News & Reviews:   Maxis plan

As part of the Pakej Komunikasi Belia Hotlink is offering a number of smartphones either for free or with rebates, in line with the RM200 rebate from the package. One deal that caught our eye was for the BlackBerry Z10 which is being offered at a promotional price of RM1688 with an additional 1.5GB of Free data. This RM1688 price is valid for existing Hotlink BlackBerry BIS customers who are eligible for the Pakej Komunikasi Belia. However, existing customers who do not qualify for the Pakej Komunikasi Belia may instead get the BlackBerry Z10 for a discounted price of RM1988. New customers who qualify for the package can get the smartphone at RM1888 while new customers who don't qualify for the package can get the deal at RM2188. The free 1.5GB worth of data is only valid for 7 days after the device has been bought while the actual promo is valid from 9 March 2013 to 30 April 2013.

In a move that will make some people who have always wanted an Apple iPhone very happy, Maxis is now offering the Apple iPhone 4 (8GB) for FREE with their TalkMore48 plan and a 1GB data plan. In effect it means that all you're really paying for are the TalkMore48+1GB data plan bundle. You will have to sign up for a 24 months contract though. Like other Maxis TalkMore48 bundle promotions you'll have to pay RM96 (RM48 + RM48) per month.

Only just a few weeks ago, the price of the Samsung Galaxy S III at Maxis was slated at RM799 for a 12 months contract under their TalkMore48 plan. It appears that Maxis changed their minds as they've dropped the price of the Samsung Galaxy S III to RM599 for the same TalkMore48 plan but this time under a 24 months contract + 1GB data plan. A closer look at the details shows that the monthly for the plan remains at RM96 (RM48 + RM48) per month.

Updated (26-4-2013):

It's finally official. The Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV is going to be officially launched in Malaysia on 27 April 2013 at 'below' location. Thankfully, Malaysia is one of the countries to get the first roll-out of Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV smartphones. Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV price in Malaysia shall be RM2199 (RRP).

Samsung have revealed the location of the launchings as below:

U Mobile

• Berjaya Times Square
• Seremban Store
• Ipoh Store

Maxis

• The Gardens, MidValley
• Queensbay Mall, Penang
• Danga Bay, Johor

Celcom

What is the Pakej Komunikasi Belia (PKB) or Youth Communication Package?

Pakej Komunikasi Belia (PKB) or the Youth Communication Package is a scheme under the Malaysian National Broadband Initiative that grants youth aged 21 to 30 with income below RM3,000 to get RM200 rebate off selected 3G smartphones from telco nominated registered dealers in 2013. This initiative, coordinated by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), was announced by the Prime Minister as part of Budget 2013 tabled in September this year to encourage more youths especially those in rural areas to enjoy the nation’s broadband facilities.