Maxis broadband is crap!
20Jan2008 Filed under: Maxis Broadband Author: Awangku Yusli 2,026 viewsI had problems connecting to the internet last Friday evening. I called Maxis helpline to ask what went wrong and I was told that they were having problems with their 3G network. They didn’t know when it will be fixed. I was then advised to wait for roughly 24 hours before trying again.
What a load of crap!
I’m subscribed to the Maxis broadband Power package with the peak speed up to 3.6 Mbps. But I’d be lucky to consistently get 100 Kbps. Broadband indeed! Oh, hang on. There’s a small print that says “Speed of service is on best effort basis”. There you go! All of us subscribers should now accept that we will never get those published speeds. Hey, can’t really blame them when they did try their best, can we?
Makes me wonder what their normal effort is. Hah!
I still don’t understand that on best effort basis thing, though. Does it mean Maxis does not have the infrastructure and capabilities to actually produce the maximum speed they claim they can provide? It’s probably the same with all the other internet service providers. I know TMNet Streamyx is like that.
So I’m paying RM103 every month (RM98 fees + RM5 for itemised billings) for a broadband service that doesn’t even deserve to be called broadband. Speed test? Most of the time the speed I got was less than dial-up.
If it was not for the RM1,000+ that I have to pay to terminate my Maxis broadband account, I would have done that last week. Why do I have to pay that much, you ask? Because Maxis requires new subscribers to sign an 18-month contract with them, that’s why. So if I want to stop using Maxis before the end of the contract period, I have to pay for the rest of the unused months. And why did I sign up with Maxis in the first place? Because the other broadband providers were too slow to offer their services.
Related posts:
- Terminating my Maxis broadband account - Part 1
- Terminating my Maxis broadband account - Part 2
- Terminating my Maxis broadband account - Part 3
- Celcom broadband is definitely better
- Feedback on Maxis Broadband?
29 Responses to “Maxis broadband is crap!”
Leave a reply
Upcoming Netball Tournaments
» UUM Open
· 17-18 October 2008
· Contact: Dila 017-574.2202
Mas 012-511.2996
» Rembau Open
· November 2008
· Contact: Puan Zaharah 012-635.9493
» Figos Open
· November 2008
» TNB Open
· 13-14 December 2008
· Contact: Cik Khairun 019-237.6799
Visitors
Today: 2
Britneysa
January 20th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
memang maxis broadband tuh mcam @$%&! i was surprised u can even post this cause i’ve been trying to get connected ever since 2 days ago… and u’re right, after i bought maxis package then only celcom came out with a similar package plus cheaper… talk about getting screwed… darn!
CC
January 21st, 2008 at 11:38 am
apala… i dah taip semua.. tapi hilang kerana tak key in email… tapi i support you… Maxis… Zzzz itu we call it malaysia boleh…
Daitako
January 21st, 2008 at 11:55 am
I agree 100% with you, MAXIS IS TOTALLY CRAP! I was among the first Malaysian to subscribe to their service, the Power Package (RM98.00). I had a problem last month with regards to my modem, the speed is so sloooow even compare to a friend of mine who is using the basic package at RM68.00. I went to Maxis centre to report about this problem. They tested my modem and said that they have fixed it. I brought back the modem and the same problems occurs again. I’m so furious and report back to them. They can’t solve my problem, can you imagine that. To make the long story short, I finally found out through googling the internet that my ZTE modem firmware needed to be upgraded. It was in fact mentioned in their website but the Maxis guys couldn’t bother to find out about it. Finally I manage to update the modem myself and solve the problem.
I had many experiences before when I can’t connect to the internet for 2 or 3 days, this also happens to many of my students whom I used to promote them to use Maxis Broadband before. I never had this problem before with Streamyx (but the problem is that Streamyx is stationary). There was no notice or whatsoever received from Maxis. When you complained, they’ll try to blame it on your hardware.
I’ve made up my mind to terminate my Maxis B’band but I can’t because of the 18 months contract. Can you imagine that they provide us with that kind of service and expect us to adhere to the contract, what a crap!
I had experienced so many misery with the Maxis B’band, I’m a Forex Trader and I had this problem of Maxis internet line keep on dropping, and I loose my trade. How about that as a compensation for the contract? I’m going to tell the world about Maxis BAD service! Maybe I should consider changing to other service provider, how about Izzi? Low Yat here I come…
Awangku Yusli
January 21st, 2008 at 12:21 pm
I understand completely your situation.
A friend of mine advised me to look at the terms & conditions of the contract to see whether there’s any loophole somewhere. His friend subscribed to Telekom, also under contract, but somehow the friend managed to terminate the account due to bad service. I think that was considered as non-delivery by Telekom, which translates to a breach of the contract.
I will let everybody know of the progress. If there’s a loophole which can be exploited, let’s announce it to the world so that we can do a mass termination of the contract with Maxis. Hehehehehe..
Question: Let’s say we were successful. Which ISP would you recommend? Celcom? Izzi? Jaring?
Daitako
January 21st, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Thank you for your reply Awangku Yusli. If you’ve found the loophole please let us know, I’ll try to check it out myself with my lawyer friend. Hopefully we can proceed with the plan of mass termination in the near future he he.
I heard Izzi is good because of the different technology (iBurst: HC-SDMA, High Capacity Spatial Division Multiple Access technology) that they use. You may find more information about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBurst and also from their website here: http://www.izzi.com.my/overview.php
legal advisor
January 21st, 2008 at 3:59 pm
so mcm mana?? dah read toc dia?? i on the way ke kk.. kerja kat lawas dah settle…
mahathir
January 21st, 2008 at 4:09 pm
maxis, bad service? seems that their service level is dwindling…
i may not experience the slowness of their broadband or the customer service officer blaming the hardware, but the way they handled my complain on mobile billing last time has given me the impression that they no longer value their client. They were quick to put the blame on you…on your hardware…practically on everything but not their own incompetency…what a crap! (i like this phrase..:) )
thanks for the info…i’ll will avoid maxis for future internet services…
Awangku Yusli
January 21st, 2008 at 4:16 pm
@Daitako:
The only problem I see with Izzi is that the service coverage is quite limited. I want to be able to connect to the internet as well when I go back to my hometown in Sabah. I think I’ll try Celcom. At least they don’t have that contract thing hanging over your head, so if I’m not satisfied, I can always terminate the service.
@Legal advisor:
Belum lagi la beb. Malam ni kot baru nak selongkar stor. Hehehe.. Tak ingat dah letak kat mana.
Awangku Yusli
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Terms & Conditions (excerpt)
10. TERMS, SUSPENSION AND TERMINATION
10.1 The Agreement shall commence on the Service Commencement Date and continues for a period of eighteen (18) months (”Initial Term”). Upon the expiry of the initial Term, the Agreement shall automatically extend for further eighteen (18) months term (each term called “Renewal Term”) unless Maxis or the Customer gives at least one (1) month prior written notice to the other party of its intention not to renew the Agreement for the subsequent term.
10.2 …
10.3 The Customer shall not be entitled to terminate the Agreement at anytime and for any reason whatsoever (save for termination pursuant to Clauses 10.8 or 17.1) during the Initial Term. If the Agreement is terminated by the Customer for any reason whatsoever (save for termination pursuant to Clauses 10.8 or 17.1) or by Maxis pursuant to any of the situations specified in Clause 10.4 below prior to the expiry of the Initial Term, the Customer shall be liable to pay Maxis in full the Services Charges for the remainder of the Initial Term, as the case may be, (”Termination Sum”) and all charges and amounts outstanding as at the date of termination including accrued interests.
10.4 In the event the Customer:
(a) fails to pay in full any sums or charges due…
(b) is otherwise in default of its obligations…
(c) is insolvent or takes any corporate action…
…
10.8 In the event Maxis is in material default of any of its obligations under the Agreement and has not remedied the default within thirty (30) days of receipt of written notice from the Customer requiring the remedy of the default, the Customer shall, by written notice to Maxis, be entitled to terminate the Agreement.
…
17.1 Maxis may from time to time upon giving prior notice to the Customer, make any alterations to the Service or vary the terms and conditions of the Agreement. The Customer’s continued use of the Services after the effective date of such alteration or variation shall constitute irrevocable and unconditional acceptance of such alteration or variation by the Customer. If the Customer does not accept such alteration or variation, the Customer shall be entitled to terminate the agreement by giving written notice to Maxis prior to the effective date of such alterations or variations.
Awangku Yusli
January 24th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
There is also this clause in the TNC:
2. PROVISION OF SERVICE
…
2.4 Maxis does not guarantee or warrant the availability of the Services or continuous, uninterrupted or secure access to the Internet. Maxis reserves the right to suspend or interrupt the Services or any part thereof at any time for operational or technical reasons or in an emergency or in accordance with Clause 10, with or without notice to the Customer.
==============
I don’t know how binding is this contract, but it seems that us customers are not given any chance at all to terminate the contract.
What do you guys think?
shaharin
January 25th, 2008 at 8:26 am
Citer pasal maxis broadband ni buat aku paling marah…aku komplen pasal speed tak pernah max lebih kurang 100kps. Bila aku call centre diorang kata pasal aku tinggal di tingkat 6, tgkt 4 kebawah boleh dapat max speed. unfair betul, diorang takde masalah kalau aku terminate service. contract 18 bln tu diorang waive tu selepas aku dah kecohkan maxis centre kat klcc tu….
Awangku Yusli
January 25th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Tingkat 4 ke bawah boleh dapat max speed?? Aku yang duduk tingkat 1 ni pun sikit punya susah nak dapat 100 kbps. Bawah 100 tu selalu la dapat. Kunun jer kata speed boleh dapat up to 3.6 Mbps.
Weh, share la ngan kitorang apa yang ko dah buat sampai boleh terminate kontrak tu. Semua dah tension ngan Maxis nih.
shaharin
January 28th, 2008 at 2:23 am
The reason they agreed to waive it because i was not informed that my house located at 6th floor will not get full speed at the time i sign up. Its unfair where i pay rm138 per month which i cant full speed it. After few times negotiation, they raised the case and agreed to waive it, of course u must return the modem to them.
Awangku Yusli
January 28th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Hmmm… unfortunately that does not apply to me. They told me when I signed up that I will not get good signal strength if I live on level 5 or above. Looks like I cannot terminate my account, then.
Sigh.. how very frustrating.
sanji
February 9th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
there’s a guy who managed to terminate his maxis bb account without the 18-month agreement penalty.try it out.it might works for u. http://myceloteh.com/3gforum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=14
Awangku Yusli
February 9th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
Thank you Sanji. I will definitely try that.
iamspaceman
February 16th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
All Malaysian ISPs are crap & nothing but sweet misleading empty promises. Malaysian internet is a joke. People from other countries like the U.K or the States would be laughing so hard if they knew what kind of “BROADBAND” services we got going here. It’s not funny.
There is no such thing as “The Best” or “The Fastest Broadband”. No, this is Malaysia, there is only “The Least F**ked Up” and that is what we should go for like we have any other frickin choice.
Awangku Yusli
February 16th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
I totally agree with you, of course. You don’t have to compare against the UK or USA. Singapore is closer, and they have better broadband services.
I wonder what actually is the cause of these limitations by the ISPs. Speed up to 3.6 Mbps indeed! I barely got 100 Kbps everytime I was online. And I’m paying RM103 for speed less than 384 Kbps. Highway robbery!
mAn
March 22nd, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Maxis Broadband is Crap??
my bf using maxis broadband rite now…so far..okay also..
but as i noe…its depend on the area u r..and which packet u subcribed..
for streamyx 1.0mbps RM88…Maxis 3.6mbps RM98
for me…i will subcribes maxis..bcoz juz add on 10 bucks can get higher speed..
i dunnoe y a lot people complaint on maxis..my bf use for half year dy…the line is ok saja…
i dun think he is the luckiest 1 lo in tis case…oni he can use with stable ..,but other people got a lot comnplaint..
im thinking,,wonder to ask…are u sure u r using Maxis broadband,b4 u drop tis comment?
hmm….dunoe…mayb my bf is the luckiest 1…hehe
Awangku Yusli
March 22nd, 2008 at 11:09 pm
Well… I used to get a bill every month from Maxis Broadband, so I’m 1000000000000% sure I was subscribed to Maxis Broadband. Not to count the number of times I called them and went to Maxis Centre at KLCC. I hope that answers your question.
I agree totally that the speed one receives depends on the location. Maybe your bf’s ok is not other people’s ok. May I know the speed he’s getting?
For me, if I am subscribed to a 1.0 Mbps package, I expect to get speeds around that number everytime I connect to the internet and not below 100 kbps. Which was the case when I was with Maxis. I paid RM103 monthly for a service that was totally unsatisfactory.
Judging from the number of complaints received, don’t you agree that something must be wrong somewhere?
shaharin
March 24th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
last nite my friend’s maxis broadband download speed 28.7kbps and upload speed 2.74kbps. damn slow!!
Awangku Yusli
March 24th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Nothing new there. Maybe it’s time your friend switch to Celcom Broadband. He can follow the steps I outlined here for terminating his Maxis account.
mAn
March 30th, 2008 at 9:54 am
oh………you wanna terminate ur broadband service? can meh?? as i noe, once u subcribed the packet, u have to sign 18 months contract. not meh??otherwise, u have to pay the penalty fees.
hmm……..ur speed is around 100 kbps? i think is ur area is not covered by 3.5 G. may i noe, u r using maxis usb or zte modem?or wired broadband?
u have to check ur signal whether is umts/edge/gprs/…
i recommend u…, if ur speed is 100kbps like tat, u better call broadband customer service, ask them reset/ check the stting for u, bcoz 100 kbps is really very very slow…u should get at least(70%)- 700 kbps..
thanks.
mAn
March 30th, 2008 at 9:59 am
hmm……if u wanna terminate ur maxis broadband..you have to find another person to “transfer” ur broadband to him.
so, like tat u no nid to pay the penalty fees.
Awangku Yusli
March 30th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Mr mAn, just so that you know, I already HAVE terminated my Maxis broadband. And I didn’t have to pay any penalty too.
Wanna know how I did it? Read my 3 posts in “Terminating my Maxis Broadband account”. You can do a search using the search function inside the red/orange box above.
man
June 22nd, 2008 at 6:42 am
maxis broadband best ape..
man
June 22nd, 2008 at 6:43 am
Speedtest result
Maxis Customer
July 28th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
A warning from one consumer to another:
DO NOT SIGN UP TO MAXIS BROADBAND!
If you love your kids, don’t let them use Maxis broadband.
Kids who surf slower, learn slower and with the added pressure from having an unstable internet connection and constant disconnection could lead them to having suicidal tendencies at such a young age.
IF YOU LOVE YOUR KIDS, SAY NO TO MAXIS BROADBAND!
epool86
September 11th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
im using celcom data services since 3 years ago.. at that time, 3g just been launched by celcom (celcom is the first operator to launches 3g in malaysia)..
but sadly, i dont have much money to buy 3G devices.. so i just stick with my gprs devices.. i use my hp as a modem, connected to PC/laptop. at that time, new celcom broadband plan not launched yet.. im using unlimited data plan, together with my celcom postpaid line.
what can i say is, celcom gprs connection is stable.. even it slow (of course, it gprs), but have no problem to surf internet..
nowadays, celcom still better than maxis in many factors.. first, of course the coverages.. celcom 3g coverages now is about 60%, while maxis is about 40% (according to MCMC).
in term of service quality, celcom still better (even not 100% ok, but much more better than maxis).. the average download speed is around 40KB/s (~320kbps) which is about 80% of full 3g speed depends on the server location.. for HSDPA, im not sure since im not testing it yet (although my devices support HSDPA)..
maybe we need some experts or any 3rd parties to do the test, since they know more about it rather than me. for example, let see a comparison test result made by 3rd parties for both maxis and celcom..
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r92/work_liao/celcom_3g_beat_maxis_3g.gif
Celcom also the winner of the Frost & sullivan 2008 Mobile Data Service Provider of the Year.
for details, visit http://www.telecomsawards.com.my/recipients.htm
To date (2nd quarter 2008) Celcom is the largest mobile broadband provider with largest number of subsribers in Malaysia. All this awards, test, and statistic shown us that Celcom broadband is better than Maxis broadband..
of course.. there is still lot of improvement to be done for both maxis and celcom.. but our question here is which one is better. that’s all..