I discover that many ex-Maxis subscriber (prepaid and postpaid) 012 prefix number will port out to OneXOX prepaid and just simply top up RM50 to get stay the line active for 28 months without reload or plan subscription. My friends also did this to their few 012 numbers and then keep the sim in the drawer and subscribe new 012 number again. Reason is to get new preferred number and the old one keep in case for future will use. Also most of the students and working at overseas including those who migrate to overseas would do it too.

Maxis currently only open the 012 prefix number for their Postpaid plan Rm98 and above , no longer available for prepaid subscribers and Hotlink Postpaid too. I assume 012 prefix numbers probably left 10% to 20% unsubscribed numbers and mostly the numbers are less preferred? Each prefix numbers (exclude the 011 prefix which has 8 digits can support more) can support 10 million numbers and it is 1/3 Malaysia populations. Total Malaysia prefix telco numbers can be more than 100 millions.

Should gov make the rules that all telco only allow the prepaid user to stay active max 3 to 6 months if there is no reload or plan subscription instead allow the line to stay active 28 months so that the numbers can be go back recycle and other people can enjoy their prefix and numbers choice?


This is an assumption as I do not know the real reason why Maxis dedicated 012 prefix for expensive postpaid plans.


Just to open for discussion.

I would assume that it is to keep the 012 prefix exclusive to Maxis once again. Previously, when Maxis took over ADAM (Sapura) way back in time, they kept the prefix separated, i.e. 012 for Maxis products and 017 for Hotlink prepaid products. So, if you want prepaid under Maxis coverage, you'll have to use Hotlink with 017 and no other options. It was relegated some years ago when you can simply purchase 012 even with Hotlink prepaid but now it seems the separation is back.

012 prefix have always been regarded as top tier among prefixes in earlier telco times (somewhere 2000-ish), so using one (doesn't matter which number sequence it is) will be regarded highly because if you can afford Maxis back then, means you are well to do.

That's my take on this.

i have one 012 number. bought 16 years ago.

hotlink prepaid stater pack prefix
010-
011-
014-
017-

hotlink prepaid 5G

Well got 1 number 012 bought many years ago...
Still kicking strong 💪

Wow, I'm regarded "well to do", hahaha.
I bought my 012 Maxis prepaid more than 10 years ago. Back then, 012 prefix was still available for Hotlink.

My mom and sis are having 012 numbers, but both are on different Celcom telco
And no, they aren't keeping it alive; Use as normal.

BTW whats so special about 012 number?
I used to have a 013 number, rare, not until it was killed by one of the telco (cant remember) not by my fault. Only god knows where the 013 goes to now.

because 0 then 1 then 2. look gooding.

Huh..
So fast selling..

Maxis network is 5G ready & operational now 🤔

I remember during earlier stage before year 2000, there are no prepaid offered by Maxis, only postpaid and every new subscription will have to sign contract for 2 years and quite expensive that time. If not mistaken, Digi or Art 900 ( known as Celcom) were the first to introduce prepaid sim pack. I bought my first Hotlink prepaid sim pack at year 2000 and it cost almost RM300 with RM100 credit balance. During that time there I am not sure Timedotcam 017 is available or not.
My dad own the big phone (Motorola) like pencil box size and the telco service by ATUR 450.(011 prefix with 6 digit numbers) was well known can get the line even in the forest. That time period, Maxis, Digi still not exist yet. Maybe Art 900 exist.


I still keep the number active until today since 20 years ago but port out to other telco due to unhappy with Maxis service many years ago.

Maybe those younger generation do not know that 012 prefix number is always the first choice for those afford to get the service. Second is Digi and third is Art 900 (prefer by those stay outside city due to strong signal). But now nobody bother about it . I think when read the number, it is easy to speak out because of it follow the number sequence. If got the number 012-3456789 , I would like to own it but don't know who owns it.

Most people port to XOX not because good but because of long validity. Maxis expensive because of their quality of service and network.

Just ask yourself why maxis so expensive still many people use?

How cheaper telco wanna compete? Better offer and price. I got a maxis simcard from HYC i still keep till today.

This post has been edited by Theoutspokenguy: Jun 24 2020, 11:41 AM

If you bought your hotlink prepaid sim means u kena cheat already I remember it was rm23X something

Because the number looks more premium. If I see someone having a nice 012 means he sure somebody wealthy or more success. Followed by 019, 013 than 016 and 017

Got 018 also

Onexox is good for validity only right?

Hmmm .....

Seems that not many people are aware that the free 1GB RMCO on onexox is unrestricted ... high speed everything (if the network holds)

Do the math and you'll agree that the cost for monthly SP data plan plus free 1GB RMCO for the next six months is worth it ...

Main selling point for people port to OneXOX is because of the long validity. If you seldom use, that is a good choice. Imagine to top up 365 just to keep the line active. For some telco, they have limit the max amount balance in your prepaid line. At the end, you still have to spend the credit or transfer the credit to others. Maxis did a good marketing and branding. Their quality of service and network depends the location and not all is ok. Maxis is just like Apple brand. The technology is still far behind yet some people see it something new and high technology because of the premium feel that burn in their mind. But other brands has gone far one or two years ahead. If the location has a good network and coverage, the speed quality nobody can beat them.


No la, I surveyed all the local shop before purchase and the price is similar. But that time period, there are not many phone shops compared today. Correct me if I am wrong, initial first launch Hotlink prepaid sim pack is cost around RM120 or RM150. Then suddenly the price shot up until almost RM300 at year 2000 and after that the price slowly come down and now just RM10 only. I probably bought during the peak period. Anybody can clarify this?


Yes it looks premium because all the the time Maxis always stay No.1 most expensive telco services in Malaysia. Those who use the service is known as rich person..


018 was owned by Mobikom 800 before Umobile.

because no matter how people complain maxis line is quite stable unlike umobile very consistent slow and buffering. Maxis still do not have VOLTE today.

If validity is your main concern better get unifi mobile because any activity that requires credit will extend your validity.

My parents been using celcom like forever since 010 become 019 era. back then i remember each telco cannot call each other after that 012 and 019 can call each other while 016 cant . Then after that all telco can call each other.

Back to 17 years ago, I bought my hotlink sim with RM130~.
The reason i bought the hotlink not because it is premium.
During that period, maxis/hotlink first 2 secs was not being charged. I used to play missed call game with friends. Those who used digi, TimeCel will charged 1 call block even 0 sec if I picked their calls.

No, validity is not my concern because I do not use OneXOX prepaid. My concern is many maxis subscriber port out to OneXoX prepaid the reason is want to keep their line active for 28 months without reloading or use the service just to keep the number in the drawer as long as they can and caused 012 prefix number less available and Maxis no longer offer to all their products except to their expensive postpaid plan.