YES! I say yes to YES

Having a laptop without internet access makes you feel a wee bit incomplete. I have been contemplating on Digi or Maxis 3G Internet for quite awhile. P1 was kinda out of the question based on feedback I’ve receive. The reason why I have never subscribed to any is because I don’t really have an urgent need for it and the extra cost I have to fork out. It’s really nice to have though.

Recently there was a promotion for YTL's YES 4G where they waived of the RM50 activation fees. Even so, it took me quite awhile to decide if I want to give it a try. I did anyway after persuasion and poisoning from friends.

The thing I like about YES is the pay per-use concept. I don’t have to be bound to any contract. YES claims that there is no expiry date on your credits, but requires you to use a minimum RM30 worth of data. At 3 cents per MB, you need to use a minimum 1GB of data a month to make your money worth. They deduct your credit to make it RM30 at the end of your billing date. Even if you don’t use YES, they still deduct RM30 from you. Your credit can fall into the negative zone. You have 3 months to settle your outstanding before they terminate your line.

They currently have 2 products on sale. The Go and Hurdle. I got myself the USB GO Dongle, though I think the Hurdle Huddle (thanks Divemuster) would be a better buy. However, they kinda bind you down for 24months if you go for their easy payment. Upfront payment of RM1200 seems kinda heavy for me.

I paid RM99 + RM20 credit for my account. They rebate me RM10 every month for 10 months. So my GO Dongle is free. RM20 is to make sure I meet their minimum usage quota.

My account was activated within an hour or so. Maybe less. Connecting to YES network was simple. You just need to download their YES Connect application and you are good to go. Note that the YES Connect app is also in the Dongle itself, but I recommend you to download the Connect app from YES website and install it first. I had some freezing issue when I do it otherwise. To make calls and send SMS, you need to download their YES Life application.

YES Connect

YES Connect after connected

The overall speed is great. I am getting on average around 10Mbps depending on signal strength and area. Connection wise, stable with one or two disconnection. But it reconnects back without any hassle.

A whooping 17.88Mbps. Must be my lucky day! 

As for voice communication, I think it’s not too bad. It’s a bit of a hassle since I do not have a 4G phone. All voice communication needs to go through their YES Life. I do get disconnection and breakage at the other end of the line, but I can’t tell for sure if it’s YES or the other telecos. It maybe the phone too! I had similar experience with Maxis. Voice charges are 9 cents per minute.

SMS is charged 9 cents per sms. Not the cheapest around. Similar to voice it needs to go through their YES Life app unless you have a 4G phone. However, I kinda enjoy sending SMS from my computer. So much easier with a full size QWERTY keyboard. Most of the SMS I sent were delivered instantly, but there were one or two occasions where my SMS was only delivered after a few hours. Again, can’t say it’s YES or the other telecos.

So every time I want to call or receive calls, my PC needs to be on. I don’t plan to give out my YES number. It’s going to be solely for my internet purpose.

YES Life application to make calls and send sms

I have no issue with their customer service yet. No message telling me their customer service representative is busy at the moment. They reply my mail within 3 days. I sent my mail on Friday by the way. (Is this considered ok?)

I guess YES seems good at the moment because there are not many onboard I guess. Hopefully, when YES customer base expand, their service won't deteriorate.

The YES GO 4G Dongle

It's even faster than my Unifi at home.

Woo Hoo!! now I have internet access everywhere I go for a price