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 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.

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.

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.

I almost forgot about this free 2 second no charge. I remember I discovered this method to talk with my college friends without spending the talk credit that cost RM0.60/min by quick talk within a second and hang up the call. Only can use this method with your friend that use Maxis prepaid not postpaid. Then every maxis prepaid user start to use this method until Maxis decided to end this 2 sec no charge I believe too many people using this method to communicate. Sometimes I got charged when talk over 3 sec. Need a good skills to end the call on time.. well it is fun and save money... Anyone use this method before?

I think Maxis knows and have the number of it or this prefix numbers control by government ? I am not sure how the MNP works . Meaning how the other telco can provide their network services using other telco prefix numbers.

Meaning that every telco can simply register the number of their choice in the system, example, Digi has the exclusive rights to 016, so every telco company must get permission from Digi to use the prefix number and Digi also can register 012,013, etc prefix number in their system but how the system can be control in order not to be double register.
For example, i own 016 from Digi and port out to maxis, then stay with Maxis for a long period of 10 years, how Digi will know that the number is no longer available to Digi in order to avoid double register exist? Is the control system under government control? If the system control by telco own system, there is possible of system glitch and caused missing information. Is it works like call forwarding? All call, sms and data will go through Digi first and then forward to Maxis?

Any expert here can explain?

So you are the one of those who keep the 012 number and not using it right? keep it in the drawer and once a while use it..
If there is no long validity package, do you still keep the number and top up or subscribe lowest postpaid plan? Every month spend RM30 to maintain it?

I see... but you still in Maxis, what is your reason to get a new number instead of using this hotlink number? The new number is with Maxis or other telco? can share your reason?

I see, I think scammers is depend of the luck because their system randomly call the number.
I am not from the telco line. Just a person who like 012 prefix number yet unable to find one from prepaid or hotlink postpaid. Need to pay premium price to own the number, so that is not my choice. I also spend some time to look for prepaid 012 prefix number in the local and interstate hand phone shop but fail to find one during MCO. Frustrated and try to find the reason.

I wonder scammer target to scam which telco number? 012? 016? 019? For me i received a few times early last year which is automated voice stated you got saman mahkamah and need to press number for following action. I did not respond to the instruction and it auto end call. Until now no more received any of the call. Is it the ring busted by the police?