Surfnux’s Weblog

After more than two months without proper internet connection at home, and relying mostly on cyber cafes, I finally found a good deal. Its from Telkomsel, a cellular telco company that has the widest coverage in Indonesia. This package is named as Telkomsel Flash. It has been around for sometimes, only lately, they launched a new package: Telkomsel Flash unlimited.

Yeah.. its the unlimited access, but capped at 3 GB Fair usage. Once your usage reaches 3 GB, your internet speed will be capped at 64 kbps only (this is for the 256 kbps and 512 kbps package). Fair enough, for the price. As for the Pro Package, after 3 GB fair usage, speed capped at 128 Kbps.

I then signed up for the cheapest, which cost Rp. 125,000, speed at 256 Mbps highest. But all I can get is only 114 Kbps or less, that is because there is no 3G coverage, or even HSDPA available in my town.

There are two packages available for this Unlimited access, such as One Year contract with free modem (Its not free actually, ‘cos they added the modem’s cost into the package); and another one is Regular Unlimited, without any contract. I signed up for the latter (of course without modem provided, and you have to use your handphone as modem). Better still, if you have 3G phone or HSDPA capable phone. But that won’t be very convenient as your phone will be utilized for the internet connection alone.

I am still observing this deal, whether to continue or to move on to a much faster one. With this speed, all research will be slowed down a lot and wasted a lot of time. This is worst felt after you have use a free hotspot somewhere in town which is way faster and that actually I have used to update my Mac’s software overall that utilized about 1 GB bandwidth. Now my MacBook is already up to date, thanks to the free hotspot from Telkom.

Just a point for Telkomsel, perhaps they shall bring on 3G and HSDPA soon to other towns in Indonesia, and do really commit to the contract package by giving the modem for free without adding the price into the internet fee. With that, the response shall grow big and everyone can switch over, especially with this unlimited offer and at least speed that can reach up to 1 Mbps minimum.

Next is, as this package is launched in hurry in some town, customers were not given proper information on how to configure and set up the internet connection initially upon signing up. And the staffs were not trained properly, especially if handling customers using Mac and not Windows PC. Customers have to go and try their luck based on their knowledge, and have to go and do research for various configuration for their setup, especially for Mac / Apple users, no information was provided at all.

And now, there is a list of websites that were blocked by the ISP and can’t be surfed. In which, most of them are important websites like google adsense. Google Adsense is the hardest one to access and the connection always got dropped.

For a new user, when you wanted to sign up for this package, I would suggest you to go straight to Telkomsel Center to find out further and bring your SIMPATI or Kartu AS if you have, or you can sign up for a new Kartu HALO. After signed up and activated, just go to the Grapari (Telkomsel center) with your laptop and ask them to help with the setting, although it might not be very convenient for some of us who prefer DIY and ease of home or office.

The reason I ask you to go to Grapari is because if the configuration were not correct, for example the GPRS setting is being configured instead of the unlimited package’s settings, then the customers will be charged with GPRS pricing @ Rp. 12/KB. This is not good in their system. For a Telkomsel Flash Unlimited subscribers, shall be set to have all the GPRS charges disabled and redirect to the unlimited account instead.

I have read that some people have their bills skyrocketing due to this misconfiguration and sometimes the system’s fault like unsuccessful activation of the account. And if the misconfiguration is done by yourself, for example the GPRS is activated instead, the charges is fully charged to the subscribers.

I just wish that the internet price in Indonesia shall drop coming July, as being told by the government. Hopefully that is true and perhaps the speed shall grows and more unlimited access package available at reasonable and affordable price.

Additional info:
The HSDPA modem used by Telkomsel Flash, which is Huawei E220, can be found around Jakarta easily, and cost ranging from Rp. 1,400,000 up to 1,600,000. And it is used widely by the other operator as well, like Three (3). The modem is as the picture above.

For further info on Telkomsel Flash Unlimited, check them out at www.telkomsel.com/flash

Packages available for unlimited access: (Without contract and without free modem)

1. Basic @ Rp125,000; Speed up to 256 kbps
2. Advance @ Rp225,000; Speed up to 512 kbps
3. Pro @ Rp400,000; Speed up to 3,6 Mbps

Telkomsel Flash unlimited (1 Year Contract and free modem):

1. Basic @ Rp. 250,000; Speed up to 256 kbps
2. Advance @ Rp. 350,000; Speed up to 512 kbps
3. Pro @ Rp. 525,000; Speed up to 3,6 Mbps

Coming up, I will share with you all on all the different settings that Telkomsel has for their internet package. This is to help you guys out, so as we do not set it incorrectly and get a skyrocket bill at the end of the month.

As for the lead, for this Telkomsel Flash Unlimited, the APN is set to “internet” or “telkomsel“.

Till then…

written by surfnux | tags: networking

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