Yes, DiGi is awash with money [
source]. Not surprising with so many loyal (if complaining) customers and repeated increases in the prepaid fees / removal of previous privileges [
source].
The Tomorrow Network is being oversold by DiGi at this time. 4G cannot be switched on yet (and even if it was, most of us have no 4G device). All that is happening in most locations is simply
swapping the existing equipment (Siemens, Huawei) to that of a new vendor (ZTE), which then needs tweaking as it is like building a radio network from scratch. Apart from a few kampong locations that may get 3G for the first time, the new equipment's capability (neglecting 4G) is exactly the same. And DiGi are still stuck with the same limited spectrum, which is the prime determinant of quality of service.
However, in many ways, I still see DiGi leading the industry. Last decade it was on prepaid (one low fat rate, simpacks below RM10, micro-reloads, etc). This decade it is more on postpaid with their SmartPlans that avoid bill shock. In many ways, DiGi is a victim of its own success, having grown to over 10 million users of which half are mobile internet users. The real issue is spectrum. On GSM for example, the other two 1800 MHz telcos (013 TMTouch, 017 TimeCel) ended up being merged with the 900 MHz big boys. Then, DiGi was never awarded 3G licence and had to buy one from another operator.
Unfortunately, DiGi has to tread carefully and is rather constrained from openly making noise about spectrum. What is needed is a deeper understanding of the issue by users and consumer groups, and a movement to lobby the government, present or future, for a fairer allocation.
This post has been edited by dgboy: Jul 24 2012, 10:24 PM