THE AWARENESS OF 3G FACILITIES AND SERVICES

AMONG THE COMMUNITY IN SHAH ALAM

On 10 August 2009, Puan Usdiyati binti Raden requested a team of student led by Mohmmad Afif Ansari Bin Jamaludin to conduct a research and prepare a report on the awareness of 3G facilities and services among the community in Shah Alam. The report has to include background information, provide statically data and relevant information and submitted together with recommendations on the 5th October 2009.

TERMS OF REFERENCES

The great advancements in computer technology have resulted in vast improvements being made in the way we communicate. As a result, much has been done improve telecommunications services and tools. It is often quite difficult to keep up with the latest advancements and many people are unaware of the latest facilities for communication. This report will focus on the awareness of the general public concerning the existence and benefits of 3G facilities.

INTRODUCTION

  The term “3G” stands for “third

generation” and refers to “a wireless industry term for a collection of international standards and technologies aimed at increasing efficiency and improving the performance of mobile wireless networks

What is 3G?

Citizens can access vital communication services and promoting the development of technology advancements.

3G allows for higher call volumes and supports multimedia data applications such as video and photography.

Today, 3G networks play a vital role in expanding access to essential communication (voice) and value-added information (data) services.

We can also view the news headlines, get information about the evening weather so that we can plan our party.

 Benefits of 3G

Sources from IT community said the expansion of 3G networks, devices and services in countries around the world is enhancing quality of life and providing expanded economic opportunities, both in the public and private sectors.

The expansion of economic opportunities results in increased competition, the development of innovative new services for consumers and greater productivity for enterprises by workers.

Finally, 3G provides the country’s citizens with richer, more compelling communications services. Access to convenient affordable and highly customizable mobile broadband devices and services makes life more productive, secure and meaningful and empowers people to transform the way they live, learn, work and play.

Effects of 3G on everyday life

The objectives of this report are to: 

Asses the awareness of the community in Shah Alam concerning the availability of modern tools of communications.

Discover the need for and usefulness of 3G among the community in Shah Alam.

Purpose

This study was only carried out 1 major urban areas with access to broadband facilities.

No attempt was made to conduct a research in rural areas or areas where hotspots were limited.

Various printed resources and published reports on the issue were looked into before analyzing the data in detail.

Other relevant text references were also used to justify the scope and focus of the report.

Scope and Limitations of the Study

The information for this report was obtained through a survey in which 300 questionnaires were distributed to community at shopping malls in Shah Alam.

Interviews were also conducted with Mr. Ahmad Danial, a branch manager of Maxis at 3.00 p.m on 21st of September 2009, at his office in SACC mall in Shah Alam.

Method of Investigation

Data obtained from the questionnaire were collated and analyzed. Frequency counts and percentages of the data were computed.

Analysis of Data

180; 60%

120; 40%

Percentage whether they know what 3g refers to.

YESNO

Citing the lack of user education and the affordability of services as acting as barriers in the market. (Weekly Flash – Global HSPA/WiMAX Developments, 24th NOV 2006)

About 15.5 million mobile SIM cards active on the local market, less then 3% of them are used for 3G. (Business Review - 21st APRIL 2007)

Finding & Discussion

newspaper magazines television radio internet0

20

40

60

80

100

120

45 45

120

30

60

Statistic about information of 3G

Series 1

Television has become a common communication in homes, business, and institutions. It a powerful and attractive medium for advertisers.

Internet is a new medium that is commonly used to get any information. It is more friendly and easy to explore.

66; 22%

234; 78%

Percentage about Possession of 3G Mobile phones

YES

NO

3G mobile phones are more expansive .

They just looking for the phone that only has the basic features. Example SMS, MMS and camera.

MAXIS CELCOM DIGI0

5

10

15

20

25

30

3533

25

8

Statistics by Types of 3G Services

Maxis and Celcom provide wider coverage than Digi. Both of them are the leading 3G services company in Malaysia and Digi only starts provide 3G on early 2009.

Based on the article from Stars newspaper , Maxis claims to offer the widest range of mobile data products and services and has the largest base of mobile data users in Malaysia.

between 1-6months

between 7-12months

more than a year05

10152025303540

40

20

6

Statistics by Time Usage of 3G Services

According to research of outfit International Data Corp (IDC), subscriber numbers in the Asia pacific are expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 68.5 % from 2005-2009.

Several factors have helped 3G services to take off. One factor is the prices of 3G mobile phones, which have come down, much to the relief of consumers.

e-mail access

gaming

video conferencing

location based services

tv facilities

internet access

SMS and MMS

0 50 100 150 200 250 300

213

138

170

45

67

233

270

Statistics about the Importance of 3G Facilities

Stars Newspaper state that mobile devices not only for making calls and SMS, but also for new updates, navigation, communications, e-mail, gaming and entertainment.

A global research report indicates that the number of messages sent through mobile devices have exceeded those sent from personal computers.

Mobile Instant Messaging (MIM) is another exciting feature that is experiencing strong growth with 13% of global mobile phone users now using this feature, compared to 8% last year.

Conducted with Mr. Ahmad Danial, a branch manager of Maxis. He is an expert on maxis customer services and he had worked with maxis for almost 4 years now.

He stated that compared to other 3G services, maxis has more specialties such as wider coverage, services like short text messages (SMS), multimedia messages (MMS), video calls, and high speed internet access and also many reasonable packages that customer can actually choose to fit their needs.

According to him, 3G mobile phone is very useful gadget that enables users to enjoy the 3G technologies and services. There are many types of 3G mobile phones that are available in market at a very affordable price.

He suggest that the mobile phone companies or other 3G services provider enhanced their marketing strategies, do a lot of advertisement to attract more customers to use 3G services that gives a lot of benefits to them and make their life easier.

Interview Responses

From the studies done on the 3G Services and Facilities that are provided in Malaysia, certain conclusions can be drawn from the results obtain basically from the questionnaire that was distributed to the people.

◦ Based on the finding of our study, we can conclude that most of the people are unaware of the benefits of the 3G mobile phones. According to our respondents the range age between 20 to 30 years old, they are highly unwaware about that. Even thought the majority of our respondents do not have 3G mobile phones, they do aware about usage of 3G services and facilities.

 ◦ According to the rate of satisfaction, a majority are satisfied with the

present use of their mobile phones to send short text message and pictures while most are contented with the basic use of the mobile phones as a useful tool to stay in touch with relatives, friends and business associates anywhere and at any time.

Conclusions

◦ Despite of respondents being aware about “3G” terms due to advertisement and media coverage, most people are not very sure about the benefits of 3G. They feel that 3G services and facilities although useful are not necessary and important for everyday life.

◦ In overall, they consider 3G only useful to the tech savvy or those who have to be always up-to-date with the latest in the technology market. Even they have 3G mobile phone, not all of them do know to use 3G facilities appropriately.

In conclusion, although most people are aware of “3G” as a term, most are unware of the benefits, or the impact 3G will have on

society in the near future.

This is the recommendation of this study that the following proposals be implemented:

1) Benefits of “3G” Services and Facilities The company that provided “3G” services and facilities should make

more advertisements using the media like television and newspaper about their advantage when using their services and facilities. By doing this, people will get more information about the benefits of “3G”.

2) Rate of Satisfaction The “3G” services provider should improve and increase their existing

range of services especially in speed and network of coverage. There are many customers who are interested in using “3G” services are located in out of the coverage area. High speed of internet services will increase the usage of internet using “3G” and customer satisfaction.

Recommendations

3) Package of “3G” Services The “3G” services provider should provided various “3G”

packages with affordable prices. By doing this, people can choose the best package with the best price. It can attract more people to use the “3G” services especially medium range income group.