DiGi Malaysia Rockin' Network Drive Test

Just the other day, DiGi Malaysia held their Rockin' Network Drive Test for it's employees, opening it to media as well to experience the drive. It's a new nationwide 'Best for Internet Network Drive Test' with more than 600 of its employees participating over 26 cluster locations to test the telecom's brand new network. I had the opportunity to participate in the Klang Valley one, and it was a good experience. 

DiGi Malaysia Rockin' Network Drive Test

Basically, the drill was simple, drive around in the car, use DiGi's data network, and feedback on how's the experience using it. This move was part of a "continuous effort by DiGi to mobilise its ambassadors on the ground and constantly review and provide feedback on how the network. DiGi provides mobile voice, internet and digital services to 11 million customers in Malaysia, a rather massive number if you asked me. 

Albern Murty, Chief Operating Office (COO), DiGi Telecommunications giving a short briefing to the media present

DiGi chief operating office Albern Murty mentioned in his speech that the company has completed a two-year network modernisation exercise to deliver an enhanced high quality internet service to Malaysians. The purpose of the Network Drive Test which is held on regular basis was to have their staff experience the improved network themselves.

The objective and scope of the network drive test

Adrian and TianChad posing for the camera before our drive out

I was there with Nuffie Adrian and fellow blogger TianChad, all set and ready to test out DiGi's network while driving from their HQ towards Sunway Pyramid and everywhere in between. We did evaluations on the internet on the highway, residential/commercial places and finally inside the mall itself. 

A group selfie (we-fie) in our ride, all decked in DiGi's yellow shirt and equipped with DiGi sim card

In the past two years, DiGi has invested about RM1.5 billion in capital expenditure to modernize its network as well as expand its footprint nationwide, Albern Murty said.

"We have swapped every electronic part in more than 5,500 sites with brand new equipment, expanded our HSPA+ 3G network to more than 80 percent population coverage, and increased our own and jointly built fibre network to more than 3,200 kilometres nationwide," he added.

The results were pretty good in my opinion. We experienced uninterrupted data, running both video and radio streaming throughout the journey. We tested out the calls as well, without any calls being dropped, which was commendable considering I have always been rather skeptical of DiGi based on my past experience using it. I must say, after undergoing this short 'exercise', my perception has changed, and I'm pretty confident DiGi has improved by leaps and bounds following their network modernization.