Agreed. I'll never know when Friendi will increase the price ....

For that matter, I also will never know when MagicSIM (which revamped their price recently), Best, #hotlink, Altel, Merchantrade, TuneTalk, ToneExcel, OneXOX, XOX, BuzzMe, Tron, U and etc will increase their price either.

Well, apparently the internet data charging block is now standardised at 1MB per block irrespective of plans (PAYU or data plans use 1MB block). The new usage block is now stated in the FAQ section.

Hmm ... that means turning on data for quick 2-3 minutes whatsapp will gobble 1MB even with a subscribed data plan.

So, I guess I have to advise those who I recommended Friendi previously to review their bottom lines ...

I was going through friendi's tnc to look for more info on the data block counter and I found this:

Terms and Conditions > Data Renewal > Item 3.7

So, I stand to be corrected.

Now apparently the data block counter for any subscribed data plan is 1MB for first MB usage and 3MB subsequently. A single session using 1.1MB will deduct 4MB from your quota. Looks like many friendi data users will soon be wondering why their quota finishes too quickly.

Hard for me to believe friendi is going this route.

Well, in terms of call tariff, nothing beats U power right now.

Let's do a little bit of comparison using Friendi RM45 local bundle:

1. Friendi's RM45 local bundle actually gives only 250 minutes of calls to all network (go read up on the new TNC). Using off-net tariff of 18 sen a minute, thus 250 minutes x 18 sen = RM45.

2. OneXOX off-net calling tariff is also 18 sen a minute (9sen/30secs block), thus 250 minutes x 18 sen = RM45

3. TuneTalk calling tariff is default at 16 sen a minute for first 2 minutes, 10 sen subsequently; but for the purpose of comparisons I use default tariff, thus 250 minutes x 16 sen = RM40

4. U power calling tariff is 10 sen per minute (5sen/30secs block) all networks, thus 250minutes x 10 sen = RM25

(The assumption for using off-net tariff is give a clear all-rounder.)

Based on the above, U power gives best calling rates. If one comes from Friendi and considering Upower then the only mitigating factor to consider is network load/congestion. At RM30 a month with free 1GB highspeed quota plus 2GB basic internet and still able make at least 250 minutes of calls, nothing else comes even close.

Of course, there is a place for OneXOX and TuneTalk but they will cater to users with different requirements.

Sorry, my bad for the confusion. You are correct that rm30 Upower topup gives maximum 300 minutes of talktime.

I was making comparison to Friendi rm45 local bundle's 250 minutes and was thinking that rm30 on U still gives 250 minutes talktime with rm5 credit balance .....

I wasn't having enough coffee while typing 250 minutes .....

Well, that's what one get when one is powered by coffee and roti canai .....

Anyway, rm50 isn't exactly an apple-to-apple comparison to rm30 Upower topup ... heheheh .... surely a rm30 Tunetalk topup with a 1GB data bonus is more accurate .... no ?

Hmmm ...

That is a simplistic and inaccurate view.

1. Salamfone was owned by kuwaitis.

2. Onetelco was owned by malaysians.

3. Onetelco does not own salamfone but was an associate running a program with salamfone.

4. salamfone owners didn't give a damn about the bussiness.

5. salamfone couldnt fulfill their contract and got terminated

6. onetelco forked out their own money to bring over all those who registered through them to xox (under onexox brand) and cut a deal that benefitted their users (all user credits retained) ...

7. salamfone owned maxis money and during the whole fiasco let onetelco deal with maxis when the contract was with salamfone. Does that make any sense ?

8. So, yes salamfone shud be buried in the fiery pit.

9. Several years later, xox saw onexox as ka-ching ka-ching and was absorbed as subsidiary.

I believe that is a more accurate picture.