Internet in Langkawi

[No-Id]

Hi everyone!

Will have to travel and stay for a bit in Langkawi and was wondering what my options would be to get a high speed internet? I think Hotels should have something but I most likely will rent a flat or so. How well developed Internet services in Langkawi?

Thanks!

[langkawi]

in a nutshell... it's passable... while one might not get more than 1gig download speed but it's adequate for home usage... as for the time period to get connected, well it depends on one's location in Langkawi and if a fixed-land-line connection is already available... however, I think Vennie should be able to advice you on this issue better than I could because that was one of his businesses (maybe still is, for all I know)... so, over to you Vennie.

[No-Id]

Ok, thanks Langkawipur. I understand dial-up should be possible but I am more interested in DSL/cable. Any wireless HotSpots in Langkawi?

Thanks!

[Vennie]

Hotspot is only avialble in a few areas.. Since you will be staying in a flat or apartment, I think it is better if you could apply for a broadband connection.

[No-Id]

Thanks Vennie. So I am still not sure if I understand, what Internet services are available in Langkawi? Dial-up, DSL, Wirelelss Broadband, cable and how much does this cost? Can you direct me to web sites showing these services if any?
Thank you in advance.

[langkawi]

sorry... took things for granted just then... I'd have thought it would have been obvious that I was talking about broadband a.k.a.  DSL connection because I know it's impossible to get the download speed that I mentioned earlier using a dial-up... so, without being condescending, yes, one does get DSL connection in Langkawi and it's via telephone lines and not cable... hope you understand what I'm talking about here.

fyi, Vennie mentioned "hotspot" and this is "wireless" to you... hope you get this as well.

these are just terminologies that mean almost the same thing... albeit with subtle technical differences.

anyhow, try this link to acquaint yourself with our broadband/DSL provider:
[url]http://www.tm.com.my/consumer/internet/con_net.htm[/url]

[No-Id]

Thank you very much for the info. Although I visited the web site you gave and did not find any place in Langkawi that has DSL service available nor did I see any HotSpots listed..... Does this mean only a dial-up service is available? Local people probably would know best. I am in IT and need to be online a lot. DSL not automaticaly available if you have a telco line. There is some equipment instalation and investment is needed at the telco to enable it and it works a certain radius around. But I guess mostly people come to Langkawi not to be online but rather to escape from it and enjoy the nature  ;D .

[langkawi]

first and foremost... I'm a true-blue Malaysian... so, that makes me, by definition, a local... wouldn't you agree?

secondly, you said something about being involved in the IT business and yet you couldn't spot the difference in the download speed of dial-up and broadband... a bit odd, wouldn't you agree?

anyhow, let's put that out of the way... now on to the issue at hand... please do bear in mind that Telekom Malaysia is the national telephone company and it has a monopoly over fixed-land-lines for the whole country... so, what it offers in it's website would apply to the whole country, Langkawi is of course included, unless stated otherwise.

so, here is a simplified version of the entire process:
i) get a fixed-land line (the normal telephone in layman's term)
ii) fill in a form at any Telekom M'sia outlet to apply for "Streamyx" (it's the brand-name of our ADSL broadband)
iii)wait for Telekom M'sia, or it's contractors, to contact you regarding installation of a ADSL modem and this normally takes about a week or two... it could also take a wee bit longer... and your guess is as good as mine in this instance.
iv)TM has a few packages on offer... the "usual" package is the RM77 monthly with or without modem... please read the terms and conditions because, if I'm not mistaken, the package is for a whole year, i.e. once you agree to have "Streamyx" installed you must have it for at least one whole year... even if you want it disconnected after, say, six months you still have to pay for the remaining 6 months.
v) that's it.

please bear in mind that there is wireless connection via mobile phones but this is a bit more expensive. for details you could always check with the various mobile phone service providers... in this case Telekom M'sia doesn't have a monopoly. do bear in mind that not all service providers offer this service in Langkawi... as I don't have this kind of service, so I can't elaborate.

just google Maxis or Celcom and you should be able to find out more... please note that most times the URL ends with a dot com dot my as opposed to just a dot com.

next question, please.

[No-Id]

Hey Langkawipur. Thanks for your reply. My appologies for uncorectiness if this was so understood. Although saying locals I had in mind people living in Langkawi, whatever nationality they are....:-) You sound like a local Malaysian but I don't know where you live....I did not pay attention to a download speed you metioned that DSL is capable of as anything but dial-up is good to me. I checked TM website where they list all locations that DSL service is available and Langkawi was not in the list. So I understood that this service is not offered yet on the island which would leave only dial up option possible with max 50Kbs of connection speed. 3G Mobile high speed service is also seems not available there yet according to Maxis and Celcom....
Not a big deal. Will have to stay in a hotel or resort then. Thanks again for the info!

[langkawi]

fyi, there are several Internet Cafes around the Pantai Cenang/Tengah area where one can easily access the www.

they are mostly open from 10am till almost midnight... they are cheaper than the hotels.

however, the ones in Kuah offer the cheapest rates in Langkawi.

also, if you have a laptop you can easily get yourself hooked-up via wireless or rj45 LAN cable.

in general, there is not much of a problem getting yourself connected to the www in Langkawi... so, you needn't worry yourself over this issue.

lastly, I've been here since 1992... DSL broadband first became commercially available in Langkawi sometime after 2000. so, there you go!