Malaysian mobile network operator DiGi Telecommunications has said that it has set aside MYR75 million (USD22.1 million) for the expansion of its 3G network in Sabah over the next three years, Bernama reports. The announcement comes following the launch of DiGi’s mobile phone-based 3G services in Sabah; previously the cellco had offered 3G access via datacard only under the Turbo 3G banner. Commenting on the new service offers, Chan Nam Kiong, Head of Customer and Channels at DiGi, said: ‘The launch marks a key milestone for DiGi as we are now able to offer complete internet solutions to customers both on big and small screens. This comes just five months after we introduced our broadband service in Kota Kinabalu. Our strategy to launch Turbo 3G on PCs and laptops first has allowed us to address gaps in the market and manage our network better. We aim to emulate key learnings and apply it for 3G on mobile phones.’ DiGi plans to progressively activate 3G services for all of its existing users in Sabah and Penang starting this week, with a similar course of action to be undertaken for its users in the Klang Valley, although it has not revealed a timeframe for the latter’s activation.
The operator has also revealed that its UMTS coverage has grown to 95% of the Kota Kinabalu region, and has said that it hopes to achieve 100% coverage in the state of Penang by next year; it currently covers 70% of the state.
In addition to opening its 3G network to its mobile voice customers, DiGi has unveiled two new tariffs specifically designed to take advantage of the infrastructure. The cellco’s Internet Unlimited Max 5 tariff, available to pre-paid subscribers, offers unlimited internet access via mobile for no more than MYR5 per day. The Internet Unlimited Monthly 58 meanwhile is a post-paid option, again offering unlimited high speed broadband via mobile, and costing MYR58 per month.