TM Net
| File:Tmnet.gif | |
| Company type | PLC |
|---|---|
| Industry | Internet |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Headquarters | Cyberjaya, Malaysia |
Key people | Michael Lai, CEO (resigned)[1] Zainab Hashim, Acting CEO & GM Marketting Ithnin Othman, CTO Fazlur Rahman Zainuddin CFO |
| Products | Internet Services & Content |
| Website | http://www.tm.net.my |
TMNet is a Malaysian ISP which is a wholly owned subsidiary of TM Bhd. The company is headquartered in Cyberjaya, Selangor and holds the monopoly for internet service in Malaysia. This however, is largely due to the fact that almost all the last mile connections in the country is owned by TM Bhd.
TMNet controls IP addresses in the range of 219.92.0.0 to 219.94.127.255.
History
TMNet was established in 1995 by the then state owned telecommunications company Telekom Malaysia Bhd.
Products & Services
| Personal Services | Type | Value-added service? |
|---|---|---|
| TMNet 1515 | Dial Up | No |
| TMNet 1525 | ISDN | No |
| TMNet Prepaid | Prepaid Internet Access | No |
| TMNet Prepaid One | Prepaid services | No |
| TMNet EZNet | Dial Up | No |
| TMNet BB Phone | VOIP Service | No |
| TMNet Streamyx | Broadband DSL | No |
| TMNet Hotspot | WiFi Hotspot Internet Access | Yes for TMNet Streamyx subscribers |
| TMNet Web Hosting | Web hosting service | No |
| TMNet Global Roaming | Global roaming internet access (Personal) | Yes |
| BlueHyppo | Lifestyle Portal | No |
| TMNet Mall | Online shopping | No |
| Value Added Services | Additional services | Yes |
| Business Services | Type | Value-added service? |
|---|---|---|
| TMNet 1525 | ISDN | No |
| TMNet Streamyx | Broadband DSL | No |
| TMNet Hotspot | WiFi Hotspot Internet Access | Yes for TMNet Streamyx subscribers |
| TMNet e-vlink | VPN Service | No |
| TMNet Direct | Dedicated Internet | No |
| TMNet Corporate Roaming | Global roaming internet access (Business) | Yes |
| TMNet Global Roaming | Global roaming internet access (Personal) | Yes |
| e-commerce | Internet based business solutions | No |
| Netmyne | Business Portal | No |
| TMNet Web Hosting | Web hosting service | No |
| TMNet BB Phone | VOIP Service | No |
| TMNet E-Secure | Information security service | No |
Criticism
TMNet has been criticised locally on a range of issues. This section outlines some of the criticisms faced by TMNet.
Speed & Reliability
Many TMNet subscribers have complained about the slow speeds and the general lack of reliability of connections provided. However TMNet’s terms states, like those of other ISPs around the world, that the service they provide is based on a "best effort" basis,[2] meaning that connections are not guaranteed to perform at their advertised theoretical speeds. This is largely due to aging copper lines, insufficient bandwidth, and the overly high contention ratios. Customers’ frustrations have been further aggravated by recent aggressive marketing campaigns launched by TMNet to attract more subscribers. TM net really is not good
Last Mile Monopoly & Lack of Competition
TMNet's parent company, TM Bhd., has a monopoly of the last mile connections.[3] Unlike the EU, Malaysia has not passed any legislation for the unbundling of last mile connections.[4] This gives little chance for other third party companies to compete with TMNet and has created an unhealthy environment. It is believed that the unbundling of the last mile connections is key to enabling new ISP's to fill the nation's growing broadband demand.[5]
However, the last mile monopoly has also forced the other companies like Maxis Communications to provide wireless internet access services. Prices for these services still remain relatively expensive.
Failiure to meet standards
According to many subscribers, TM Net has failed to meet the Quality Of Service Standards set by the MCMC, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission that regulates broadband service provision. It is apparent from the commentaries of members of the Malaysian public that the general quality, speed of the service as well as speed of installation are of concern. TMNet very clearly does not meet the guidelines on the salient issues of network latency (no more than 85ms, 95% of the time during busy hours) and fulfilment of installation orders (100% of installation orders shall be fulfilled within 7 business days).[6]
Peer-to-peer connection throttling
TMNet performs bandwidth throttling on P2P connections,[7] a practice that is opposed by a large portion of TMNet Streamyx users. TMNet claims that P2P users are overusing bandwidth, causing other users to suffer poor connections.[8] However, a majority of users believe that P2P is not responsible for the lack of bandwidth and accuse TMNet of overselling their available bandwidth.
Customer Initiatives
The problems with TMNet services has prompted several members of the public to take action, one of the most notable being outspoken Malaysian political blogger Jeff Ooi, who proposed setting up a Streamyx SIG (Special Interest Group), an avenue for users to take up their complaints to Streamyx senior management.[9]. It has reached a certain level of success, with Jeff Ooi noting that some of the suggestions shared in 2005 were actually quietly implemented by TM Net. A more recent effort is RedesignMalaysia.com, which features a large news article archive, an interactive coverage map, and internet service provider comparison table.
- Jeff Ooi - Streamyx Special Interest Group Proposal
- Better Broadband For the Rakyat Petition
- RedesignMalaysia.com - A local broadband reform initiative
- TMNet User Groups
Notes & References
- ^ http://www.jeffooi.com/2006/11/tm_net_michael_lai_exits.php
- ^ http://www.aizuddindanian.com/voi/archives/2006/04/the_hypocrisy_o.html
- ^ http://www.theedgedaily.com/cms/content.jsp?id=com.tms.cms.article.Article_9dade44e-cb73c03a-5e8d7d00-921ffd6a
- ^ http://www.out-law.com/page-1223
- ^ http://www.theedgedaily.com/cms/content.jsp?id=com.tms.cms.article.Article_c232e259-cb73c03a-126ba640-5047eeb2
- ^ http://www.mcmc.gov.my/Admin/Instruments/CommissionDeterminationPDF/Reg-BAS.pdf
- ^ http://blog.thestar.com.my/permalink.asp?id=7736
- ^ http://www.tm.net.my/tmnet2006/contents/products-services/news_result.cfm?id=1101
- ^ http://www.jeffooi.com/2006/05/calling_streamyx_users_in_klan.php