Hi fellow LYN Users, I would like to know if any of you have any experience with this particular company and their services.

I live in an area with no fibre access. Well actually its right there in the main street before entering the small lorong to my house, but TM just wont do their job of pulling the fibre into the house that im living in. They have Streamyx, but it is just not worth it to install with it being expensive when comparing price per speed of that service to all other solutions available.

So I came across CONNECTme using satellite broadband. When comparing to services like TM or TIME, it's a bit expensive at RM138 for 25Mbps when other services are offering almost the same price for 100Mbps or same speed for less than RM100. But it does give a solution where the speed is still acceptable and giving the situation that im in, a much better option that Streamyx.

But since the company is relatively new, I want to get some insight on experience users who have use CONNECTme services before I decide to jump in. Any information would be greatful. Thank you for reading this post and I hope to get some responses.

I've no experience with ConnectMe but it being a satellite service, it'll be affected by weather, rain or cloud cover. Just like Astro and GPS. Latency (ping) is higher so probably won't be good for gaming.

Any contract or installation fees? If not, just give it a try.

Just had a look at their website. 24 mths contract. RM300 installation (WM). Option to throttle you after 100GB.

This post has been edited by soonwai: Apr 8 2019, 12:46 AM

its probably cheaper to get a friend/neighbour/bribesomeone to install across street, then beam wifi to you.

satellite you need a clear sight of sky, no trees blocking.

As other forumer stated, it's less stable and is prone to weather / obstacles around the house. IMHO better to get mobile broadband, satellite internet is more suitable for those working /staying in very ulu place.

Yes, in fact this is good especially offshore.

Dont mind contract and installation fees. I just want piece of mind that I dont have to worry about internet quota as I use a lot. Just want to know reliability of the service really.


Just moved in the area, dont really know anyone nearby.


Currently using Yes4G, big regret, will wait till contract end at the end of the year before switching to another mobile broadband. Any suggestions? Another thing to consider is I need a lot of quota, mobile broadband just doesnt give me enough quota for my usage.


True

how about those unlimited packages like digi

I currently have a Zoom 4G LTE home modem from Yes.

Zoom 4G LTE Home Modem

Is it possible change the sim with digi infinite plan?

This post has been edited by excel_saga: Apr 8 2019, 10:49 AM

https://www.lazada.com.my/products/digi-inf...s649924235.html

get a 4g modem

How about Digi Infinite 150?

Cannot use this modem with digi.

Any users of connectme here? Im looking for alternative now. currently using digi unlimited 150 now, main issues faced now is in term of stability.
My dont have both streamyx or unifi

If you live in extreme rural area, you can subscribe to them.
For this kind of ISP you cannot compare pricing with other ISP that able to route cabling to your area. This ISP using sat-based which costs more to serve your extreme rural area.

u can try celcom wireless home broadband since they have 30 days trial/return policy..

Not realy rural, approx 200m from my house have unifi fibre. but they dont have any future plan to pull cable to my house area .Last time they do have streamyx but stopped due to high theft of the copper cable. they just installed the fibre cable last year to bypass this issue but they didnt do it up to my house since its a new area. Already applied but dunno when they will pull the cable

got quota. prefer unlimited thus the digi 150 but their connection is really not stable and terrible CS

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https://daftar-unifi.com/tm-unifi-fibre-bro...uides/#tab-id-2

As per above link, you can pay TM a few thousand Ringgits to wire 200m of Fiber-optic cable to your house. Over the long term(= > 10 years) this option may be worth it, eg if RM5,000 over 10 years = about RM40 per month. Basic Unifi Home Fiber 30Mbps Unlimited Data costs only RM89 per month.

A 4G LTE cell tower can cover a range of up to 3 miles/5km for Internet data and 10 miles for voice calls/SMS. It's signals are line-of-sight = can be blocked by walls, tall buildings, hills, heavy rain, etc. It can only serve up to 60 users at any one time.

Digi 150 Infinite and U Mobile P139 Hero phone plans are throttled to 5Mbps from about 30Mbps, once exceeded 1TB per month. The phone plans are allowed to be used with 4G modems. Other cheaper "unlimited" phone plans are not allowed to be used with 4G modems.

This post has been edited by lurkingaround: Oct 29 2019, 02:43 PM

what u means digi 150 not stability ?
it more stable than satelite internet

there will be days or week where the connection will be slow like shit. That streaming netflix will be a pain in the ass

if u watch review on youtube most of them giving bad review

My advise would be: Try other mobile telco's network first, while ConnectME shall only be your last resort.
How's other telco networks there in your area, like Digi, Celcom, Maxis and U Mobile? Try ask around your friends or neighbours that uses 4G on either Digi or Celcom network and see what they say about the network speed and reliability.

Not sure how good is the networks? Buy a prepaid SIM pack at your nearest convenience stores for about RM8 to RM10, try out their one-off "welcome gift" or "Starter Pack" mobile data. These are the prices of SIM packs:

Digi: RM8
RM5 preloaded credit and 300MB internet (7 days)

Hotlink (Maxis): RM10
RM5 preloaded credit and 300MB internet (2 days)

Xpax (Celcom): RM10
RM6 preloaded credit. You may use this RM6 to buy data addon, such as Ultra Pass RM6 of 500MB (7 days) + unlimited midnight YouTube streaming (1am-7am)

U Mobile: RM10
RM6 preloaded credit and 200MB internet (5 days)

If you're already aware that certain telco in your area now has very poor or no 3G/4G coverage (if it's many years ago, then not counted), then no need to buy that telco's prepaid SIM pack and try lo... Try the ones you haven't try before, or the ones that you know some people say its network is pretty good in your area.

Buy it, then use/test the network with the 200-300MB included "Welcome gift" internet data, such as stream videos, surf Facebook, etc.
and see which telco network satisfy you.

That is how you make sure that you'll make the right choice and decision for your rural area.

bumped. This is good information for very rural folks.
.

Some promo is going on Connectme now...


And some announcement, where service interruption due to solar outage is expected to happen in the next few days.

why satellite when you can 4G or at least 3G
People call Celcom as a Rural King for a reason

it normal rural people using astro or njoy but satellite internet very rare.

When your area don't even have 2G, 3G, 4G, copper, fibre, and absolutely nothing at all, but you want to access high speed Internet, how?
Even in some very remote areas within Peninsular Malaysia, and also Sabah/Sarawak, there's no Internet service at all due to geographical factors or least populated areas.

For 2G/3G/4G, telco got to spend millions to install a tower to cover an area, but what if that large area only has very few users (like less than 20)? Do you think mobile telco tower is feasible?

With satellite, they just launch a satellite up to the space, and then you'll get 100% coverage nationwide instantly.
Satellite has its own technical disadvantages too, so that is why Connectme's target customers is those who have no access to terrestrial based Internet services such as fibre or 3G/4G, but still wish to have access to at least a high speed Internet.

Hope my explanation gives you a better understanding towards satellite internet. If you wish to know more, refer here:
https://connectme.my/faq

This post has been edited by joshhd: Mar 15 2020, 06:07 PM

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Hmm this YouTube video, was posted on 1 April 2019.
And he uses WiFi network to do the speed test, makes the accuracy of the speed test results to be questionable to some extent...

I found this YouTube video, uploaded just last month.

He shares that the school does not have a Internet connection, not even telco service (not sure exactly since he didn't explain in detail), and he's glad to have access to Internet services through Connectme.


But yea, I do aware that some customers do experience slow speeds due to congestion and stuff, but some appears to be working fine though

joshhd Maybe he exceeded 100GB of data for the billing month and got throttled by connectmedotmy/Maxis under its FUP.
.

Possible also.
Measat 5 satellite has a total throughput of 3.3Gbps. So just imagine if every single Connectme users are utilising full speed at all times, sure will get congested.
When congestion happens, that is a good news to Measat because it is showing signs that the satellite is in good use
But bad news to consumers la of cos... They will find ways to manage it.

Especially those who exceeded 100GB FUP, their speed would be throttle at times where other users have not reached the FUP, hence the available bandwidth would be given to them.
I believe that's how Measat manages their bandwidth for now.

When the new Measat 3d satellite launches next year 2021, Connectme is planning to use that satellite too, so there will have more bandwidth to offer even faster speeds to customers.
Measat 3d will be positioned at 91.5°E, which is the same position as used for Astro TV services.

joshhd

connectmedotmy Satellite Internet bandwidth = 3.3Gbps = 3,300Mbps = 132 X 25Mbps = ...
= can only support maximum 132 subscribers at the contracted best speed of 25Mbps at any one same time for the whole of Malaysia.

If got 1320 subscribers actively online at the same time, each gets only 2.5Mbps.
If got 13200 subscribers actively online at the same time, each gets only 0.25Mbps.

connectmedotmy Satellite Internet service does not seem to be viable unless it limits the number of subscribers to < 6,000 for the whole of Malaysia.
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This post has been edited by lurkingaround: Mar 16 2020, 11:26 AM

And when that happens, they shall see which are the users keep on download/upload P2P torrent, or those abusive users, then they'll throttle them.
And perhaps, allocate more bandwidth to those who use Internet in a "non-abusive ways" such as streaming Netflix, watch YouTube videos, Facebooking, WhatsApp, all those.

If the congestion is till the point of unable to control further, then they might wanna consider slow down promoting Connnectme services to new customers then.
"Nah, we don't. We want money instead. "
Otherwise, wait till Measat 3d launch next year, where according to insider source I got, Connectme is plan to use Measat 3d satellite to expand their services further.

SEKOLAH Kebangsaan (SK) Punan, Kluang,

maxis 3G


celcom map not loading, used tune talk, got celcom 4G

digi, umobile no service

How you know is this school?
Are u the owner of the YouTube video? 😯

🤔, I wonder how would connectme manage their user with 2 different satellite location? Also, sharing Satelite with Astro?

This post has been edited by yongtjunkit: Mar 16 2020, 02:41 PM

did u watch the video from the start ?
0:02
0:23

My bad

Deleted

This post has been edited by joshhd: Mar 17 2020, 10:14 AM

Don't think so with sharing satellite with astro.

If even with sharing method, but the frequency confirm is totally different one.
ConnectMe nothing related with astro..

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Afaik, Measat, Astro and connectmedotmy are owned by Maxis - Ananda Krishnan/MIC. .......

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MEASAT_Satellite_Systems
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astro_(television)
https://www.soyacincau.com/2018/01/02/malay...launching-2018/
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Thanks for your info...
Sorry for giving mis-information.

Seems like same another scenario... TM, Celcom and Malaysia Airlines under by Khazanah National..

Connectme is a Measat company.
Astro is a wholly owned subsidiary of Astro All Asia Networks plc. and operated by MEASAT Broadcast Network Systems.

Astro can choose to vacate from using high Ku band frequency range (e.g. between 11.7-12.75GHz) on Measat 3a/3b, and use solely the low Ku band range (10.7-11.7GHz) for all their satellite TV channels, leaving that high Ku band freq range for Connectme services, and that's if Connectme would to use Ku band on 91.5°E.

Insider info: Since Measat 3d is a HTS satellite, and once it is operational, Connectme is planning to use the Ka band of that satellite to offer as fast as 100Mbps satellite broadband speed to consumers.
Because it's Ka band where bandwidth can be much more than Ku band, therefore higher speeds can be achieved.
Yes, Ka band's rain fade is worse than Ku band. That's why still, Connectme's target customers are those who still have difficulty in access high speed Internet, particularly rural areas without 4G or fibre. You don't have other choice if your area don't have 3G/4G/copper/fibre. But still, they can't make it too expensive also.

So that also means, in the future, Connectme services would be using 2 satellites with 2 different orbital position, which is 119.5°E (Measat 5, also known as Thaicom 4), and 91.5°E (the future Measat 3d).

Wow~~ Another new frequency Ka band.
Oh ya, wanna to ask you. I know C band cost is higher than Ku band and also Ka band.
I'm not sure about it Is it C band is it same as Ku band cannot achieve higher speed of Internet? OR C band is not applicable for internet but only for broadcasting only?

And another thing is if using Ka band, I believe that the LNB is totally different with the Ku band already. Am I right?
I just can't imagine if customer (from rural area) upgrade to higher speed (if Ka band available), then causing all the satellite dish cannot be used the current one anymore?

UPDATE: https://www.soyacincau.com/2020/07/18/conne...obox=1595084469 - Connectme Satellite Broadband now costs a lot more to subscribe - By Alexander Wong 10:59 pm, 18 July 2020

Source; https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...post&p=97518053

Why so big price hike.? Connectme got very high demand from rural kampung folks.? Maxis is hard up for cash.?
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This post has been edited by lurkingaround: Jul 19 2020, 12:52 PM

well satellite broadband service is not cheap to begin with...
not like fiber or wireless... cost is huge...

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Seems someone also sounds like a Maxis staff or sales agent.
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This post has been edited by lurkingaround: Jul 19 2020, 03:02 PM

Said by U Mobile staff / Sales agents...
Please go take care your celco first 🤭
Don't needed to lurkingaround in Network & Broadband section 🤣

I think because Connectme already fed up dealing with customers that keep making noise, saying "Connectme is cheating..." "Connectme expensive..." and so on.
The thing is, Connectme's parent company is Measat. Astro's parent's parent company is also Measat.

Measat aren't in favour to deal with customers that "wants to pay less, but get more". Measat is not like U Mobile... They are more keen towards business-to-business.
Their customer target group is more towards those who wants quality service and wouldn't mind much about cost, instead of those who favour towards "cheap and mediocre" service quality.

In my opinion, previously they made their plans as RM98/month 60GB and RM138/month Unlimited, they just want to create more awareness to new customers a little faster.
Plus, Connectme launched their community WiFi service throughout Malaysia called "Connectme Now"

This would make them easier to deal business with customers...
And perhaps, more profit in the long run as long the people in the community keep buying satellite broadband prepaid cards.

Since now they somehow "sub" their service to third parties to deal directly with customers, so Connectme can focus on customers who is serious to get satellite broadband equipment install at their premises for personal use, and not having financial issues like typical B40 households...

well malaysian want everything cheap but top class services.....
actually they did mistake for going into this... should just let government or TM do the connection... they is the monopoly player in the market.... create awareness is good..... needed to plan wisely...

also the third party agents also needed to be train better..... don't like become astro technician

Ayam sad connectme don't wanna sponsor panjat pokok Sabah girl. It's TM your hated company who tarik fiber 300mbps to nearest pusat internet

If third party agents don't manage things well, then the fault goes to that third party agent, not Connectme.
Just like how Measat provide Astro some satellite transponders to provide TV channels to viewers, but when viewers got problem with Astro, then Measat has nothing gotta do with it.

Connectme be like:
"Travel 11km away from home? Oh, we can offer community WiFi service at your area so that you can access to Internet right at your home. Contact our authorised distributor for more info."

Later on, Veveonah will have to keep buying Connectme NOW satellite broadband prepaid cards to access to Connectme NOW services via WiFi.

"You want free Internet? Then you travel 11km away from home, go to the Pusat Internet to gain Internet access. Up to 300Mbps somemore."

joshhd
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TM is also a Satellite ISP like Maxis's ConnectMe but for enterprise customers only. TM should extend it to ordinary consumers in rural areas. Why didn't TM do it.?, eg .......

https://www.tm.com.my/Office/Business/Enter...Pages/VSAT.aspx
''''''' VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal)

TM provides corporate and government agencies with responsive customer support, dedicated and customised solutions coupled with up-to-date communications technology.

VSAT is a satellite-based service used to transmit and receive video, voice and data to remote locations or areas without terrestrial connectivity. It is also designed to serve broadcast and interactive multimedia applications. It offers a cost-effective means of implementing a high quality, reliable communications link to widely distributed sites or isolated areas. '''''''

https://www.satelliteinternet.com/providers...esnet/internet/ - US Satellite ISP that caters to consumers and enterprises.

.

Extend its satellite services to rural communities are more headache than business-to-business, just like what TM mentioned "TM provides corporate and government agencies with responsive customer support..."
That's why all this while, satellite broadband services in Malaysia are mainly used by commercial purposes only, since it's easier to deal with business customers directly.

Also, TM and Maxis themselves don't own the satellite. They just lease satellite bandwidth from Measat to provide the services to whoever interested to subscribe (of course not cheap), and all this while, they focus more on commercial business customers, rather than direct-to-consumer like Connectme.

It seems to me that from now on, let say you live in deep rural areas and you need satellite broadband but can't afford the high costs, Connectme will tell you to contact their distributors to deal with them directly, to set up community WiFi and so on.
Once it's up, if you (the end user) is within the WiFi coverage in the community, then all you need to do is purchase the Connectme NOW prepaid card to get access to Internet, powered by Connectme.
That way, people in the community will have even easier access to the Internet by connecting to the WiFi network from your own device.

Compared to installing satellite broadband equipment at one customer's premise in the middle of nowhere, and you got to bear the high monthly costs even if you're just an orang asli (for example), you might lose hope of wanting to use the service.
With this way of doing business (Connectme NOW), this could also ensure that those who really needs a proper Internet access (example like Veveonah) will have access to it as easy as possible (and no need to climb up to the tree to get decent Internet), compared to individuals who residing in places without 4G/fibre but want to use Internet like nobody cares (e.g. endless streaming/download large files and so on).

Connectme themselves, they want to do business also... They don't want because of "cheap" and "affordable", ending up affecting quality of service and putting them in a difficult position.
It's just their way of doing business now la, and they do have the right to change the way of them doing business, even if the methods used (FUP of 100GB and no Internet access after reaching 200GB) may not be liked by everyone.
I read somewhere for those RM138/month "unlimited" plan who're not happy with the 100GB/200GB FUP, they can choose to cancel their Connectme without penalty fees (due to early termination from the 24 mths contract). I don't have any further details on that... If anyone here got further info about this, do share it here..

Therefore, whoever wish to enjoy their very own, dedicated Connectme satellite home internet service at the comfort of their own home/premise, and don't have money problems, then get ready to pay the price, starting from RM198/month for 60GB, RM700/RM1200 installation fees, and other relevant fees upon sign up.

I would say, Connectme started off with some mistakes, and now they're somehow trying to "rescuing" it by making sure they'd go to the right track as they intended it to be...
Luckily, Connectme isn't too widely known to the average Malaysians yet...

This post has been edited by joshhd: Jul 20 2020, 12:06 AM

joshhd

To me, a Satellite ISP Internet service is not very different from Astro Satellite TV service.
.

What you mean? Could you elaborate further about that?

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Both Satellite Internet and Satellite TV services are not difficult to provide to consumers and they use similar technology and equipment. Only difference is the Satellite Internet customers may not have a sustainable massive market, similar to Satellite phone service. Nevertheless, the government should provide subsidized affordable Satellite Internet service to rural young folks/students to empower them with information technology. This is part of important human resource development.

Note that both 4G/3G and Satellite Internet backhaul connections have to go through TM's HSBB and submarine fiber cable networks for onward access to the world wide web/www. TM imposes substantial fees for these backhaul fiber connections, eg about RM90 for 30Mbps per line. For rursl folks, TM, as a GLC, should subsidize such fees for Satellite Internet.

Laying fiber cables for fixed home Internet or 4G/3G Internet to every rural area is too cost-prohibitive.

Instead of spending RM billions to send just ONE Malaysian to the moon or ISS, the government should instead spend this money to send Internet to thousands of rural young folks/students from a Satellite.
.

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https://www.thestar.com.my/tech/tech-news/2...n-sabah-sarawak - Gov to reduce broadband coverage gaps in Sabah, Sarawak - Internet - Monday, 03 Aug 2020

''''''' KUALA LUMPUR: The government is conducting a thorough study on the use of satellite technology to provide broadband access to Sabah and Sarawak via the National Digital Infrastructure Laboratory (IDN Lab) series programme to be held on Aug 13 and 14, the Dewan Rakyat was told today. '''''''

Looks like the Malaysian government will be extending TM's Satellite Internet ISP to ordinary consumers like Veveonah Mosibin right in her home at subsidized prices, eg RM30 per month for 6Mbps of unlimited data. All that is needed is a Satellite dish and modem-router, macam Astro Satellite TV service.

IOW, no need to lay hundreds of miles of fixed HSBB Fiber over land or put up tens of 4G cell towers every 6 miles apart in rural areas of Sabah and Sarawak.

May be great news.
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This post has been edited by lurkingaround: Aug 3 2020, 03:26 PM

That article didn't specifically mention TM also...
If you say, satellite dish and a satellite broadband modem-router being installed in those rural houses, the cost will be very high oh...

If Connectme would to help, they have been offering community prepaid WiFi service via satellite broadband called Connectme Now which I've explained on my previous posts.
https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...post&p=97525603

https://www.tm.com.my/Office/Business/Enter...s/VSAT_FAQ.aspx

8. What is the access speeds for VSAT?
The list of access speeds (in Kbps) are as below;
1. 1.2 up to 56 6. 512
2. 64 7. 768
​3. 128 8. 1024
4. 256 9. 1536
5. 384 10. 2048

3G speed is faster and cheaper than TM VSAT

Some petrol station small town main road got streamix/unifi/4G coverage have VSAT antenna on top of the roof.

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So, TM VSAT can only give maximum 2Mbps while Maxis ConnectMe can give maximum 25Mbps.

For most rural folks who can only have access to Satellite Internet, 2Mbps is still fast enough (macam the old TM Streamyx via copper wires), especially if subsidized by the government for monthly subscription fees and installation of the Satellite dish. 2Mbps can stream Youtube videos at 720p/HD = better than my 4G postpaid GX50 phone plan which can only video-stream at SD/480p/1Mbps.

Seems, TM VSAT can be boosted to maximum 4Mbps. .......

http://www.vads.com/integrated-ict-service...nectivity/vsat/
''''''' Higher Speed
High bit rates allow, 256 kbps to 4 Mbps duplex links '''''''

I doubt Maxis ConnectMe will be willing to subsidize the rural folks in Sabah and Sarawak.
.

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Your suggestion may not be practical because afaik, Wifi hotspot has a very short range of about 50 to 100 feet, similar to the 50 feet range of the Wifi hotspot of a TM Unifi Home Fiber Internet modem-router. To extend this Wifi range, Maxis ConnectMe can install Wifi repeaters about every 200 feet apart.

In comparison, a 4G/3G cell tower has a range of up to 3 miles/5km for Internet data and up to 20 miles fir voice calls/sms. So getting a prepaid SIM card from a 4G/3G celco and from Maxis ConnectMe community Wifi service is vastly different wrt coverage.

Wifi hotspots are often not practical, eg Wifi Smart Selangor seems to have gone off the air, at least near my location in Selangor. ....... https://therohani.com/wifi-smart-selangor-daftar-login/
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Seems Satellite Internet has very limited bandwidth(eg each Ku-Band transponder = 506Mbps bandwidth capacity), compared to fixed Land Fiber Internet(eg each Fiber line = XG-PON or 10G-PON or 10Gbps bandwidth capacity) Eg a row of link-houses share the 10Gbps Fiber bandwidth, hence got TM Unifi Home Fiber Internet 300Mbps plan and unlimited data)

The newest 2014-launched Maxis-owned Binariang Measat 3b, which has a working lifespan of only 15 years, uses the modern Ku-Band. It's 506Mbps bandwidth capacity in each of its 48 transponders has to be shared by all the subscribers of the Satellite ISP, eg Maxis ConnectMe and TM VSAT and by subscribers of Astro Satellite TV.
....... Since Measat is owned by Maxis, it could offer ConnectMe@Home plans at 25Mbps while TM VSAT could only offer it's business subscribers 2Mbps.

So, if more subscribers, worse is the network congestion, ie much worse than 4G network congestion in city/urban areas. .......

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite_Internet_access
''''''' Modern consumer grade satellite Internet service is typically provided to individual users through geostationary satellites that can offer relatively high data speeds,[2] with newer satellites using Ku band to achieve downstream data speeds up to 506 Mbit/s. ...

Bandwidth

Consumer satellite Internet customers range from individual home users with one PC to large remote business sites with several hundred PCs.

Home users tend to use shared satellite capacity to reduce the cost, while still allowing high peak bit rates when congestion is absent. There are usually restrictive time-based bandwidth allowances so that each user gets their fair share, according to their payment. When a user exceeds their allowance, the company may slow down their access, deprioritise their traffic or charge for the excess bandwidth used. For consumer satellite Internet, the allowance can typically range from 200 MB per day to 25 GB per month. A shared download carrier may have a bit rate of 1 to 40 Mbit/s and be shared by up to 100 to 4,000 end users.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MEASAT-3b

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Measat 3b's has 48 Ku-Band transponders with each having a bandwidth capacity of 506Mbps maximum. For each Ku-Band transponder, If >20 Maxis ConnectMe@Home subscribers(= 25Mbps plans) in Malaysia get actively online at the same time = network congestion on that transponder. Imagine if got 100 such subscribers = traffic jam = each may get only 5Mbps.

Note that Maxis Astro Satellite TV service also uses some of Measat 3b's Ku-Band transponders.

Looks like Satellite Internet is a very expensive option for the government to help rural folks in Sabah and Sarawak.Maybe, the government should go for 4G cell towers 20 miles apart and subsidized 4G parabolic grids and cell signal boosters via its GLC, Celcom.
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This post has been edited by lurkingaround: Aug 4 2020, 04:40 PM

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020...ternet-coverage -
Sararwak approves RM50mil VSAT project to improve Internet coverage - Tuesday, 22 Sep 2020
"The speed (broadband) of this VSAT technology is 30 megabits per second (mbps) including the use of WiFi, so this will make it easier for rural farmers to sell their agricultural products and to connect with buyers," he said when officiating at the groundbreaking ceremony of the new Sarawak State Farmers' Organisation (PPNS) building, here on Tuesday (Sept 22).

The Sarawak government will be deploying subsidized TM Vsat or Satellite Internet for her rural folks. Looks like Vsat has been upgraded to the Ku-band = same like Maxis' ConnectMe Satellite Internet.
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This post has been edited by lurkingaround: Sep 23 2020, 02:17 PM

The article didn't mention TM also...
Since it mentions "the use of WiFi", it seems to be referring to Connectme NOW.

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I would think VSAT points to TM, not to Maxis' ConnectMe. Otherwise, thestar news report would have stated ConnectMe and not VSAT.

A Satellite modem-router is very similar to a Fiber Ethernet modem-router, ie can transmit Wifi to nearby devices up to about 100 feet away. Similarly for a 4G LTE modem-router paired with Digi Infinite 150.
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This post has been edited by lurkingaround: Sep 23 2020, 02:29 PM

unlikely, mostly it would involve state owned or partnership with TM in collab with SMA, like mostly they did in the past with TM Vsat project in some kpg at some place I practical last time.
usage of wifi is...the wifi router does connected to the satellite vsat modem.. like how your wireless router connected to tm fiber modem..

This post has been edited by GameSky: Sep 23 2020, 03:29 PM

Well, then I wonder which satellite they use...

But TM has no VSAT capabilities.

See? Told you it's from Connectme...

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Yes, only Maxis Binariang has the Measat Satellite service in Malaysia, eg for Maxis Astro and ConnectMe, but Maxis Binariang is licensed by the government and TM is a government-linked company/GLC = Maxis Binariang had to agree to lease reasonable Measat Satellite bandwidth to TM VSAT Satellite Internet service or ISP. Otherwise, no more license.

Previously, TM VSAT could offer only up to 2Mbps speed to its enterprise customers, eg eco-tourism hotels and homestays in Tmn Negara or remote areas, offshore oil rigs, etc. Latest news above may imply that TM VSAT can now offer 30Mbps to its customers, eg the Sarawak government for RM millions. TM VSAT = Maxis ConnectMe wrt download speed.

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PS - All licensed telcos have to contribute 6% of their annual revenue to the MCMC's Universal Service Provision Fund or USP Fund, amounting to about RM1.5 billion yearly. This fund is used by the government to build Fiber landlines and 3G/4G cell towers for rural folks.
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PPS - UPDATE: Sorry, I may be wrong, ie the Sarawak government is using Measat's ConnectMe VSAT Internet, and not TM's VSAT.
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This post has been edited by lurkingaround: Oct 1 2020, 07:21 PM

If you're wondering what's Connectme NOW, read this PDF file:
 CONNECTme_NOW__Satellite_Broadband_by_MEASAT.pdf ( 746.71k ) Number of downloads: 21



Imagine you want to offer Internet service to your potential customers/users, but your area there doesn't have fibre or 4G coverage, then Connectme NOW might be the only solution you could consider.
All you need to pay (as a business premise) upon signing up Connectme NOW, is pay RM1000 worth of PAC (Prepaid Access Codes), then you will get free installation of Connectme NOW.

And then, feel free to resell the prepaid codes to your customers or whoever that wants to access to your Connectme NOW. As for the end user, feel free to buy as much as you want, and stack up as long you want.

PAC (Prepaid Access Codes) means, in layman terms, topup value.
RM10 = 1GB (1 month validity)
RM40 = 5GB (2 months validity)
RM100= 15GB (2 months validity)



If you wonder, what if you didn't manage to sell all PAC on time within 1 month? Any other T&C?
If you want to know more, don't come and ask me. I don't work for Connectme.
Contact them instead:


If anyone asks about Connectme NOW in the future, just redirect them to this post.

This post has been edited by joshhd: Oct 1 2020, 04:33 PM

Not sure what Satellite Internet plans joshhd has shown (= prepaid plans.?) but https://connectme.my/plans has these 2 postpaid plans for consumers, .......

RM198 per month for 60GB at up to 25Mbps and RM298 per month for 100GB at up to 25Mbps.

= Satellite Internet is super expensive, compared to Cellular 4G/3G Internet.

Previously, the RM298 plan gave unlimited data. Guess network congestion has put paid to the unlimited data plan.
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The ones you see on Connectme website, is for personal home private use.
That is totally different from Connectme NOW that I mentioned. Don't confuse oh.

Connectme NOW is to allow you to provide WiFi service to your customers or community, powered by Connectme satellite broadband. It is not meant for own use at home.
And when your customer or whoever wants to gain Internet access from your Connectme NOW, you sell prepaid access codes to your customers (or whoever wants to use it) so that your customers can access to the satellite broadband via WiFi connection on their own devices. It's like you become a reseller.

Like I said before, Connectme is suitable if you are in a very desperate need of Internet access at a place of very limited to zero Internet coverage and service.
So don't compare with existing fibre or cellular plans, definitely satellite broadband is more expensive one.
Connectme isn't meant to compete with fibre/4G. It's a total different use cases here.