YES is back in the race, first to launch VoLTE

• Also launches own Android VoLTE smartphone, the YES Altitude
• ‘Double Data’ service plan offered at RM70/month

 
YTL Communications Sdn Bhd launched its new YES 4G LTE (Long-Term Evolution) network today (June 30), becoming the first telco in Malaysia to roll out a Voice-over-LTE (VoLTE) service, and in conjunction, launched its own Android smartphone, the YES Altitude, priced at RM399.
 
[RM1 = US$0.24]
 
YTL Comms is the telecommunications subsidiary of utilities company YTL Power International Bhd and part of the YTL Corporation Bhd group.
 
The activation of its all-IP (Internet Protocol) network marks YTL Comms’ entry into the full-fledged telco space against rivals such as Celcom Axiata Bhd, Digi.com Bhd, Maxis Bhd, and U Mobile Sdn Bhd.
 
READ ALSO: YES goes to town again, this time with LTE
 
Its new service plan costs RM70 per month for 24GB of data (16GB of 4G LTE and 8GB of 4G broadband), and comes bundled with the YES Altitude phone. It is not known whether it will offer an unbundled plan for users who already have their choice of phones.
 
At the launch in Kuala Lumpur earlier today, YTL Comms chief executive officer Wing K. Lee said that users can access both 4G LTE and 4G broadband networks in a single service plan.
 
“We are Malaysia’s undisputed 4G data leader and our data plans are the lowest in the country,” he claimed.
 
YTL Comms also claims to have 85% nationwide population coverage.
 
According to the company, the YES Altitude (pic) is a “full-fledged” 4G VoLTE smartphone, sporting a 5in HD IPS on-cell display. It supports VoLTE for HD voice and video calls which offer up to at least three times better quality than calls made on 2G and 3G networks.
 
“Its dual-SIM functionality allows users convenience and flexibility in managing their SIM cards for the best data and best voice call rates in the market,” the company said in an official statement.
 
“With a recommended retail price of RM399, it’s the lowest priced VoLTE smartphone in Malaysia,” it said, adding that the YES Altitude comes in three colours – gold, white and silver.

Other phones that support the new service are the Lenovo A6010, the Xiaomi Mi5 and Redmi Note 3; and the Samsung J Series, Note 5 and Galaxy S7.
 
Meanwhile, YTL Corp managing director Francis Yeoh said YTL Comms has been working with its tech partners – Samsung, Qualcomm, China Mobile, Google and Elitecore Technologies – to develop LTE solutions and products.
 
“We believe that our new 4G LTE network will dramatically change the landscape of mobile services throughout the country,” he said at the launch.
 
“Our all-IP, high-capacity 4G LTE Internet service supports multi-activities such as downloading or streaming movies, and making calls – all at the same time,” he added.
 
In an earlier exclusive interview with Digital News Asia (DNA), Wing argued that YTL Comms has a capacity advantage over other telco players, which have to support not only their 4G networks but also their 2G and 3G networks.
 
“This means their opex and capex (operating and capital expenditure) costs are high. But because we designed our IP network correctly, our capex is lower and our opex even more so, with only around 1,000 permanent staff.
 
“We can thus pass the economic benefits here to our customers,” he had said during the interview.
 
At today’s launch, Wing likened the user experience as driving on highway lanes, where YES 4G users can surf on the “widest all-4G superhighway.”
 
“On other networks, 4G users have to share lanes with other 3G users,” he declared.
 
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YTL Comms’ break-even target may be under threat
 
 
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