Yeah, I don't understand why the upload rate is so low. I see some of the speed test results with very very high download rate but the upload rate is surprising such a large difference. The ratio is simply too large. I think it will somehow affect overall performance. By right it should be around 300-400kbps for optimal balance.

If your connection goes through a proxy, then your speed test will be 'influenced'.

Hmm... I thought a typical HSUPA connection would have an upload rate of around 0.5Mbps-2Mbps (theoretical)? Usually typical HSDPA upload rate is around 384kbps. But Maxis's upload rate is around 30kbps so it looks like their network limitation since their Huawei USB modems are standard.

Can someone share usage experience in location like Cheras. Particularly Taman Midah?

Strange, I borrowed one MaxisBB + E220 and tried it out at a location near PGRM. The connection was EDGE and it stays there. I had to force it to 3G only and it picked up HSDPA with maximum bar. Download speeds were nearing 1Mbps. Pretty good. Then I move to my location in Taman Midah and I can only get 200-380kbps. I wonder why... It looks like its capped at 380kbps no matter what time of the day.

Pretty sure the service plan allows more than that and the quota has not been reached yet.

Yes, I got mine yesterday evening. If you opt for the 1.5GB package with modem, you will have to pay upfront RM150. This RM150 will be deducted RM30 per month for the first 5 months. So you pay RM48-30 = RM18 for the first 5 months. From then onwards, you pay back RM48 for as long as you use the service.

You can upgrade/downgrade the number of quota but only limited to the 1.5GB/3GB/6GB package. 12GB option is excluded. Say you want to terminate before you first 5 months is up, you will lose the upfront payment. I'm not sure if they have other administration charges.The modem is yours but it will be locked to Maxis network though. You can get it unlocked easily by requesting assistance from here.

Speed is pretty impressive depending on your location, time and congestion. You most definitely need to strategically place the modem so that you get good reception. Then you will get pretty good speeds (like more than 1Mbps). Ensure your PC processor is still capable because I read that it will improve throughput (unsure though). I recommend you take the Maxis modem Huawei E1762 because it can do HSDPA 7.2Mbps and HSUPA 5.76Mbps (network dependent) for future compatibilities.

Just remember that your subscribed quota will be 1.5GB. Exceeding this limit will result in your speed being throttled. You will still be able to online as oppose to some party (from phone shop) insisting that you will be cut off. Checkout Maxis's terms and conditions to avoid disappointment.

This post has been edited by davidmak: Mar 25 2010, 10:23 PM

Try moving around with your laptop and see if the reception improves (check dashboard). Then not the location. Continue until you have covered all the convenient places. If you're using a router, then you move it to that place. If you're on direct connection to laptop, guess you may have to consider moving your place.

Also note that some place may not have HSDPA reception or it is weak. So you're hopped back to WCDMA. If still low, it may hop down to Edge and then GPRS. But your modem and dashboard should be configured to only connect to WCDMA by default.

Its the same everywhere you go (for GSM-based mobile broadband) bro. Just look at your monthly usage, if its not much... you won't hit the threshold quota anyway.

Just call up their customer consultant and tell them you want to upgrade. The change may take up to 24 hours to take effect. Mine was almost instant. I also confirmed with Maxis that we can upgrade and downgrade at any time during the service tenure even after the promotion period.

Billing will be pro-rated and charge according depending on which day of the month you make the upgrade/downgrade. Upgrade and downgrade options are 1.5/3/6GB. 12GB not included.

Not only cheapest, its the best at this price. 7.2Mbps download, 5.76Mbps upload... Of course... all this means is that it will be future proof and operational when Maxis or other telcos (if you choose to unlock) upgrade their infrastructures.

I realize that most mobile broadband service cannot sustain high upload data rates. Nothing to do with the technology because I was using Digi Broadband in its early days and was maxing at 3xxkbps. Then it was reduce to 2xxkbps and finally somewhere similar to Maxis. I don't know if this is telco related or what... but it doesn't seem to affect our regular browsing, streaming and downloading since we use downloads more for these purposes.

Maybe they trying to curtail P2P sharers? I do know a few MBs email attachment takes a long time to upload. Thats the only problem I see. For gaming, still ok ok lar...

Which is exactly the point I indicated...

Its all area dependent. But I'm willing to accept anything above 1+Mbps for daily use. For too long we have been limited to 1Mbps de facto standard because we afford higher subscription fees. Its time to not look at subscription fees based on speed but based on bandwidth. Like how we transitioned from time-based charges (dial up) to where we are today (broadband).

That way, we get to enjoy high speed internet as long as it is available but limited to the quota we subscribed. Maxis seems to be able to further this philosophy at the moment.

Last I check no stock too. But I was told stock will be replenished this week.

I really hope not. Things were just getting sweet...

The setting will stick even if you connect without using the Maxis branded dashboard. When you set it the first time, that setting is stored within the USB modem's internal memory. So even if you connect it to a 3G router, the setting will still stick because it is not dashboard dependent.

Wah really selling like hot cakes.


By the way people! You can get more consistent results by purchasing an external 3G antenna. I got mine from vios7 (LYN trader) and it improves my signal and reception a lot. I realize positioning of the USB modem is essential in order to achieve higher data rates. With this antenna, it will extend the capability of the modem.

I think those super high speed measurements are burst speeds like other forumers mentioned here. Most important is to download a large file and see the download speed after few minutes. I noticed mine is hovering around 200-250KB/sec which is very good for me. Thats more like 2Mbps...

Hey! I live in Cheras area too. Taman Midah's my place. Reception is acceptable here. Speed is simply marvelous.

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Added on April 8, 2010, 8:19 amYup thats the one I bought. It is a little pricey but I can't find other alternatives. I had a feeling that it is pretty simple to make. But I have no access to spectrum analyzers and I can't use my company's hehehe...

This post has been edited by davidmak: Apr 8 2010, 08:19 AM

True, it is just one 'wire'. But we need to know the resonance frequency or which frequency to tune to so that it will match Huawei's modem (impedance). This will ensure max power is transferred to the modem for performance (gain).

But the point is whether your subscription allows more than 384kbps upload. Most readings I find from everyone here (either using Digi, Maxis, Celcom, UMobile) is around 0.1-0.2Mbps. We never hit 2Mbps. Of course we do have a few exceptions here but they don't represent every user's experience.

Now, most of them out of stock or slow stock pickup because PC Fair is just next week. A lot of pile up is in the process for that purpose. So stocks should be plenty there.

Unlocked and enabled hidden features mah hahaha... I have one too. Bought from a trader here. But my 3G router is unable to 'use' it to connect to network. My E1762 from Maxis can work. Funny both are the same modem from Maxis.


By the way to everyone, have you noticed that when you connect to Maxis the very first time... things really slow to load until you purposely have to go to mylaunchpad.com.my and MUST log in? My connection will struggle to go pass that page before I'm able to surf smoothly.

Another thing... when you leave the modem on idle, you will notice that the bright blue LED will change into a dim blue indicating that you have been dropped to WCDMA mode. But when I use the connection again, things would slow to a crawl and after some painful minutes... things begin to go ok again. You will notice that the modem keep changing its LED color as if it got disconnected or something. This whole cycle repeats... This symptom can be seen with either modem directly connected to PC or a router.

Actually the definition of unlock is by using a utility and keygen to unlock the modem to allow the use of other telco SIM other than Maxis's. The one that I bought from a trader here has enabled a hidden voice feature through a patch I believe. This feature is on every E1762 but not enabled on Maxis's E1762. The Maxis dashboard software supports this though. Anyway I doubt our Maxis broadband SIM has voice enabled. Probably only data.

I'm using DIR-412. I used to have the HW550 but it died on me few days ago so I never had the chance to try out this E1762 that I bought from a trader here. I noticed that this particular modem has hidden features enabled so maybe thats the issue. But bottom line, the DIR-412 supports Maxis E1762 no issue. However, the DIR-412 has some incorrect APN names so you need to type in manually. I believe it supports all Huawei modems so no worry there.

And yes, the problem I mentioned happens only for Maxis. Digi no problem. I had a long call with the Maxis technical support engineer. And we discussed this extensively and he acknowledges the problem. Has escalated to the network engineers for a solution. Not sure what they will do but maybe adjust the time-out period? Digi did the same thing too. Remember during the early weeks of Digi Broadband? I noticed the same thing but they later adjusted the time-out period so that websites could load properly.

I know what you're seeing this jump in speed. This is of primary importance for everyone. Like a mobilephone, you need to position your 3G modem strategically in order to obtain good reception and signal quality. When you use the long cable, it probably improved its positioning and was able to get good speed.

I realize if reception and RSSI value is low, the modem will scale back its speed. Once these values improve or when you re-position it so that it can get good reception, the speed will jump back to normal.

Both modems actually have the same Maxis Broadband branding. One is from Maxis Broadband subscription and the other from a trader who also sourced it from Maxis and unlocked it. So they must be the same. Only the voice-enabled E1762 is not working with the DIR-412. The stock one works.

Personally I feel the DIR-412 to be better than HW550-3G. The router web configuration responds quicker than Aztech's. It also has more features and configuration so you get more control on the router. The Aztech is really a simple router with not much advanced firewall controls. Just make sure it works with your modem before buying.