News & Reviews:   DiGi

Just about a month ago, Digi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd has launched a “You Tweet, We Build” campaign. An innovative #DigiWeWant4G Twitter interaction with the customers, Setia Alam became the first people's network tower as voted by Malaysians.

The #DigiWeWant4G Twitter campaign is an effort to reach out to Malaysians, giving the power to them by simply nominating their towns to be the next in line to get 4G LTE. All they had to do was tweet the hashtag #DigiWeWant4G followed by the location's name. So as a result, Digi went ahead to plant its 4G LTE network in Setia Alam.

Last night on 25 November 2015, 8 hardworking and lucky winners walked home with RM10000 each at the Digi WWWOW Awards 2015. A night of joyful laughter, over 30 finalists were chosen by Digi for their incredible creativity, ingenuity and entrepreneurship over their 100% user-generated websites that has impacted the nation in various ways.

This is Digi's fifth year hosting the award and is Malaysia's first and only award to celebrate Malaysians who have utilized the power of the Internet to make a positive impact to the society. Under the theme “Taking Ideas Further”, Digi organized an “elevator pitch” (literally, like entering an elevator ride for one minute and pitching their ideas live through a security camera with a cordless mic) for participants to submit their form and interview with the panel judges

Digi recently gave their Quarterly Network Update presentation on their upcoming plans in the future. One of the key points they pointed out was an improved expansion of their 4G LTE network coverage, as it has increased to 60% of the population coverage. This is the result of their engineers, busy expanding Digi's 4G LTE network for the past few months in 80 major cities and towns (key market centres 95% population coverage). They have also switched its 4G LTE-Advanced (4G LTE-A) network nationwide with a 22% coverage footprint (50% population coverage in key market centres). 

Maxis has made a surprise move by inviting both Digi and Celcom to have a discussion on setting the industry standards for 4G LTE. 23 November 2015 will be the date and Maxis hopes that the three telco giants can have a meaningful meeting to allow them to determine how to measure coverage in various territories. Maxis also claims they only want to provide what’s best for their customers and “have a fair basis for choosing”.

Heidy Quah and Adley Chan are two lucky girls for winning the Telenor Youth Forum (#TYF15) by Digi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd (Digi), the competition is designed for passionate youths about increasing their knowledge through the daily usage of digital and mobile technology to participate in a global dialogue on this topic.

Both local winners, Heidy and Adley will be travelling to Oslo, Norway from 8 to 11 December next month to represent Malaysia, at a Forum. The Forum (themed #KnowledgeForAll), is an annual event coincides with the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony week. There will be 25 delegates (including our local winners), 14 women and 11 men aged 18-28, representing their nation to encourage and innovate solutions to societal challenges.

DirectD is one of the better known third-party mobile device sellers and retailers in Malaysia. This is due to their often lower than average prices and early (before official release) inventory of the latest smartphones, tablets, mobile devices and more. Recently, they held the grand opening for their latest DirectD Gadget Mega Store here in Petaling Jaya. Featuring 18000 square feet and lots of nearby parking space, DirectD say that they have the largest mobile phone shop in Malaysia yet. While there are more than 300 smartphones and tablets and 1000 or so accessories available at a time, the store also has the latest devices on display, a dedicated service center with comfortable waiting area and telco center for both new subscribers and bill payment. These telcos include DiGi, Maxis, U Mobile and YES with plans to add more soon. In addition, free WiFi is available throughout the store. Individual buyers can also opt to pay via installment plan or credit card while wholesale buyers are also welcome with no minimum order required. The DirectD Gadget Mega Store will be open from 9.00am to 9.30pm everyday. Here are some of the highlights and promotions available;

• located at Lot 11, Jln 51A/219, PJ (next to Mazda service Centre, same row with Avon and Hong Leong bank, along side Federal Highway)
• a snap post & win contest!
• the first 50 or so customers were able to buy a power bank at just RM1 or phone at RM10 or bid for a smartphone starting from RM10!
• those who came could also buy 1 and get free 1 original Lumia 530 smartphone
• "I am a member" membership program with redemption prizes and other benefits
• "I am a dealer" dealership program 

Malaysia is known for many things in the IT world. We are ranked number 5 for taking selfies in the world. We are on Facebook and social media a lot more than most people in other countries within the region. While we have not yet reached the same level as countries like South Korea, our smartphone and mobile telecommunications or telco industry is definitely on the rise. And while many of us won't admit it, a lot of our online actions and reactions rely on how the various Mobile Telcos of Malaysia are moving. So here at Technave.com, we'd like to stop for a minute and see where we are, what packages and plans are available and how we as the common everyday user should react to the wave of new telco plans, packages and deals? Are Malaysia's Mobile Telcos moving in the right direction? What would be the most ideal mobile telco plan in Malaysia? Read our analysis as everyday Malaysian users to the everyday user in Malaysia to find out.