Well, I started the this speculating topic: Iphone 3g officially in Malaysia.... SOON? in July '08.

It is glad that Maxis has finally bring in the iphone 3G!! It is really a good news (though I have to apologize as it is NOT the SOON that I expected. )

However, the bad news is the packages are only favour those low data usage group, and it don't have the unlimited data usage packages.

Ok, lets see how much you should pay to Maxis for your iphone 3G :-
(kindly note that for comparison purpose, all contracts below is calculated based on a 24 months, and the cheapest plan.)



A. 6 months contract (only 500mb promotional data)

8gb - Value Plus 80 - RM4,460 = [RM2,540 + (RM80 x 24 months)]
16gb - Value Plus 80 - RM4,880 = [RM2,960 + (RM80 x 24 months)]



Comments: Paying RM2,540 and RM2,960 merely for the Iphone 8gb and 16gb respectively is really not cheap. Some more, you need to tight up with RM80 plan for 6 months with only limited 3G data usage.

B. 12 months contract

8gb - i Value 1 - RM4,300 = [RM1,900 + (RM100 x 24 months)]
8gb - i Value 2 - RM5,428 = [RM1,780 + (RM155 x 12 months) + (RM50 x 12 months) + (RM99 x 12 months)]
8gb - i Value 3 - RM6,278 = [RM1,490 + (RM250 x 12 months) + (RM50 x 12 months) + (RM99 x 12 months)]
8gb - i Value 4 - RM7,368 = [RM1,080 + (RM375 x 12 months) + (RM50 x 12 months) + (RM99 x 12 months)]

16gb - i Value 1 - RM4,690 = [RM2,290 + (RM100 x 24 months]
16gb - i Value 2 - RM5,808 = [RM2,160 + (RM155 x 12 months) + (RM50 x 12 months) + (RM99 x 12 months)]
16gb - i Value 3 - RM6,658 = [RM1,870 + (RM250 x 12 months) + (RM50 x 12 months) + (RM99 x 12 months)]
16gb - i Value 4 - RM7,758 = [RM1,470 + (RM375 x 12 months) + (RM50 x 12 months) + (RM99 x 12 months)]

Assumption: For iValue 2 to iValue 4, assume shifted to Value plus 50 plan plus unlimited data plan after 12 months.



Comments: Paying RM1,900 and RM2,290 merely for the Iphone 8gb and 16gb respectively looks reasonable and actually is cheaper than 6 months contracts stated above. However, 500mb is only suitable for those who don't really use 3G to surf net.

C. 24 months contract

8gb - i Value 1 - RM3,910 = [RM1,510 + (RM100 x 24 months)]
8gb - i Value 2 - RM4,980 = [RM1,260 + (RM155 x 24 months)]
8gb - i Value 3 - RM6,680 = [RM680 + (RM250 x 24 months)]
8gb - i Value 4 - RM9,000 = [RM0 + (RM375 x 24 months)]

16gb - i Value 1 - RM4,290 = [RM1,890 + (RM100 x 24 months)]
16gb - i Value 2 - RM5,360 = [RM1,640 + (RM155 x 24 months)]
16gb - i Value 3 - RM7,060 = [RM1,060 + (RM250 x 24 months)]
16gb - i Value 4 - RM9,260 = [RM260 + (RM375 x 24 months)]



Comments: If you really seldom surf net and really mind about the warranty issues, this i Value 1 - 24 months contract really looks attractive as the phone price is the lowest of the 3 packages. However, hold on, please read my following illustration too!!


Of course, the above is just an simple illustration of what you may need to pay in the next 24 months. In real world, it is normally more complicated. you may shift to other telco or prepaid line after the contract period. That is too far for this discussion.




For those of you who think the Maxis plan not attractive, my following illustration may help you a little bit:-

The price of an 16gb iphone 3G stated in Lowyat.net is ranging from RM2,250 to RM2,650, depends on your luck and bargaining power.

Thus, if you use Maxis Value plus 50 + unlimited data plan, it is equivalent to RM5,826 [RM2,250 + (RM50 x 24 months) + (99 x 24 months)] or RM6,226 [RM2,650 + (RM50 x 24 months) + (99 x 24 months)].

This post has been edited by raycol97: Mar 19 2009, 10:16 AM

Very true, so in other words, the maxis plan is actually CHEAPER for THOSE who use 500mb per month.

Good analysis there.

My only gripe here is the paltry allocation for data. The iPhone is DEAD in the water without data allocation. I would already be more forgiving on the price, should they changed the i-Value plans to include options for unlimited data.

Err you're ignoring the value of included airtime. So, to properly compare a black market Iphone with i-value 4 (for example) you should be comparing with Value Plus 250+unlimited data plan; i.e. RM2250+ (RM349x24) = RM10,626. Vs i-value 4 (using your value) of RM9260, a user should clearly subscribe to i-value 4 vs buying a black market phone given that usage profile.

currently i'm subscribed to Maxis with monthly around rm100 -125. (2 1/2 years)

than i think a great deal for me I-value 1 - 24 month contract.
i only need to pay rm1510 for iphone 3g 8GB and continue to pay my monthly bill as usual rm100 -125

i think all Telco have their own trick under their sleeve .......at the end u paying almost the same amount....

I read somewhere that DiGi is coming out with 3G unlimited for RM49/month

yeah. if u really need the airtime, you should compare it that way. my illustration only opt for the cheapest way. sorry.

btw, i-Value 4 is excluding SMS, whilst Value Plus 250 includes SMS/MMS/additional Maxis hidden fees which counts for a huge chunk of my phone bills.

If an i-Value 4 user uses more than RM56.92 worth of SMS/MMS/etc every month, the price is equal; in addition to the freedom to switch telco and (sell phone + change plan) without paying additional $$ to Maxis.

My personal action : 1) wait for the new iPhone refresh (which is due sometime this year) 2) switch to DiGi 50 + the rumoured rm49 unlimited digi 3g

another rumours?

Another thing to add, you could add value extra of rm8 for 500 maxis to maxis sms. beside its much cheaper now to sms to other network using the ivalue plan

beside the call rate is for ALL networks, instead of maxis to maxis only. Though I would love to see them give more incentive to get the RM155 plan! as the plan is so much better than Digi D50!

http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?f...59&sec=business

'another competitor slashed to RM49'

knowing digi, they'd match it to RM48.90 or something

nice job...

after see ur calculation, if ur wallet no power.. better dont touch

the include data usage is permonth rite?

for such i-value 2 for 24months contract, the 1gb is every month rite?

meaning everymonth u can use 1gb of data

if so then maxis plan srsly cheaper for people who does not use more than that le

maxis plan only start to become expansive for those who use more than 2gb everymonth

Thanks for the info. Syd.

Np, I know a complete statistical analysis would take too much time =p
I only did the math for i-value 4 cos I'm actually the user in my post, I'm currently on Value Plus 250+unlimited data. i-value 4 is clearly superior for me =p

Well, that's not 100% true. Yes, SMS/MMS is included with a Value Plus Plan, but you don't get any free SMSes. You still have to pay, i.e. the cost for them still comes out of your plan.
So under Value Plus 250 your hypothesis only holds if your usage is at or under (2500-x)mins, where x is the amount of SMSes you send, given that 1min=1SMS (both at 10 sen).

Great post, raycol97. Your numbers and your conclusion match up with mine as well when I played around with the rate plans in Excel; the iValue 1 & 2 deals are actually cheaper if 1. you are willing to live with the 12 or 24 month contract 2. you can stay below the talk time and data usage caps and 3. you are a low SMS user. Of course, there are real world complications like the inability to switch providers at will, and a 500mb or 1GB data cap is a big question mark for a net-centric device like the iPhone.

It was pretty amusing to see all the rants and raves about Maxis ripping people off when there were no numbers and calculations to back their conclusions. I guess where Maxis really failed was to structure their iValue plans in a way that it would look like a great deal at first glance.

If it weren't for the fact that I'm waiting to see how the July 2009 iPhone and the Palm Pre shapes up, I would have gone with Maxis already.

This post has been edited by fly: Mar 13 2009, 10:30 PM

in conclusion.. is it better worth to buy an iphone 3g in lynnet and subcribe a digi plan eventhough now digi not yet provided with 3g services ..? XD

ok firstly,
its good that maxis brought in the iphone 3g.
finally right.
and it includes a data plan for rm100/month. that aint too bad but the addition charge needed to purchase the phone is kinda expensive.around rm2500. i think it is possible to get a 16gb one around lyn and still keep your prepaid line.haha.

but secondly, if you opt to use iphone, you gotta have a service provider that has cheap data plan. i dont knw if anyone else is experiencing this or is it just me but my iphone downloads updates from the net almost automatically and at a very high rate! it uses edge/gprs/3g, almost anything it can find. and till now, it cost me a bomb. im not kidding! i went to the maxis centre the other day to have the edge/gprs/3g line disconnected but guess what, it still downloads!
maxis is currently charging 1kb=rm0.01. my current tally is 50+mb so yeah.you can count and see how much im actually paying for this.
if anyone else has experienced this problem too and knows a way to solve this, do pm me.thanks.

but all in all, iphone is finally here. definitely a reason to cheer abt regardless of the price.
peace.

Does it bundle with iphone 3G as a package?

---

Added on March 14, 2009, 8:26 amI have used Maxis before, although on the surface the charges seem the same as Digi, but in the end of the month, with similar usage, Digi somehow end up to be cheaper... Perhaps there are some underlying calculation that makes the total month end bill different, such as how many seconds per block etc...

Thus, although Maxis has my dream iphone, I am NOT going to sign up for their package.



This post has been edited by Kenix L: Mar 14 2009, 08:26 AM

I have made 'booking' the 3G iphone plan with RM100 monthly subs and got a confirmation email yesterday.
But I dont think I will turn up as I feel cheated which RM100/333mins is approx 30sen/second.
500mb data one month is crab. The cost of iphone is imputed in the plan (approx RM40-50 one monht).
Would only consider if they come out with a plan that tends towards heavy data usage.

you are in this thread, read properly this iphone sub forum, and you will know how to solve your "Iphone auto download" problem.

and btw, 1kb = RM0.01, 1000kb/1mb = rm10, 10mb = rm100

so yeah, you better go and sign up for unlimited data usage for rm99 every month and its more worth it.

ok heres some additional info i got from calling 123.

No matter which plans you take the warranty will always be 12 months,can walk in to any apple reseller and its a one on one exchange.Sweet for those of you who think buying from garage sales but worried about warranty this is the best workround,safety first right?

You cant trade up with maxis your iphone once the next revision iphone is in.

There's no Iphone only package,everything is tied up to a plan for now.

If lets say you are currently in a maxis value plan and have sub lines under you and you were to have the free callls and sms you cant enjoy that privelage anymore as you are in the iValue plan and the sub lines are in the normal value plan.

This post has been edited by nimrod323: Mar 14 2009, 05:00 PM

can claim warranty for the iphone from other countries with Malaysia local apple reseller?

nope iphone warranty is such that its a localized warranty meaning you can only claim from the country the iphone was bought from

why they dont have international warranty ar?
apple wanna be like micro$oft

do you even own an apple product (with the exception of iphones) in the first place?

This post has been edited by nokia2003: Mar 14 2009, 09:12 PM

very expensive la.. get a standalone unlocked set + unlimited data better..

This post has been edited by cs_ooi: Mar 14 2009, 08:57 PM

dude, the reason why they paired this way is to mitigate the cost over a period of time so that you dont have to pay the full amount,then again you can always pop by garage sales and get the iphone but the privileges earned by signing up with maxis especially warranty you cant enjoy.

hmm..maxis's price seems kinda high to me. How come people can get singtel phone for only RM22xx? I want to get one also from Singtel. Can tell me how to get for RM22xx without those subscriptions?

Head over to Garage Sales

Wait Wednesday to find out whats in store for 3.0.

Wait for June/July when the new iPhone pops out.

By then its likely to have another telco provider to choose from.

Or I could just get the Pre.

The more you wait, the more choice you will have......

BTW, my original iPhone is still going strong...

Edit: edited my post which kept repeating....

This post has been edited by BegRedBarr: Mar 16 2009, 08:43 PM

I agree. This is why I'm baffled by the people, mostly on prepaid, who don't use data and don't spend much on their phone bill. They complain the plans are expensive, and overlook the fact they are willing to pay RM2000-RM3000 for technology they don't use. Where's the logic?

It also doesn't make sense to pay RM99 for unlimited data on top of the data you already pay for in the i-Value plans. Where's the logic?

However, I think most people overestimate how much data they require. The minimum offered 500MB is fairly significant. I can check email, keep up with news, perform all the related tasks necessary for running a business and come nowhere near to 500MB in a month. This is obviously not true for everyone, but do take another look at your usage if you are unsure about the offered plans.

Also, if you live and work in KL you'll find that you're pretty much in the constant glow of a Wi-Fi hotspot. Mobile data's pretty much only useful in the car.

but always bear in mind that the monthly payments is not given out to maxis for free, its still credit (talktime) . fair enough i guess.

@zer0hour,
Well... it's always good to have data connectivity wherever you are, plus generally most of us here do not work and live in KL where there's wifi everywhere!

Yupz, I know, mobile data is important for those outside KL. I'm just saying, for someone like me 2-3GB is way more than enough cos of wifi.
Office (KLCC) wifi, home (Bangsar) wifi, most cafes+restaurants, even my gym, wifi. That pretty much leaves car+kopitiam as places I would use mobile data =p

I purchased my iphone 3G in Aug '08.

Personally, I think most of the free wifi services in kl sxxks. Most of the time, I would rather use the 3G service, as it is fast enough to surf net or other fuctions (I have tried both the 3G services of Maxis and Celcom)..

So, for me, unlimited data plan is CRUCIAL..

as it is every1 complainin bout the plan, if maxis includes unlimited data, the price will sky rocket. any1 got any insight bout digi's mobile data package 3g?

Really? I had the Iphone 2G for a year, and the HTC Touch HD after. Wifi speed>3G speed at most of the places I visit.
Dodgy cafes are the exception of cos, some of those places are terrible.

Theoritically, WIFI should be faster than 3G... However, the only place I found wifi most reliable is... my house..

Anyway, once u get used to 3G, u will be lazy to search around for the WIFI spot.. just my 2 cents.

Nah I don't mean theoretically. As for searching around for Wifi spots, the ones I use are pretty much all the same network name, so it autoconnects.
Examples: WirelessKL, starbucks, timezone, etc.

3g coverage is spotty ler. Using speedtest, at my office I normally get 1mbps download. At my house (10 mins drive away), it drops to 100+kbps download. I don't care la cos at home I'll wifi instead.

ok, will do a test this week when i found some wifi spots this week, and will post the results here..

thanks for the good info! almost clicked submit just now at maxis promotion. LoL! Lucky i got sense

Firstly, I settle for 24 months contract Ivalue2 as I feel good price then i feel cheated after calculating the price...

But bear in mind for 155/month u only get RM80 talk time plus u need to top up for ur sms and mms charges, and u lost all the previlege with ur supp line...
Well u get 1G data and who cares I can wifi all over KL or I just switch to 80 value plus plan and top up 99 for unlimited data...

First glance 1260 for an Iphone is cheap but how about I use 80 value plan and pay 2580 for an iphone, the difference is 2580-1260=1320

But i save 75 for 24 months as 75x24=1800

Moreover, I can switch to Digi for its cheap unlimited 3G after 6 months, its better solution for ppl like me who prefer warranty stuffs in Malaysia... For whom dont, welcome to garage sales...

Just my 2 cents...

do you guy got any idea about how to get cheap unlimited data from maxis??

@alexkwlee,
What do U mean by 'cheap' unlimited data?! Maxis does have a RM99 p/month unlimited data plan which you can subcribe to over and above your existing plan.

Guys... good calculation there. I believe if you are using the data and enough talktime, Maxis plan is always the best way to go about getting the iphone.

But I believe for people like me, who only uses Value 50 and not thinking of using more, then, it becomes expensive.

Let's say for 16G i-value 1, 24 months. RM1890. And additional of RM50 x 24 = RM1890+1200 = 3190.00. If I get from outside, probably I need to pay RM2600...
Hmmm.... How? Actually it is dilemma...

ur talkin bout bein on contract for 2yrs.. dats one heck of a loooong time. the most ideal is 1yr. wat if after 1 year a new iphone is released or u like another fone, are u gonna break ur contract? unless maxis offers an upgrade package similar to AT&T.

@deepan84,
I don't think Maxis will be offering an upgrade should a new iPhone be made available; it was stated in their plans this plan is independent of its own.

I have to agree 2 years is a long time. I dont think anyone will keep the phone for 2 years - as technology changes so fast. 12 months is still the best option IMO.

Well as you stated the additional cost of RM590 buys you two things:
1. Additional RM50 worth of services per month; i.e. 500MB of data. However there's one caveat here: your Value Plus 50 airtime costs RM0.12 per min, which translates to 416min of airtime.
I-value 1 only provides 333min. So you're effectively losing 83min. Also, your SMSes are charged separately, unlike now where it's part of your plan.
Mathematical note: to obtain those 83min again, you have to pay 15sen per min, or RM12.45 per month. That adds another RM298.8 to your cost. Thus total cost = RM590+RM298.8 = RM888.8
2. Maxis 12 month exchange warranty.

So the question to ask yourself is 'Is it worth it to pay RM888.8 over 24 months for 12GB of mobile data + maxis exchange warranty'?

Another consideration is that your upfront cost is lower, whereas your 'upkeep' cost is higher with i-value, whereas the reverse is true with Value Plus+black market phone.

em... you don't need data plan? or 3G??

then, why are you buying iphone 3G?? better get a iphone original lah..

This is exactly why maxis 'won't be that good'. They take a significant financial risk with these contracts.
And who do you think pays the risk premium for unscrupulous behavior like this? Us, the consumer.

This post has been edited by zer0hour: Mar 19 2009, 03:33 PM

Hi zer,

There are a lots of people out there don't really bother about Airtime, as they won't really fully use the RM50 (calls + sms) everymonth.

For example, I was a Hotlink user, paying only RM30.00 to top up per month, and "wifing" during the original iphone era. (Cost per month: < RM30, as you can bought after the unuse balance)

Then, last year, I bought iphone 3g, sadly, I have to convert to Value Plus 50, pay RM50 + RM99 unlimited data plan + 5% tax + other billing charges somemore. (Cost per month: ~RM161)

Only after MNP, I shift to Celcom's Exec 20, so cost reduced to RM20 + monthly usage + RM99 + tax + others (Cost per month: ~RM140)

So, for me, what is MOST important is UNLIMITED DATA PLAN!!!

so... now you know.. why there are so many "blackmarkets" iphone 3G coming from US, Hong Kong and Singapore...

Some more, some credit cards got 1 month insurance coverage, right? Oops..

This post has been edited by raycol97: Mar 19 2009, 03:52 PM

Yep I know. There was an earlier post of mine I think where I said that ppl with these usage profiles weren't the target market for Maxis' Iphone launch at all.
My most recent post (the one you replied to) was a mathematical comparison for timothyy between i-value 1 and VP50.

Just so happens that the math also shows that people with low usage profiles shouldn't sign up with Maxis =p

This post has been edited by zer0hour: Mar 19 2009, 06:26 PM

This is one thing I don't really understand... since apple resellers don't carry iPhones other than Maxis, how could they offer one-to-one exchange...?

You sure it's the apple resellers and not maxis authorised resellers or something...?

The sole distributor of iPhone in Malaysia, at least at this point in time, is Maxis. The resellers are authorized agents of Maxis and should there be any problem with the phones, ultimately it is Maxis to which the resellers will revert to, which will exchange them one for one.

but what i'm referring here is apple resellers, and to my knowledge, apple resellers are not authorised maxis agents... unless apple malaysia and maxis are playing a different ball game altogether...

If by Apple Resellers you mean Machines then I remember reading somewhere that they are one of the authorized agents.

i-Value1 24 month contract only provides 333mins(333xRm0.15=Rm49.95)!
So u pay another Rm50 for the 500Mb data, ultimately u will pay more than Rm100 every month according to ur current monthly usage(Rm100-Rm125 just for voice)!!!

hmm.. you guys notice that you can't check your current usage under iValue plan, what a crap. i think Maxis didnt prepare anything program for this new plan for iphone.

I am on iValue 100, which is ONLY rm50 for Voice and rm50 for Data. i have no idea where is my current usage, according to Maxis helpline, i will found out when i exits my monthly limit (which is RM100)

LOL, what a xxxx service by Maxis..

say, out of curiosity, for the high volume users, how much data do you average per month on 3G?

i'm perpetually on my 3G network whenever i'm out of the house and i can barely touch 400mb/month

I think 500MB is quite a bit but if your call usage is also high, get the iValue 2 (1GB data free)?

hmm. yeah, that's what I was thinking off too, which had me pondering on what the fuss is about unlimited data vs 500mb per month.

unlimited data plan for mobile phones are a waste.
people don't usually use that much.

Do you realize that the standard phone bill is never just phone usage alone? Digging out one of my old bills to use as an example:

On a standard plan, Bill amount of RM130. Usage is RM130. Out of that, the monthly charges alone is already RM60, not including the phone charges as yet. And total talk time for that bill is only 237 minutes.

I think many people has moved to those Value 50, 80 plan rather than staying with those which imposes monthly rental charges. For example, I am using Value 80 and I can have all RM80 to make calls, sms. The only thing I have to top up are like Extra Ten, Caller Ringtone.

there is one type of usage which will maximise your unlimited data package; jailbreak your iPhone and from there, use voip services over the network.

i don't deny that i'm mildly frustrated with the fact that i can only use my skype credits whenever a (use-able) wifi signal is present.

furthermore, itunes/app store will not allow you to download contents exceeding 10mb in size. hence that's another data saver maneuver.

having said that, i have just recently purchased the DDR application (more than 100mb in size) and not only that i cannot download the app over the wifi via my iPhone, i have to actually use my macbook pro to download it separately and then installing it thereafter. what a hassle i tell you!




This post has been edited by nokia2003: Mar 30 2009, 12:25 AM

Come to think of it, would you want to download a 100mb app via your device anyways?

Different strokes for different folks. I'm more of a data-heavy, talk-less person, I tend to use my iPhone to do productive things than just talking into it. And to be productive, I need data allocation that is not restricted to a set ceiling. For example, I need to use the Foreflight app, to prep me early for work with details I needed like weather forecast, Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) downloads, METAR/TAF readouts, radar mapping (should the need arise, like typhoons over coastal Japan and China), and that is for this app alone. Read my news by Mobile NEws Network app, update data on the Units app, 3G GPS manoevering while in Malaysia, not to mention my constant need to be connected to my favourite news network(here and the States, as well as other related items like tech, Apple-related, tons more), and that 3GB ceiling can look a little bit cramped.

Hi, wondering can you please note down your average usage , eg average hour per day, what kind of download usage, how many MB per day etc?

i've subscribed to Maxis RM8 per month for 5MB data and i hardly can finish it. max i've reached is 4MB which includes occasional usage of GPS routing, weather & surfing when really in need.

loading a Lowyat.NET forum page took around 300kb btw.

Some sites have plenty of images so it would eventually finish up your bandwidth in no time. Btw, if we subscribe iValue 1, can we upgrade iValue 2?

yes you can. do refer to the T&C attached for download for further information. point no. 4 & 5.

switching between iValue plans is allowed but you can't enjoy higher discount on the phone available on higher rate plans.

i'm a data heavy person too. just that speed on edge (since only edge is available in moscow) couldn't bring me anywhere. i could only use around 300mb out of the free 1gb they give every month and hell that is pretty hard to achieve it. really frustated i couldn't utilise all of this.

Turning off Signature view does help a lot though. And not to mention, far less scrolling to be done too

they should have some offer to make SMS cheaper for their iValue plans

u cud always subscribe to d value extra sms.. u can save alot if u msg maxis numbers.

den what if i had current maxis plan, can i move to iValue plan too?

yes you can. read more about it HERE. FAQs are downloadable.

Do I understand correctly?: Is it possible to order a separate RM99 unlimited 3G dataplan at Maxis?

I was thinking of getting the 12 months plan, cheapest available but that one has crappy datalimits.

i think the rates is more expensive compare to the standard value plan. it's also cheaper for sms & call between maxis to maxis on standard value plan compare to the iphone plan. but more importantly you dont get to enjoy the 20 hours free call & sms for call between main & supplementary lines anymore. on top of that you cannot share airtime between supplementary line anymore. for me it's just ain't worth it. if i dont need a supplementary line i'll probably go for the 24 months plan. anyway i hope everyone hold on their purchase in hope that maxis dont sell enough iphones forcing them to lower the price. dont let maxis bully us around.

In US people queue for iphone, in malaysia maxis has to do roadshow & heavy advertisement to sell. i think you all know why

but please bare in mind that, the iValue plan is not including SMS! which means even thru you are not making any calls on that month but SMS 10 sms out, you still need to pay 100 + 1.00 (for sms) for that month, confirmed by Maxis Staff...

that's why Maxis enable iValue plan users to addon a SMS plan for 8 bucks per month where you can send out 500 SMSes to Maxis numbers.

If I'm gonna bind myself to a contract, my requirement is:

1) The phone I'm gonna get is cheap. Why else would I get a contract?
2) The minimum monthly payment includes everything I'm gonna use, which is calls, SMS, MMS and data.
3) The minimum monthly must be equal to what I'm currently paying monthly.

So, IMO

1) The iPhone can be cheap, but it'll contradict with no. 3.
2) Plans only include calls and data. I don't like the idea of paying more than my monthly commitment.
3) Refer to #1. I'm averaging between RM50-70 per month now with Digi. RM100 is reasonable considering the data offered, but again, it contradicts #1.

My opinion-lah. I'd love to have an iPhone, but I can be patient and wait to see if Maxis may change its plans. I already have an iPod touch and a decent 3g phone, so I won't really miss much without an iPhone

According to sources, Maxis did achieve selling more than 10,000 iphone during launch month. Let's see if they can maintain it for the next few months.

Pure speculation on my part. I think staff members have taken a big portion of the inventory and besides serious users buying, there are others signing up to sell for a profit.

However, I do not think they can sustain.

you are definitely right. with the mounting speculation of the upcoming, new iPhone, i fail to see how maxis will be able to sell within their proposed target.

maxis has always viewed that success of securing the iPhone contract is crucial as a way to win back its market share (even worse with the implementation of MNP recently).

however i'm rather sceptical whether it will work towards maxis advantage or vice versa. without a doubt, there will be a lot of pissed off consumers if they do find out the truth this June.