[ UPDATE 21/12/2021 13:00 ] We have completed our quick roadtest with Yes 5G in Kuala Lumpur. Here are our first impressions of the first 5G service in Malaysia.
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Yes, the telco under YTL Communications, is the first to offer 5G service to consumers in Malaysia. For a limited time until 31st March 2022, users on 5G enabled plans can enjoy unlimited 5G data on Digital Nasional Berhad’s 5G network.
Before you sign up or walk into a store, here are 8 things you need to know.
Yes 5G Plans start from RM30/month
Yes offers one prepaid and two postpaid plan options. The most affordable way to get started is their Yes Prepaid FT5G Unlimited plan which costs RM30/month. The plan offers unlimited 4G data capped at 7Mbps, but you’ll get unlimited 5G data with uncapped speeds within DNB’s coverage areas. The plan also gets 9GB of hotspot data at full speeds and unlimited calls to all networks.
If you prefer to get a postpaid plan without a device contract, the Yes Postpaid FT5G plan at RM49/month offers 100GB of 4G data at uncapped speeds and unlimited 5G data without speed caps on DNB’s network. The plan also comes with unlimited calls to all networks.
Yes offers 5G phones on contact but you’ll have to pay more than the retail price upfront
If you don’t have a 5G device, Yes is offering device bundles with its Yes Postpaid FT5G RM99 plan. The plan comes with 250GB of 4G data with free unlimited access to DNB’s 5G network. You also get unlimited calls to all networks.
They have a total of 13 5G phones available ranging from Xiaomi, Realme, Vivo, Nokia and Oppo. All devices are tied to a 24-month contract and you can get the Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE, Vivo Y76 5G, Vivo V23e 5G, Nokia X20 5G and Oppo A74 5G for RM0.
Do note that all postpaid plans require a one-month subscription fee as an advance payment which will be rebated back to you over two months. If you’re getting the device on contract, you’ll have to pay a hefty upfront payment which costs more than the device itself. For example, the Xiaomi 11T 256GB retails for RM1,899, but you’ll have to pay RM1,982.15 upfront when you sign up for the device contract online.
Free unlimited 5G data until 31st March 2022
Do note that the free unlimited 5G data promo is only valid until 31st March 2022. This is offered in conjunction with DNB’s free 5G access offer to telcos until the end of March next year. If you wish to enjoy unlimited 5G beyond March, Yes may offer it as a separate add-on once the commercial deal is signed with DNB.
According to Yes’ website, there will be no price increase between 4G to 5G when you sign up for their postpaid plans before 31st March 2022.
Voice calls still rely on 4G
At the moment, Yes 5G service is only for data services. When you make voice calls, it uses Voice over LTE (VoLTE) and this means your connection will switch to Yes’ 4G network. Voice-over 5G New Radio (VoNR) is still not available at the moment.
Compatible 5G Devices
DNB’s network is primarily using the 3.5GHz band for 5G coverage at the moment which is supported by most 5G devices in the market. However, take note that the DNB’s 5G network is not compatible with all 5G devices yet. Devices like the iPhone 12, iPhone 13, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3, Galaxy Z Flip 3, Galaxy S20 FE 5G, and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G are not supported for now.
Yes has provided a list of supported 5G devices, and most of them are from Chinese manufacturers such as Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo and Huawei. Interestingly, Yes has listed the Asus ROG 5s and Motorola Edge 20 Pro as compatible devices despite being listed as “Upcoming” devices on DNB’s website.
5G Coverage areas
At the moment, DNB’s 5G network covers selected areas of Cyberjaya, Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur. Being a new network, the coverage is quite sporadic and the 5G coverage predominantly covers outdoor areas. That means if you’re indoors or out of DNB’s 5G coverage, your connection will fall back on Yes’ 4G network. Eventually, the coverage will improve over time especially after more 700MHz sites are switched on.
According to DNB, you can get average speeds of 100Mbps at the weakest point of coverage and the plotted coverage areas offer an average speed of 514Mbps. It aims to cover 10% of the population with 500 sites by the end of this year. In 2022, it aims to cover 40% of populated areas which will include Penang, Johor, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Perak. Ultimately, their main goal is to hit 80% coverage by the end of 2024, which is significantly faster than the time it takes to roll out 4G.
Existing Yes 4G prepaid customers must upgrade to postpaid to enjoy 5G
Existing Yes customers can make the switch to the 5G plans, however, you’ll need to switch to a new SIM. The only way to do so is by dropping an email to yescare [@] yes.my.
Unfortunately, the Yes Prepaid FT5G is only offered to new customers. If you’re an existing Yes prepaid subscriber and wish to keep your number, you must upgrade to the Yes Postpaid FT5G RM49 option and you can only do so over the counter.
5G-enabled SIM only available at selected stores
Following the launch of Yes 5G service yesterday, we went to a Yes store at Lot 10 hoping to get a prepaid starter pack. Unfortunately, the Prepaid SIMs are not available at the store and the only way to pick up a 5G-enabled SIM is to order online via their website. The prepaid starter pack with the plan costs RM30 and they will ship to your doorstep for free.
[ UPDATE 18/12/2021 16:00 ] According to Yes, the 5G-enabled SIMs are now available at selected Yes Stores, MyNews outlets and dealers in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Cyberjaya.
