Last Update: 15 October 2013
Maxis is one of the largest mobile network operators in Malaysia. They offer various telecommunication packages, such as prepaid, postpaid, consumer, business, mobile services, and broadband.
Maxis offers broadband plans for both businesses and consumers. Below we’ve outlined the Maxis broadband packages offered to consumers in Malaysia (in other words, the packages we’ve reviewed don’t include the broadband packages designed for businesses).
This seven step guide will help you decide if Maxis broadband services are right for you.
SEE ALSO: What is the Best Broadband in Malaysia for You?
1. Do Maxis broadband services cover your area?
When trying to decide on a broadband service, the first thing you need to check is that the broadband service provides internet access in your area. If it doesn’t cover your area, then you can stop researching right there and start looking at other broadband services.
Wireless Broadband: To see if the Maxis wireless broadband services cover your area, visit this page of the Maxis website. When you visit this page, you’ll select from various types of wireless broadband technologies. Something to keep in mind is that 4G LTE is the newest and fastest wireless broadband service.
ADSL Broadband: To see if the Maxis ADSL broadband service covers your area, visit this page of the Maxis website. Maxis refers to their ADSL broadband as “Home Wired Internet”. Note that ADSL broadband is an older fixed-line broadband technology compared to fiber broadband. ADSL is not nearly as fast as fiber broadband, and ADSL operates over a fixed phone line.
Fiber Broadband: To see if the Maxis fiber broadband services cover your area, visit this page of the Maxis website.
2. How much data do you want to download and upload each month?
Some broadband packages limit how much you can download and upload each month. These are known as quotas. Fiber broadband services aren’t usually very strict about this; however, wireless broadband services typically enforce their quotas. Typically, once you pass the monthly limit (i.e. quota), your broadband speed will slow down dramatically. For Maxis your speeds will typically reduce to 64kbps and 128kbps.
Maxis categorizes their broadband plans into several main groups. We’ve outlined the quota range for each broadband group.
Maxis Home Wireless Broadband quota
The Home Wireless Broadband quotas are allocated based on the time you use the internet. More specifically, their home wireless broadband quotas range from 3GB per month (1.5GB for 8am to 2am AND 1.5GB for 2am to 8am to 48GB per month (12GB for 8am to 2am AND 36GB for 2am to 8am). You can learn more about the Home Wireless Broadband plans on this page of the Maxis website.
Maxis Wireless Broadband quota
The Wireless Broadband plans offer the same quotas as the ones described above: 3GB per month (1.5GB for 8am to 2am AND 1.5GB for 2am to 8am) to 48GB per month (12GB for 8am to 2am AND 36GB for 2am to 8am).
A key difference between the Home Wireless Broadband plan and the Wireless Broadband plans is that the latter is designed for accessing internet on-the-go. In other words, the Maxis Wireless Broadband plans come with portable modems for accessing the internet, and they don’t include a household, cordless phone. You can learn more about Wireless broadband plans on this page of the Maxis website.
Maxis ADSL Broadband (Aka “Home Wired Internet”) quota
These ADSL plans do not have quotas. In other words, there is no download and upload limit. You can learn more about the Home Wired Internet plans on this page of the Maxis website.
Maxis Fiber quota
These fiber broadband plans also do not have quotas. You can learn more about Fiber plans on this page of the Maxis website.
3. What type of broadband technology do you want?
The three main types of broadband services in Malaysia for consumers are: fiber, wireless, and ADSL. Fiber is typically your best choice for speed, wireless is typically your best choice for internet mobility, and ADSL is typically the best choice for a low-cost fixed line service.
Maxis offers all three types of broadband: wireless, ADSL, and fiber. So, if you have a preference for a specific type of broadband technology, you can find it with Maxis.
SEE ALSO: Is Fiber or Wireless Broadband Better in Malaysia?
4. How fast do you want your broadband service to be?
If speed is your main priority, then you should consider fiber broadband packages. If you want a fast and mobile broadband service, then you should consider 4G LTE in Malaysia.
Fortunately, Maxis offers both fiber and 4G LTE broadband services. Here is a review of the broadband speeds offered by Maxis.
Maxis Home Wireless Broadband speed
The Maxis Home Wireless Broadband speed is on a best effort basis. Wireless broadband speed depends on factors such as modem capability, location, coverage, distance from communications towers and number of simultaneous users.
The Maxis Home Wireless Broadband speeds arE:
- 7.2Mbps WiFi modem – Average speeds: 500kbps to 2Mbps
- 21Mbps WiFi modem – Average speeds: 1Mbps to 5Mbps
Maxis Wireless Broadband speed
Remember the Maxis Wireless Broadband plans are designed for those who need internet access on-the-go. The plans offer the followers speeds.
- 7.2 Mbps USB Modem – Average speeds: 500 Kbps – 2 Mbps
- 21 Mbps MiFi and PortaFi Modem – Average speeds: 1 Mbps – 5 Mbps
Note: If you purchase a Maxis Wireless Broadband plan costing RM 88 / month or above, you will get the free 75Mbps 4G LTE modem. The typical average speeds for 4G LTE are between 10Mbps to 30Mbps.
At the time of this writing, you can’t purchase a Wireless Broadband package with the free 4G LTE modem through the internet. You will need to visit a Maxis center to purchase the plan and get the free 4G LTE modem. You can learn more about the 4G LTE modem offering on this page of the Maxis website.
Maxis ADSL Broadband (Aka “Home Wired Internet”) speed
The Maxis ADSL Broadband plans offer speeds ranging from 1Mbps to 2Mbps. As you can you see, the ADSL broadband speeds are much slower than Maxis fiber broadband plans; however, ADSL is also cheaper. (See the pricing section discussed below).
Maxis Fiber Broadband speed
The Maxis fiber plans offer speeds ranging from 10Mbps to 30Mbps.
SEE ALSO: Why Your Broadband Speed Isn’t As Fast You Think: MB vs Mb
5. What added value do the Maxis broadband plans include?
Maxis Home Wireless Broadband additional value
As the name suggests, Maxis Home Wireless broadband plans are designed for the home. The added value for this service ranges from a free 7.2 Home WiFi Modem and a free cordless phone with 100 free minutes per month to a free 21 Mbps WiFi modem and a free cordless phone with 300 free minutes per month.
Maxis Wireless Broadband additional value
The Wireless Broadband plans are designed for the accessing the internet on-the-go. Therefore, these broadband plans include free portable modems, which range from a free 7.2Mbps USB modem to a free 21Mbps MiFi Modem.
SEE ALSO: MiFi in Malaysia: An Overview of Portable WiFi Services
Maxis ADSL Broadband (Aka “Home Wired Internet”) additional value
The Home Wired Internet plans include a free residential modem, free fixed phone line installation, free DECT (cordless) phone, and free 12 month phone line rental, and free allocated minutes (100 min to 300 min).
Maxis Fiber Broadband additional value
The Maxis fiber broadband plan is quite straight forward and doesn’t offer much added value; however, the pricing is better than other fiber broadband service providers, such as UniFi’s fiber broadband plans. If you have a DECT phone, then you can make unlimited free calls to Maxis fixed lines. Also, there is a special package deal to purchase a Maxis Fiber broadband plan with Astro B.Yond IPTV.
SEE ALSO: Is Astro B.Yond Right For You?
6. Review the broadband plans and the prices
Below we’ve outlined the range of prices for Maxis broadband plans and also summarized the key components discussed above about Maxis broadband packages.
Maxis Home Wireless Broadband pricing and recap
- Speed: 500kbps to 5Mbps
- Download/Upload Quota: Quota ranges from 3GB (1.5GB for 8am to 2am AND 1.5GB for 2am to 8am) per month to 48GB (12GB for 8am to 2am AND 1.5GB for 2am to 8am).
- Added Value: Added value ranges from a free 7.2 Home WiFi Modem and free cordless phone with 100 free minutes per month to a free 21 Mbps WiFi modem and free cordless phone with 300 free minutes per month.
- Price: RM 49 per month to RM 169 per month
- Promotions and rebates are sometimes offered. Sometimes activation fees and deposits are required. Get more details from Maxis here.
Maxis Wireless Broadband pricing and recap
- Speed: 500kbps to 30Mbps
- Download/Upload Quota: Quota ranges from 3GB (1.5GB for 8am to 2am AND 1.5GB for 2am to 8am) per month to 48GB (12GB for 8am to 2am AND 1.5GB for 2am to 8am).
- Added Value: Added value ranges from a free 7.2Mbps USB modem to a free 21Mbps MiFi Modem.
- Price: RM 49 per month to RM 169 per month
- Promotions and rebates are sometimes offered. Sometimes activation fees and deposits are required. Get more details from Maxis here.
Maxis ADSL Broadband (Aka “Home Wired Internet”) pricing and recap
- Speed: 1Mbps or 2Mbps
- Download/Upload Quota: Unlimited
- Added Value: Free residential modem, free fixed phone line installation, free DECT (cordless) phone, and free 12 month phone line rental, and free allocated minutes (100 min to 300 min).
- Price: RM 78 per month or RM 98 per month
- Promotions and rebates are sometimes offered. Sometimes activation fees and deposits are required. Get more details from Maxis here.
Maxis Fiber Broadband pricing and recap
- Speed: 10Mbps to 30Mbps
- Download/Upload Quota: Unlimited
- Added Value: If you have a DECT phone, then you can make unlimited free calls to Maxis fixed lines Also, there is a special package deal to purchase Maxis Fiber broadband with Astro B.Yond IPTV.
- Price: RM 148 per month to RM 248 per month
- Promotions and rebates are sometimes offered. Sometimes activation fees and deposits are required. Get more details from Maxis here.
6. Maxis Customer Service
Customer service is an important factor for finding the best broadband service; however, this can also be one of the most difficult factors for us to evaluate. Not only is it difficult to gather information, but customer service can also be quite subjective.
Thus, we strongly encourage you to ask around and get people’s feedback. Quality customer service can be incredibly important if you start encountering problems with your internet connection.
Here are three ways to investigate Maxis’s customer service:
- Maxis Social Media Pages: Check out Maxis’ social media pages to see what people have been saying and also post your own questions or comments. Visit Maxis’s Facebook page here, and visit Maxis’s Twitter page here. Visit Maxis YouTube page here.
- LowYat Forum: LowYat is active forum in Malaysia and can be a great place to find existing threads about Maxis to see what people have been saying. Alternatively, you can start a new discussion by creating your own thread.
- Ask Around: One great way to get information about Maxis is to ask people in your network. Ask your colleagues, friends, or family in Malaysia. This simple exercise can offer some great insight.
What Maxis broadband plans have you used? Share your tips and insights by posting a comment below. No registration is required. By the way, stay in touch with us by registering for our Free E-Newsletter here.
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Can I sign up for Maxis Wired Internet without having to sign up for the home phone? i mean Maxis is wired to my house, i like that wired internet as it’s cheaper and i already got a cell phone that i can use to make calls, so can i susccribe it without the phone?
Hi Weng Zai,
I called Maxis about that and, unfortunately, you do have to get the package with the fixed line and phone. I asked Maxis by calling this telephone number 1800 82 4663, so they can probably give more insight if you have more questions about that package in particular. Surprisingly, I didn’t have to wait at all when I called. Cheers.
This is a bit out of topic, but just for sharing. Ive been using the Celcom 1malaysia smartphone prepaid broadband for about three months now, but im not satisfied as connection was poor. the speed is average, but the lines tend to disconect every few seconds..
Thanks for the feedback. We have a section covering Celcom broadband packages here:http://leapingpost.com/2013/04/14/guide-to-celcoms-broadband-plans-for-consumers-in-malaysia/
However, we haven’t specifically covered Celcom smartphone packages yet. We intend to cover that topic soon, so anecdotal feedback is definitely appreciated!
Has anyone use the maxis wireless broadband recently? when I had it about 3 years ago it was extremely slow! Am curious if it’s any better. I now have Unifi broadband. It’s fibre and consistently fast but it seems like every couple months the service is down for maintenance or issues 🙁