 gives 2GB data for every weekend only, RM7 credit valid for 1 week, 30 sen on calls while those on Buddyz is free. There are 6 option for reloads though, from a minimum of RM10, to RM100, however the plan does also offer daily subscription and internet passes as and when users need them.
U Mobile Prepaid
U Mobile has the lowest starter pack pricing in the country with RM8.50, RM5 preloaded credit, 200Mb worth of free high speed internet, 8 sen for sms and 6 sen for every 30 second voice calls across any network. Upon a minimum RM10 top-up, users get 2GB basic and 1GB high-speed internet not confined to just weekends.
On paper U Mobile seems to be offering the most competitive prepaid plan terms of pricing, starter pack and data plan. YES Mobile, a new comer neither tried or tested will have to enter the market with a more attractive plan, even if the plans are better than Celcom Maxis and Digi. While having more data at cheaper price is the ultimate desire for all prepaid users, it’s important to consider other conditions like coverage, connectivity, speed and support service.
Overall package from the other telco’s are still more compelling that YES Prepaid at the moment, giving customers 100% 4G experience will not sustain the YES for long as the rest are also enhancing their network to fully support LTE.
