In an age when 5G smartphones are coming out in droves and internet speeds reaching up to tens and hundreds of megabits per second (Mbps), local telco provider TM recently dropped a bombshell of an internet plan that surprised many Malaysians.
They introduced the Broadband Lite 1Mbps, which, according to their website, gives users download speeds up to 1Mbps and upload speeds up to 384 kilotbit per second (Kbps).
They will also get a free wireless router but the data will be capped at 1 gigabyte (GB).
It’s reported by Harian Metro that the announcement was made through the Unifi Community forum where it’s stated that this package is aimed at users who rarely use the internet.
What happens when you reach that 1GB cap
According to their FAQs, once users exceed the 1GB data cap the service will be throttled to 128Kbps and the quota will be automatically renewed at every 1st day of the month.
There will be no data volume top up option for this package but heavy data users have the option to upgrade to 1Mbps unlimited which is priced at RM110.
TM also states that the customer cannot view their Internet quota utilisation. However they will be notified when the usage reaches 80% and 100%.
Users will be tied for the contract for 12 months and those who want terminate the service before that period will have to pay a penalty of RM350.
Back To The Past-type of internet plan
Malaysians didn’t exactly welcome the new internet plan, with one user saying on Twitter that it looks like something that belongs in 2005.
TM Broadband Lite dengan harga RM38 sebulan, kelajuan 1Mbps dan data had 1GB sahaja pada tahun 2021.
— FAIZ ZAINAL (@thefaizzainal) June 19, 2021
Ada kontrak 12 bulan pula tu. Takpela, positif je. Mungkin mereka anggap sekarang masih tahun 2005. 🥴 pic.twitter.com/l2UesuKFbN
Meanwhile, tech blogger Xavier Naxa also gave his opinion on the matter, saying that he doesn’t really mind the data speed but was disappointed with the quota.
Saya terbaca satu penulisan dikongsi oleh @amanz berkenaan satu pekej daripada TM iaitu Broadband Lite yang bagi saya sangat tidak berbaloi.
— Xavier Naxa (@XavierNaxa) June 19, 2021
Saya tiada isu dengan kelajuan 1Mbps, cuma terkilan dengan kuota 1GB sahaja ditawarkan dengan harga langganan RM38 sebulan. pic.twitter.com/CqwpBG89en
Even the users in the Unifi forum were unhappy with the plan, saying that it’s already 2021 and a Windows update alone can exceed that meagre quota.
TM comes out of the woodwork, says it’s an old plan
To address the situation TM has reached out to Amanz and said that the 1Mbps Broadband Lite plan was introduced in 2015, therefore it’s not a new plan.
They also said that it was intended for users who rarely need internet in areas covered by the Streamyx network.
The telco apologised for the confusion and said they are in the process of reviewing offerings to meet customer and market demand, and would update them accordingly.
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