Yes... Whatever slashed prices you see on Astro website (astro.com.my) are applicable for new sign ups only.

Astro Subscription Rate Card (September 2023) here:
https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...#entry108101700

If you do speed test on Ulti/Ultra Box, definitely you'll get the speeds of around 30-40Mbps, bcuz the test server destination is to their streaming servers, and it does not corresponds to your actual ISP subscribed speeds.
And it seems that they've imposed a max speed per user that connects to their streaming servers, that's why you'd only get speeds around 30-40Mbps, which it doesn't matter much anyway, cuz even if you stream 4K UHD content on Ultra Box, the recommended speed is 30Mbps.

Astro Primary Pack vs NJOI Family Pack

With variety of channels included in NJOI's Family Pack, it is indeed a very attractive package and likely would encourage those low or no-paying NJOI customers to start paying.
But how about Astro's Primary Pack, and what different is it between the two?


What's available on Astro Primary Pack (RM59.99), but NJOI Family Pack (RM29.90) don't have:
- Astro Vellithirai
- Star Vijay
- TVB Classic

What's available on NJOI Family Pack (RM29.90), but Astro Primary Pack (RM59.99) don't have:
- Astro Rania
- Astro Aura
- Celestial Movies
- HITS Movies
- Aljazeera English
- CNA
- Crime + Investigation
- DMAX

Things to take note for Astro customers:

• You cannot subscribe to either Indonesian Fav, Chinese Fav or Indian Fav when you opt for Primary Pack.
• The price of Astro Primary Pack (RM59.99) have not include 6% SST. After SST would be RM63.59/month.
• Thinking of converting from Astro to NJOI? The process would be the same as terminating Astro service (call customer service only), and plus you'll need to pay RM199 conversion fee.

Things to take note for NJOI customers:

• Since NJOI is a freemium prepaid service, hence NJOI Family Pack has no contract, and you can subscribe and stop it anytime.
• If you sign up as new NJOI customer now, you will be getting HD Zapper box. Ulti/Ultra Box isn't available to NJOI customers.

This post has been edited by joshhd: Oct 2 2023, 12:30 AM

What I know is, this rule has been around for very long time already...

Astro To Cease Go Shop Operations Starting Next Week
https://www.facebook.com/lowyatdotnet/posts...k7ZN5H3AjN3oVQl
Looks like Astro is on a "chopping-headcount spree" since the day they announce about VSS scheme
Anyway, Dear Go Shop, customers are happy that you are leaving for good, and you won't be missed.

1. As mentioned before, whatever slashed prices you see on Astro website is only meant for new sign ups only. Existing customers are not eligible for the slashed prices. You mentioned the price rose back to RM95 when you select Switch, that's because RM94.99 is the original price for Movies Pack (24 mths contract). And since Indian Favourites are not included in Movies Pack, you'll need to subscribe it separately as an addon, which costs RM14.99. So the grand total becomes RM109.98 exclude tax. This is expected behaviour.

2. If subscribe to Movies Pack, you can still opt for Ultra Box, then you'll need to pay one-off RM99 installation fee (if you choose 24 months contract). It's not going to be free installation.


Source: https://help.astro.com.my/question/do-i-hav...a-plug-play-box
Greenfield means New Customer
Brownfield means Existing Customer
P&P means Plug & Play
Installer Assisted generally means if you're using Astro with Satellite dish.

Why Astro has Ulti Box and Ultra Box, is because Ulti Box supports up to Full HD while Ultra Box supports 4K Ultra HD. Generally it is more costly to manufacture Ultra Box, therefore priority will be given to even higher paying customers. This makes business sense, unfortunately.

3. For the recommended packs part, if you know what exactly you want, then I suggest you ignore the package recommendation thinggy. Refer to this Sept 2023 subscription rate card instead, and look for which pack that suits you:
https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...#entry108101700

Astro will offer you a retention package only if you call customer service and tell them you want to terminate Astro. Otherwise, it's just business as usual. If you read the news lately, Astro is having financial issues (losing profits and stuff), so you know la... 🤷

When they ask you why you want to terminate, just be nice and give good reasons such as you're having financial difficulties but still want to enjoy Astro, instead of giving reasons that you hate Astro.

"Upgrade" from Satellite to Plug & Play, you say?
If you're already using Satellite, why "upgrade" to Plug & Play?

Plug & Play is meant for those who don't want or don't like or cannot use Astro dish to receive Astro signals due to whatever reasons.

And yes, it is an expected behaviour that you'll notice some sort of lag when changing channels, because the box is operating under Plug & Play.

Plug & Play is already the default installation type for new sign ups nowadays, and you may need to select manually if you prefer Satellite dish installation.


Since you've "upgraded" to Plug & Play, therefore your Astro box is tagged under Plug & Play in Astro's system. However, you can try to Restore Factory Settings on your Ulti/Ultra Box and select Satellite mode.

After pressing Next, Next, Next, Finish, if you see SIM card error (CA 6), try refresh smart card. You can refresh your smartcard at http://myastro.astro.com.my/.

If you see "Switch to Continous Viewing" or SCNA error on certain channels, press home>Settings>Satellite Settings>LNB Setup, change the LNB Type setting from DCSS to Universal, or from Universal to DCSS.
Once you select Next, Next, Finish, check those channels earlier again.

It depends on which pack you subscribe to. As mentioned earlier:

Source: https://help.astro.com.my/question/do-i-hav...a-plug-play-box
Greenfield means New Customer
Brownfield means Existing Customer
P&P means Plug & Play
Installer Assisted generally means if you're using Astro with Satellite dish.

Astro Go is not meant for those who are particular in picture quality. If you're expecting it to look HD similar like watching Netflix shows on your iPad, then you've come to the wrong place.

Astro Go streaming quality is only up to 720p, regardless of how big or small your device is. Plus, their video bitrate isn't high also. So whenever you see fast motion scenes, then good luck with the picture quality la .
You approach to customer service also no use. They'll taichi here and there, say that it's your Internet connection or device problem, while "Astro themselves no problem one".

This problem can be mitigated if they set their Astro Go streams at higher video bitrate, but the thing is, higher bitrate means Astro need to pay more money to the CDN servers for additional streaming bandwidth. And you know la, Astro financial performance right now... They'll cut costs here and there whenever they can now.

If you ask, are there any other alternative...? I would say, the best is watch it using your Astro box, not Astro Go.
Otherwise, try subscribe to Sooka TV plan (RM62.50/month). You can access to all Astro sports channels from CH801 until CH820, including any ongoing sports events like Asian Games.
Sooka TV plan is the only plan where they offer 1080p quality streaming on devices and smart TV. Their lower tier plans are only up to 720p.

Multiroom Smart TV is 1080p, but you can only use it on TV.
It's not that you can use it on the go like the Astro Go app.

Ah yes, 4K UHD linear channels are not available for Multiroom smart TV, but VOD content is available in 4K UHD.

Only CH104? Can list down what are the other channels you're getting the Subscription Required message?
If you Restore Factory Settings again and set it back to IPTV Plug & Play (self-install), are you able to view those channels again?
Your Ultra Box that you're referring to, is it originally in satellite mode?

The rest of the channels from CH104 until CH877, all of them showing Subscription Required? Serious?

This post has been edited by joshhd: Oct 3 2023, 09:45 PM

Don't get too excited first.
Astro Fibre 50Mbps for "RM60" is only applicable only if you bundle it together with TV subscription of Entertainment Pack or higher tier.
Example:

Astro Fibre 50Mbps RM99 + Entertainment Pack (24 mths) RM89.99 = RM188.99 - RM39 rebate = RM149.99/month

Maybe because "RM39 rebate" doesn't sound so appealing and attractive. So, they market it differently, by saying that their Astro Fibre 50Mbps only costs RM60 where actually the amount has already deducted the RM39 rebate, hence make it look like they're offering the cheapest 50Mbps plan out there now.

Astro Fibre 50Mbps RM60 + Entertainment Pack (24 mths) RM89.99 = RM149.99/month
Very smart

Also, it seems that they no longer allow standalone Astro Fibre 50Mbps sign ups? See the keyword "*TV Pack is required for 50Mbps"
While 100Mbps and above ones, doesn't have such note there (means standalone Astro Fibre are allowed only if it's 100Mbps and above).

Double confirm again

Oh man... Ok, can you tell us:
- Which Astro box model were you using before you upgrade to this 'Plug & Play box'? Is it HD box? PVR box? Or the same Ulti/Ultra Box?
- What made you or convinced you to upgrade to 'Plug & Play box'?
- It's been how many days since you've activated the Plug & Play box?
- Are you using Ulti Box or the Ultra Box right now?
- What Astro package are you on now?
- Did you subscribe to Sports Pack? If not sure, can you confirm whether you can watch CH801 until 820 (on Plug & Play mode)?

This post has been edited by joshhd: Oct 3 2023, 09:48 PM

I regretted that I've "upgraded" to Astro Plug & Play...
You thought that Astro Plug & Play is an "amazing new product" but didn't dive too deep to know more about it before this.

Now, you are already using their 'Plug & Play box', and that's where you realised, you've made one wrong decision in life, without knowing that you would face one or all of the new problems listed below:

• Loading icon will always re-appear whenever you switch channels, which kind of annoys you.
  
• You somehow feel that the overall Ulti/Ultra Box software are a little more lag, compared to the satellite mode.
  
• When you tune to a channel, the picture quality are horrible like YouTube 360p quality at first. But after about 5 seconds, then it becomes HD as it should. And you find this kind of disturbing.
  
• When watching a linear TV channel, sometimes the video is 25fps, then after sometime, it goes back to 50fps, and back and forth again. (If you don't understand this point, then skip to the next one)
  
• Intermittent buffering occurs (along with loading icon appears), even when your Ulti/Ultra Box is connected to a reliable WiFi network or direct LAN cable to your router. It becomes more apparent when watching 4K UHD linear channels like Love Nature (CH549) or Astro SuperSport UHD (CH805).
  
• You notice there is a streaming latency on Plug & Play of around 30 seconds to 1 minute compared to satellite broadcast.
  For example: You are a live sports fan. Your neighbours and friends around the world who is watching a live football match via satellite dish, shouted "goal!" as the football team scored the goal, but you only get to see the football team scored the goal on your TV screen for about 30 seconds to 1 minute later, simply because you are using Ulti/Ultra Box Plug & Play, which is so potong stim.

All these situations mentioned above, doesn't occur when you're on Satellite mode.
You are not happy because you did not expect that you'll face all of these "problems" on Plug & Play (but Astro calls them "expected behaviours because it's Internet streaming, and adaptive streaming").
Plus, that salesperson didn't tell you about all these things beforehand (which is expected, cuz all they care about is earning your commission and achieving sales KPI).
Also, their general service T&C also didn't mention that Plug & Play service are subjected to all these "issues".


I want my Satellite mode back. What can I do?

• Send email to wecare@astro.com.my.
• In the email, include your name and Astro account number (if not sure on the acc number, you can retrieve it at https://myastro.astro.com.my/ or refer to your Astro bill).
• You may highlight them that you got your Ulti/Ultra Plug & Play Box just ____ days/month ago.
• Explain that you're not happy with their Plug & Play service because of __________________ (you may refer the long list of reasons mentioned above earlier).
• You want them to change your Astro box mode from Plug & Play back into Satellite mode in their system.
• You agree that your contract period will be restarted, as long without paying any penalty.
• You agree that installer visits may be required and chargeable to you (e.g. RM65 ?). Depending on your situation, if you think that they shouldn't charge you for this, you'll need to provide your justification.

Scenario: You already have a Astro satellite dish connection, and is ready to use (e.g. the dish was previously installed).
Tell them you already have a Astro satellite dish connection, and is ready to use.
You've also tried to Restore Factory Settings, selected "Satellite", already refreshed smartcard, and only able to view basic channels like CH101, 102, 103, but almost the rest of the channels showing Subscription Required message.

Scenario: You simply just don't like Plug & Play, and you want to watch Astro via satellite dish, but you don't have Astro satellite dish connection ready now.
Tell them you need them to send a technician over to install/configure satellite dish for you, and you agree to pay for the installation fee (if have).

Astro tell me they "cannot" do that for me...?
If they refuse to comply your request (e.g. it cannot be done or penalty will be charged), you may file a MCMC complaint here https://aduan.mcmc.gov.my/
If you don't know what options to select, follow this screenshot below:

You find that you are not getting the quality of service as expected. So for the "Category", you may select "Service Delivery".

This post has been edited by joshhd: Oct 4 2023, 10:20 AM

minimize said that he already did a smart card refresh on My Astro, and still getting Subscription Required message on almost all channels.

minimize Or maybe you wanna try refresh your smart card one more time and see if you're still getting Subscription Required message for the rest of the channels? Although I doubt that it'll solve the issue la

Note: You can only refresh once in every 30 minutes

Eh wait, why is your smart card number 0166 0000 0000 on My Astro?
That 0000 0000 looks sus. It doesn't look like a valid smart card number...
Can you double check by pressing home>Settings>STB Diagnostics>General Diagnostics
And see what is your SIM card number. Do unlink and link your Astro smart card again to your Astro ID if necessary.

Alternatively, you can also refresh your smart card via Astro WhatsApp.
Send the text "REFRESH" to +60395433838 via WhatsApp, and follow the instructions there.

Note: Astro's smart card and SIM card is generally the "same thing". It's just that the size of the card...

This post has been edited by joshhd: Oct 4 2023, 08:52 AM

Oh cheh... You can redact it by putting a black bar to cover it or something... If you put 0000 0000, I thought it's a valid error lol

In that case, try follow the instructions here:
https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...ost&p=108240659

You can try call customer service... If that customer service agent isn't helping, then you may file MCMC complaint right away.

Hmmm...? Out of nowhere?
As I double check, Awesome TV were made available on Astro platform on 18 January 2021. And now Astro announces they will remove the channel from its platform on 18 October 2023. And only Astro announces this cessation, but so far I don't see Awesome TV themselves made any public statement on this.

If I would to guess, it's probably that Awesome TV disagree to pay the carriage fees quoted by Astro (maybe they find that Astro charge them too expensive? I dunno...).
Anyway, one less free TV channel on Astro & NJOI then...