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DiGi's Wireless Broadband - Broadband Done Right

Finally I manage to get my hand on DiGi's Wireless 3G Broadband, one of the new kids on the block in term of wireless broadband service offering.

DiGi is one of last 3G Broadband service provider in town to roll out it's service because it has just obtained license about a year ago through Time.com Bhd. Since then it has been reported that DiGi embarked on an aggressive network expansion to support 3G technology on its network. The Broadband service has been launched in 3 strategic location, namely Klang Valley, Penang and Kuching.

The Broadband package is currently bundle with a HuaWei Wireless USB Modem. I took the Discover Package for RM58/month plus another RM15/month installment for the modem(12 months). That worked out to be RM180 for the modem which is still relatively cheap compare to what is available in the market today. Anyway, shall talk in details on the packages later. Lets start off with the packaging.

The Broadband Modem is compactly packed in a nice lunch box size package just like the picture below.






Features includes:
- HSPA/UMTS 2100 MHz and EDGE/GPRS/GSM900/1800/1900MHz
- Support up to 7.2Mbps high speed downlink packet access(HSDPA) and 4.5Mbps high speed uplink packet access (HSUPA)
- MicroSD Slot, supporting up to 8GB Memory size
- Plug and Play (Installation Software embedded in the modem)

System Requirement:
- Standard USB Interface
- Microsoft (R) Windows(R) 2000, XP, Vista and MAC.
- 50MB free disk space
- 128 MB Ram


What's in the package?


Well the package which I got comes with a HuaWei E230 HSPA USB Modem, a sim card(3G data enabled), 3 types of USB data cable (to connect the modem and your pc/laptop), modem clip(to clip the modem on your notebook screen), and a user guide book.


The 3G Data Service runs on IMSI 69 Sim Card

A closer look on the modem. its about 6cm long.


Step 1: Open the Sim card slot


Step 2: Insert your DiGi 3G Data Sim Card

Step 3: Connect any of the 3 USB Data Cable provided(depending on your preference)


Step 4: Connect the other end of the modem to your pc/laptop's USB Slot


Step 5: You will see a new drive(DiGi Internet) appear in My Computer(similar to plugging in your USB thumb drive)


Step 6: When you double click on the DiGi Internet Drive, you will see these files. Click on AutoRun.exe (program application)







Step 7: You will see these step by step installation guide. Just click next, next, next and wait for installation to complete. Then click finish.


Next double click on the DiGi Internet Icon on your desktop and you will see the interface below:



Step 9: Click on Connect..

Step 10: Tadaa. You are connected.


I've tried using the modem for the pass 1 month in several location, and I must say that I'm very impressed by the connection. I've tried using it at several location around SS2, TTDI, Subang, Bangsar Village, Bandar Utama and the connection I got were impressive. I've tried connecting at ComputerWars (a IT shop at SS2) and the download speed were as fast as 2Mbps with a minimum of 1.2Mbps. You can ask the 2 employees at ComputerWars, James and Yoong. They too were as impressed as I'm. I've also tried at TTDI and was amaze that the download speed were at 4Mbps to 5Mbps. The connection is stable during my trial and I didn't experience any interruption/disconnection. DiGi really did live up to it's claim Broadband Done Right!!!



This is one of the snap shot while trying at SS2.


When it comes to Broadband Connection, users will always have 2 main concern:


1.) Connectivity (Speed, Connection time, Stability)
In term on connection time, its really fast, as the modem gets a connection in less than 15 second after clicking on the Connect Button, The connection was stable and speed was above acceptable level, much faster compared to my Streamyx connection which cost me RM66 /month and still give me downtime once every 2 month.

2.) Price
The entry level plan is the discovery which is good enough for more user who needs a fast and stable connection to check emails, news, chats, stocks, blogging, YouTube and music download. However please bear in mind that all Wireless Broadband provider place a cap on the download. Once you hit the maximum data download for the particular month, your speed will be throttled to a lower speed.

Nevertheless, at RM58 its consider cheap compared to Streamyx. If you opt to get a modem outside, you will be a discount of RM5 off your monthly subscription, which means you only pay RM53/month. Plus you get another Rm5 discount if you sign up for Autobilling using your credit card. This will bring the price down to RM48 a month. Now at that price, its even cheaper than my Astro subscription and i certainly use the Internet more than my Astro Service.

If you would like to purchase your own modem, I would personally recommend that you purchase a Prolink HSPA Wireless Modem + Router. With that device, you will be able to plug in the DiGi 3G Data Sim Card into the Modem, follow the simple step to setup and you will have you very own WiFi hot spot running on DiGi Broadband. I've personally tried the Prolink modem with the DiGi Sim card and it works well. ** Take note that not all sim card based modem/router are compatible. Thus I advice you to try it out before buying or risk losing your hard earn cash.

3.) Coverage
This will be the only draw back using DiGi Wireless Broadband at the moment. At this point in time, the connection is only available in certain parts of Klang Valley, Penang and Kuching. Please take note that all Wireless Broadband provider are not able to guarantee that you 3G connection everywhere you go, as the connectivity depends very much on the geographical location. I'll suggest you check the coverage area before subscribing to the service. You may read more at the official website: www.digi.com.my/broadband

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