I got this back in last year, initially service was ok and acceptable. After a while. i think they switched server. It becomes sometimes okay, sometimes not ok. Then gradually it becomes often times not ok.

Don't think it is a internet issue, more like server capacity issue. Often off-peak hours everything is working flawlessly. During peak hours, mostly if not all the popular channel will be buffering non stop.

I installed Kodi on this box, and it works all the time. No buffering at all, irregardless of hours.

Yes, all the channel is free. No need to subscribe. They do tend to update the apps used for viewing the channels, i think this is mostly due to them moving server. There is also subscription and no subscription options (i was told so). I believe the subscription is not too exorbitant, something along the lines of RM40/month (not very sure, but i was told it is about there when i bought the box).

All in all, it is a hit and miss experience for me. As i bought this hoping to cut my Astro and get alternative, but what i get was sometimes it is working, sometimes it is not. At the end of the day, i sold it and subscribed back to Astro (sharing with another two friends).