MYTV myFreeview in Balik Pulau, Penang via DVB-T2 DTT from Bukit Larut, Perak

As September 2019, MYTV myFreeview digital terrestrial television covers 95% of Penang areas. All frequencies from all transmitter sites for Penang are same, CH45 UHF 666MHz and CH49 UHF 682MHz as they run single frequency network, SFN.

1. TM Seberang Jaya covers Seberang Perai, East Penang Island and Bayan Lepas

2. Gunung Jerai covers North Penang, Batu Feringghi, Tanjung Tokong, Teluk Bahang and Tanjung Bungah.

3. Penang U4 covers Georgetown and East Penang Island.

While most of Penang urban areas are covered by myFreeview DTT transmission, but Balik Pulau and Teluk Kumbar cannot receive any MYTV digital TV signal from Gunung Jerai, Penang U4 and TM Seberang Jaya due to many terrains. Although if MYTV installs digital terrestrial television transmitter in Bukit Penara, it cannot guarantee Balik Pulau can receive myFreeview from Bukit Penara because not all Balik Pulau areas cannot receive Bukit Penara TV/radio signal clearly, even some of areas cannot receive from Bukit Penara. For Balik Pulau and Teluk Kumbar, usually these areas are covered by local repeater site, named Bukit Genting.

Bukit Genting actually covers only Balik Pulau and Teluk Kumbar. In my opinion, it is not worth to install MYTV DVB-T2 transmitter in Bukit Genting due to small coverage population, compare to Bukit Penara, Seberang Jaya and Penang U4.

YB Haji Zolkifly (State constituency member of Teluk Bahang N40) distributed MYTV satellite dish and decoder to Balik Pulau residents. Picture was taken from YB Haji Zolkifly Bin Md Lazim Facebook page where published on 23rd July 2019

Currently, Balik Pulau and Teluk Kumbar people receive MYTV myFreeview digital TV via DTH direct to home by using satellite dish. Since MYTV Asiasat-9 runs Ku Band, so I cannot guarantee myFreeview can be received or not during raining because Ku Band is sensitive of rainfade. In another way, actually Balik Pulau and Teluk Kumbar still can receive MYTV myFreeview via DTT by using UHF antenna, definitely not receive from Seberang Jaya, Gunung Jerai or Penang U4, but Bukit Larut.

Technically, Balik Pulau and Teluk Kumbar can receive MYTV myFreeview from Bukit Larut, but needs few equipment:

1. Outdoor UHF antenna 37e (longest receiving antenna)

2. Antenna booster

It is a mandatory to use outdoor UHF antenna in Balik Pulau if receive from Bukit Larut. For people who uses indoor antenna, please replace with 37E outdoor UHF antenna. Indoor antenna cannot receive MYTV from Bukit Larut in Balik Pulau, indoor antenna only allows to receive TV signal at maximum 20km distance from TV transmitter site.

Balik Pulau and Teluk Kumbar can receive Bukit Larut signal because Bukit Larut has high elevation, but it is subject to receiving antenna types. Although Bukit Larut mainly covers Taiping and Northwest Perak, but its signal can spill to Penang actually. I claim that Balik Pulau and Teluk Kumbar MYTV can receive from Bukit Larut is based on my listening experience of Mix FM in Balik Pulau, back to December 2013. 

Let me to story about Mix FM in Balik Pulau where I mentioned before. Mix FM frequency in Penang is actually FM 91.0MHz from Gunung Jerai, but Mix is being interfered by RTM Mutiara FM 90.9MHz from Bukit Genting in Balik Pulau and Teluk Kumbar since 2003, even Mix FM 91.0MHz may have interference in Bayan Lepas, so I tuned to FM 91.3MHz from Bukit Larut in order to continue listening to Mix FM. Although Mix FM 91.3MHz is receivable in Balik Pulau, but the reception is not so clear actually.

UHF receiving antenna range

Regarding the receiving distance between Balik Pulau and Bukit Larut, it is about 83km, meanwhile the adjacent distance from Bukit Larut to Teluk Kumbar is 79-80km. So, for these two areas, it is highly recommended to use 37E receiving antenna with booster in Balik Pulau and Teluk Kumbar. 14E is not recommended because its maximum receiving distance is only 80km, but 37E is between 80-100km. Antenna below 37E are not encouraged to be used in Balik Pulau. For Bayan Lepas, 14E UHF antenna can be used because it can receive from Seberang Jaya.

In terms of reception status, Teluk Kumbar receives from Bukit Larut may be better than Balik Pulau because it is located at southern coastal area of Penang Island where Bukit Larut can spill signal there. For Balik Pulau, after I mention 37e UHF antenna and booster, height of receiving antenna is another concern. Put a bit higher of outdoor antenna may be better, but it is not necessary to do make ultra high antenna in Balik Pulau to receive Bukit Larut DTT like North Johor households receive Singapore TV with high antenna.

Neglect DTH service, but technically MYTV myFreeview already covers Penang state at 100% with 4 transmission sites, two of them are local sites, another two are from neighboring states.

==MYTV myFreeview in Penang==

 1. TM Seberang Jaya (Central Seberang Perai) covers Seberang Perai, East Penang Island and Bayan Lepas

2. Gunung Jerai (Gurun, Kedah) covers North Penang, Batu Feringghi, Tanjung Tokong, Teluk Bahang and Tanjung Bungah.

3. Penang U4 (Georgetown, Penang) covers Georgetown and East Penang Island.

4. Bukit Larut (Taiping, Perak) covers Balik Pulau and Teluk Kumbar

Have a good try. Please leave comment if there is feedback.

Unknown radio station FM 93.8MHz detected in Kuala Kedah, Malaysia (Al-Falah FM 93.8MHz Sigil Aceh)

In Kuala Kedah, which not far away from jetty. Mutiara FM 93.9MHz Gunung Jerai signal turned weak, the radio signal became an unknown radio station.

By clicking auto searching, the radio receiver stopped at FM 93.8MHz, the unknown radio station carried Al-Quran recite programs. I recorded the video where not far away from Kuala Kedah mosque, then the signal disappeared when I turned to Sungai Kedah river bridge.

Initially suspect FM 93.8MHz is from Indonesia, I had checked on Asiawaves.net, none of radio stations are registered on FM 93.8MHz within North Sumatra.

I believe FM 93.8MHz that I spotted is Islamic radio station. FM 93.8MHz is not used in North Sumatra, coincidentally Aceh is Muslim majority province in Indonesia, so I tried to search it on Google by typing "FM 93.8MHz Aceh".

It is Al Falah FM 93.8MHz, based in Sigli, Aceh province of Indonesia.

==INFORMATION==

* Station name: Al-Falah FM 

* Frequency: FM 93.8MHz

* Transmission site: Sigil, Aceh province, Indonesia

* Receiving site: Kuala Kedah, Malaysia 
* Distance: 482km

Mutiara FM 93.9MHz Gunung Jerai interfered by 94PFM We Love Satun from Satun, Thailand in Alor Setar, Kedah

RTM Mutiara FM is a state radio station to target Penang state with 3 frequencies, FM 95.7MHz Bukit Penara, FM 93.9MHz Gunung Jerai (low power) and FM 90.9MHz Bukit Genting (low power).

Since it targets only Penang, but the radio station is clashed by few Thailand radio stations in Kedah. Gunung Jerai is transmission site to cover Kedah, Penang and Perlis, but Mutiara FM 93.9MHz never covers Kedah actually. In addition, Georgetown and Seberang Perai are not FM 93.9MHz Gunung Jerai coverage as they're covered by FM 95.7MHz Bukit Penara.

Actually Mutiara FM 93.9MHz Gunung Jerai covers only Batu Feringghi, Tanjung Bungah and Teluk Bahang where these areas cannot receive FM 95.7MHz from Bukit Penara due to terrains. Interesting thing about FM 93.9MHz Gunung Jerai reception in Kedah is Mutiara FM clashed with Thailand radio station.

In Alor Setar, Jitra and Ayer Hitam of Kedah, Mutiara FM 93.9MHz actually is clashed by 94PFM We Love Satun which transmitted from Satun, Thailand. Imagine if 94PFM We Love Satun is transmitted from Tambon Khuan Khan, Satun, Thailand where occupied by Radio Thailand Satun FM 95.5MHz and FM 99.5MHz, I may believe Mutiara FM 93.9MHz will get more interference from 94PFM badly in Alor Setar.

MCOT Phatthalung FM 95.75MHz can be received at Gunung Jerai top peak, Malaysia.

In Kedah and Perlis of Malaysia where are not far from Thailand border, it is common that these states can receive neighboring TV and radio stations from Thailand, notably Satun, Songkhla, Yala and Betong provinces. For Langkawi, due to its strategic geographical location, the island somehow can receive Thailand radio stations from Trang, Phatthalung and Phuket.

For mainland Kedah areas, Satun, Songkhla and Yala transmitted Thailand radio stations are receivable, but surprisingly Phatthalung radio station can be received in Kedah. When I traveled to Gunung Jerai top peak, usually I could capture Thailand radio stations signal clearly in Satun, Yala and Songkhla, but I received MCOT Phatthalung FM 95.75MHz there. 

I thought Mutiara FM 95.7MHz from Bukit Penara could be received at Gunung Jerai top peak, but the frequency became Thailand radio station. I already guessed FM 95.7 is MCOT Phatthalung during that time.

From Phatthalung to Gunung Jerai top peak, the adjacent distance is 215km, reception of MCOT Phatthalung is moderate there.

At Gunung Jerai top peak, MCOT FM 95.75MHz is the only Phatthalung radio station can be received there, compare to other Phatthalung radio stations such as Radio Thailand FM 98.0MHz (Zayan FM 98.1MHz Gunung Jerai signal), TP4 FM 89.25MHz (Lite FM Bukit Larut 89.3MHz signal).

When I drove from foothill to top peak of Gunung Jerai (12km distance), Mutiara FM and MCOT Phatthalung were clashing each other on FM 95.7MHz.

==RF analysis==

95.7MHz: Mutiara FM Bukit Penara

95.75MHz: MCOT Phatthalung

<50kHz>

สถานีวิทยุกองทัพภาคที่ 4 จังหวัดตรัง FM 103.00 MHz from Trang, Thailand received in Penang and Alor Setar?

A Thailand radio station from Trang province can be received in Penang and Alor Setar?

In Alor Setar, the only available Thailand radio stations are transmitted from Satun, Songkhla and Yala. 

Yala is not the furthest Thailand radio station that received in Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia, but Trang is the furthest.

In Trang Thailand, there is an army radio station, which operated by Royal Thai Army 4th area division, known as สถานีวิทยุกองทัพภาคที่ 4 จังหวัดตรัง FM 103.00 MHz (4th Army Radio Station Trang FM 103.0MHz, also known as Thor Por Sii in Thai radio call sign name).

สถานีวิทยุกองทัพภาคที่ 4 จังหวัดตรัง (Satthanii Witthayu Kong Thap Phak Thi Si Changwat Trang)

This radio station operates on FM 103.0MHz from Na Tham Nuea, Trang, Thailand, transmission power is 3.5kW (ERP: 7kW). It can be received in part of Langkawi actually via coastal transmission, but surprisingly FM 103.0MHz Trang can be received in some Alor Setar areas and Penang.

When I was driving at some higher areas in Alor Setar (a flyover bridge), Perlis FM 102.9MHz from Padang Pauh was interfered by FM 103.0MHz from Trang, Thailand. While Perlis FM 102.9MHz was playing Sabyan Gambus song (Arabic Islamic song cover version), I could hear some Thai Lukthung (Thai country) music noise, then I switched to FM 103.0MHz, it was receivable, but poor reception.

In addition, Perlis FM 102.9MHz definitely cannot be received anymore when drive to Sungai Petani, and Penang. As I know, Perlis FM 102.9MHz Padang Pauh can be received only in Tanjung Bungah high elevation areas of Penang Island. When Perlis FM 102.9MHz Padang Pauh reception went poor in Penang, but I can receive Thailand radio station FM 103.0MHz from Trang province in Tasek Gelugor and Bukit Tambun, so freak!


Distance between Thor Por Sii FM 103.0MHz Trang Thailand and Penang, Kedah is about 220km-280km.

Seriously say that FM 103.0MHz is the strongest radio station among all Trang province radio stations. Compare to MCOT FM 106.25MHz Trang and Radio Thailand FM 91.25MHz Trang, both of them did not overspill signal beyond Langkawi Island, even they never transmit signal to Perlis and Kedah, but Thor Por Sii Trang FM 103.0MHz has very strong propagation where it can overspill signal to Penang of Malaysia.

在馬來西亞收看台灣三立電視台的方式, 就是下載Vidol應用程序

要收看台灣三立電視台直播視頻, 但卻在馬來西亞只有三立國際台, 嫌看台語或華語偶像劇看不飽? 不用期望馬來西亞付費電視台引進台灣台/都會台, 直接用Vidol就行了.

其實收看三立電視台 (台灣台/都會台), 可以在Google Play Store下載Vidol應用程序, 但收看三立台灣台或都會台直播視頻是必須付費的.

Vidol 是三立電視的OTT平台, 成立於2016年. 其實Vidol手機應用程序都有三立的VOD (Video On Demand)視頻, 有些Video On Demand電視劇是免費. 台語電視劇"戲說台灣"完整版都可以通過Vidol免費收看, 但部份的偶像劇是要付費的.

看三立Vidol應用程序的視頻都是需要註冊戶口或用Facebook登入就可以了, 註冊都是免費的.

如果要看三立台灣台或都會台直播頻道的話, 登入帳號後, 三立會給你試看6分鐘. 看完三立其中一家電視台後, 若繼續收看, 觀眾就必須簽購三立配套. 以下都是三立電視配套價格, 包定你可以看飽飽 (價格以馬幣為準):

對我而言, 追看台灣三立電視台 (台灣台/都會台), 價格方面是非常合理, 每個月付RM16收看三立台灣台和都會台其實都不錯, 反而馬來西亞A字大台的付費電視頻道比較貴 (或許因為他們要付電費, 衛星傳輸費和版權費吧!). 因為OTT是網絡傳輸的數碼平台, 所以電視台通過OTT是不需要付衛星傳輸費/有線傳輸費等等.

現在的電視機越來越先進, Smart TV (智能性電視)具備Android Cast, 互聯網和藍芽功能. 一台已經下載Vidol應用程序的手機或平板電腦都可以通過Android Cast在電視大螢幕收看三立電視台...

同時也要留意的事情就是, 因版權限制政策, 不是所有的國家可以收看三立電視台直播視頻.

如果用手機收看Vidol的三立電視台直播頻道, 但擔心行動數據Data很快用盡, 我建議簽購DiGi Postpaid Infinite 100, 無限上網, SMS和撥打電話, 只不過每個月RM100.

MYTV myFreeview coverage in Negeri Sembilan (DTT)

Currently MYTV myFreeview achieves 98% of coverage in Malaysia. For Negeri Sembilan, MYTV has no DTT transmitter in Gunung Telapak Burok yet, so Gunung Telapak Burok coverage areas where cannot receive DTT areas must use satellite, but most of Negeri Sembilan areas can receive via DTT from neighboring transmitter sites.

1. Gunung Ulu Kali/Bukit Sungai Besi/Menara KL (UHF 666MHz and 682MHz)

- Nilai

- Bandar Enstek

- Labu

- Mantin

- Lenggeng

2. Bukit Tampin (UHF546MHz and 722MHz)

- Tampin

- Kota

- Rembau

- Linggi

- Pasir Panjang

- Rantau

- Port Dickson

- Silliau

- Pedas

- Seremban

- Senawang

- Inas

3. Gunung Ledang (UHF546MHz and 722MHz)

- Gemas

- Gemencheh

- Bahau (Mahsan, Ladang Geddes)

- Bandar Seri Jempol

- Felda Serting

- Felda Lui

- Felda Palong

- Johol (7e UHF antenna required)

- Dangi

- Batu Kikir

- Kuala Pilah

- Simpang Pertang

- Juasseh

- Kuala Klawang town (high antenna required)

- Felda Pasoh

- Kepis

4. Asiasat-9 Satellite DTH

- Pantai

- Ulu Klawang

- Titi

- Simpang Durian

- Bahau town

- Tanjung Ipoh

- Seri Menanti

- Kuala Klawang (outside of town)

For Kuala Klawang, most of areas must be covered by Asiasat-9 DTH, but people can install high UHF antenna (like North Johor receives Singapore channel) in Kuala Klawang town, Simpang Durian and Titi to receive myFreeview from Gunung Ledang.

Imagine if Gunung Telapak Burok DTT DVB-T2 transmitter is installed, although it benefits Kuala Pilah, Seremban, Jempol and Kuala Klawang, but there are still having blind spot areas within Gunung Telapak Burok coverage such as Kampung Petaseh, Tanjung Ipoh (Ulu Bendul), Kampung Petaseh, and Kampung Kerangai where reception of MYTV DTT from Gunung Telapak Burok may not be stable and perfectly locked.

Suggest to launch foreign TV stations on MYTV digital terrestiral television platform? IMPOSSIBLE!

On August 2019, Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) announced to implement analogue switch off (ASO) by turning off analogue terrestrial television within August till October 2019, then MYTV myFreeview is Malaysia digital terrestrial television provider.

MYTV actually was launched in 2015. It started digital terrestrial television DVB-T2 broadcast transmission since April 2015 from east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. With digital switchover policy, a TV frequency can handle more TV channels with MUX mode, compare to analog where 1 frequency only carries 1 channel.

After analogue TV is switched off, all current free-to-air television channels will be on MYTV myFreeview digitally, it is free, just only to buy DVB-T2 set-top-box or digital ready television unit to watch DTT.

Here are the current channels where broadcast on myFreeview: RTM (TV1 HD, TV2 HD, TVOkey HD, RTM News HD, RTM Sports HD), Media Prima (TV3 HD, NTV7, 8TV, TV9, CJ Wow Shop- Malay and CJ Wow Shop- Chinese), Bernama News Channel, TV Alhijrah and 6 RTM radio stations (Radio Klasik, Nasional FM, Asyik FM, Ai FM, Traxx FM and Minnal FM).

Actually many new TV players already got broadcast license where expected to be on MYTV after analogue switch off. Of course people will get very excited about MYTV myFreeview because they can get more free-to-air TV channels after analogue switch off, so everyone will discuss and act as "digital terrestrial TV" specialist on social media.

In every country, digital terrestrial television stations are local broadcasters, none of foreign TV stations broadcast on free-to-air TV platform due to license conditions. While people are very exciting about myFreeview, one of people always posts on few digital TV Facebook group to suggest  MYTV to launch Indonesia television channels for free, means Indonesia TV channels broadcast in Malaysia as free-to-air platform.

"I think MYTV shall have discussion and cooperation with any Indonesia television broadcasters who are interesting to broadcast on MYTV for Malaysia. If Hankuk TV (a joint venture between Korean and Malaysian broadcast companies) has collaborated with MYTV,  Indonesia TV supposely have to do so, as its language is almost same with Malay and it is easily to be understood, despite without any subtitles", this fella stated.

YES, YOU CAN, BUT YOU MUST PAY. NOTHING IS FREE IN THE WORLD!

Anyway this depends on Indonesia broadcasters decision whether they want to enter Malaysia TV market or not, but it is impossible to broadcast on free-to-air terrestrial platform. This is because:

1. Free-to-air television broadcast license in Malaysia is only applied to local company.

2. Foreign broadcasters are not allowed to apply free-to-air television broadcast license in Malaysia. In addition, in respect to the requirement of free-to-air television broadcast license, the license holder must air at least 65% of local content, although they air some imported content on TV.

3. In terms of market, Malaysia is not Indonesia TV stations coverage country (not to mention overspill signal where happens in Johor). Imagine if any foreign TV channels are launched in Malaysia via terrestrial as free-to-air, they need to pay more transmission fees, and how do they get advertising revenue in Malaysia, as their advertisers are different?

4. Copyright circumstances. 

5. If foreign broadcasters want to operate in Malaysia via terrestrial, joint venture with local company may make sense, but I believe that the broadcaster will air at least 50% of local content due to license requirement.

6. When he compares Hankuk TV, which is expected to carry Korean content on MYTV, I believe Hankuk TV will be only available as pay TV on MYTV DTH satellite platform. If Hankuk TV airs on DTT, the station must have some local content, unless the joint venture company holds CASP license (Content Application Service Provider) which allows to broadcast more stations. 
7. Country autonomy, politic and culture issues. If foreign channels are landed in Malaysia via free-to-air terrestrial platform without filtering advertisement, this can threaten a country's sovereignty by claiming foreign broadcasters without JV use local license and frequencies.

Example: I want CCTV-1, CCTV-9 and SET Metro Channel to be on MYTV, but it is not possible on free-to-air terrestrial due to license condition... Unless on pay TV.

Actually watching International channels are mostly on pay TV platform, regardless satellite, cable TV or IPTV platform. 

Talk about that guy who always suggests MYTV to launch Indonesia television channels on DTT, from my view, he always expects those things from MYTV, but those are not complying free-to-air license regulations at all! Few questions that I should raise up here:

1. Why doesn't he watch Indonesia channels by paying Indonesia TV package subscription fees on Astro or Unifi TV? 

2. Indonesia TV channels such as antv, RCTI, Trans7 launch its video-on-demand content for free via YouTube, why doesn't he subscribe them on YouTube? So he can watch his favorite Indonesian television content on YouTube, somehow free to select what he wants. Even I also watch some selected Taiwan TV content via YouTube.

3. Ninmedia is Indonesia free satellite TV platform, why doesn't he try to install that? (Maybe illegal?)

He may not feel enough when TV3 airs Indonesia dramas... Last year, while NTV7 went rebranding as Modern Malaysia TV channel where carries modern Malay content majority (but the rebranding went busted on December 2019), he always expected ntv7 will air Sinetron dramas here and there which are not complying to local broadcast license at all. In addition, Bernama also collaborated with Indonesia TV station to launch few Indonesia documentary program on Bernama News Channel (he may not be interesting at all).

Wanna watch Indonesia TV channel for free without installing Ninmedia? Just stay in Southern Johor or Western Johor to receive Indonesia TV from Batam and Bengkalis with high antenna.

Coincidentally MYTV launches Asiasat-9 DTH (direct-to-home) service to cover blind spot areas where they're not covered by DTT. If he wants Indonesia channels to be on MYTV, I may agree with him, but those channels shall be classified as "pay channels" where only air on DTH via satellite. We must pay if want to watch foreign channels.

Make sense if his favorite Indonesia channels are on MYTV satellite pay channels, but he needs to buy DVB-S2 + DVB-T2 combo decoder and MYTV satellite dish, those channels won't be accessed via DTT. Besides that, by launching Indonesian channels on MYTV pay satellite TV platform, I may believe this can compete with Astro.

I suggest those foreign channels to broadcast on MYTV DTH because MYTV and foreign channels can get the fund from subscribers, so they don't need to recall many advertisers like terrestrial TV, somehow those channels doesn't need to pay high costs of terrestrial transmission fees because they just pay for satellite transmission fees only to serve whole Malaysia.

Announcement: Malaysia is going to implement analog switch off of television transmission

Following by Gunung Raya Langkawi is the first location to close down analogue television transmission on 21st July 2019 which is first ever record that Malaysia close down the analogue TV transmitter, now Malaysia is going to fully implement ASO (Analogue Switch Off) for whole nation from August till October 2019. 

Here are the phases:

1. Perak, Central and Southern region
- States: Perak, Selangor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Johor and Kuala Lumpur
- Date: 19th August 2019

2. Northern region
- States: Kedah, Penang and Perlis
- Date: 2nd September 2019

3. East coast region
- States: Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan
- Date: 17th September 2019

4. East Malaysia/Borneo region
- State: Sabah, Labuan and Sarawak
- Date: 30th September 2019

MYTV myFreeview is available through DTH (direct to home) via satellite for those areas where are not covered by current MYTV DTT transmitter sites. Example: if Gunung Telapak Burok analogue transmitter is switch off, the viewers under Gunung Telapak Burok coverage still can access MYTV channels via DTH, but it is perfect if Gunung Telapak Burok DTT transmission commissioning is completed.

In my opinion, I may suggest the broadcasters may export their analogue TV transmitters and analogue TV hardware to third world countries if they want to cover back the money revenue, rather than simply disposing the transmitters. Selling used analogue TV transmitters to third world countries may help the broadcasters there from paying high costs equipment. 

During ASO implementation, please ensure yourself that you have either IPTV or TV with MYTV set-top-box in order to continue watching terrestrial TV.

The best mobile data plan if listen to Internet radio stations in Malaysia

Technology gets advanced nowadays, most of radio stations are available via online and mobile app streaming. People can listen to their favorite radio stations from different countries/region around the world, but mobile data consumption always becomes their concern when they use it because Internet data is easily finished when they listen to online radio stations frequently.

If you listen to online radio station via Internet, regardless a computer, or smartphone, Internet data plan is very important when you listen to online radio station most of the time over FM radio. It is good if certain radio stations work with some Telco companies to whitelist their mobile apps, so that no data charges are applied when using the app. 

For frequently listening to online radio stations in Malaysia, it is highly recommended to subscribe postpaid mobile plan with unlimited data quota package. To subscribe valuable, reasonable price and stable internet plan, I would recommend two Internet data plan, namely:

1. DiGi Postpaid 100 Infinite

- Best DiGi mobile data plan ever!

- Stable Internet connectivity

- Only pay RM100 per month

- Unlimited data, SMS and calls

- If you want get superb speed, DiGi Postpaid 150 Infinite is recommended.

I subscribe DiGi Postpaid 100 Infinite, I can use Internet without concerning data quota, I can listen to online radio stations mobile apps, watching YouTube etc in unlimited situation. Even I also use DiGi Postpaid 100 Infinite at home as home broadband nicely and happily after I terminated the lousy discontinued TM Streamyx 60 (which ran 384kbps speed, although no quota limit).

2. TM UniFi Mobile 99

- Another nice mobile data plan ever

- RM 99 per month

- Unlimited data, calls and SMS

In conclusion, DiGi Postpaid 100 Infinite and TM UniFi Mobile 99 are the best recommended Internet data plan in Malaysia if you want to listen to foreign radio stations via online within Malaysia. Example: Listen to BBC Radio2 from UK in Malaysia via TuneIn app.

My recommend list of Australian radio stations in Brisbane and surrounding areas.

Due to business event and trainings in Australia, I went to Brisbane for 2 weeks. In Brisbane, there are many radio stations which provide me many choices. Hereby I would like to give some recommended Brisbane radio stations.

1. Moreton Bay Radio FM 101.5MHz

- 101.5FM is a community radio station, which based in Moreton Bay. It is transmitted from Caboolture Local Council Buildings. I highly recommend this radio station because it plays more variety of music, which is far away better than Malaysia based Mix FM (in terms of music selection and repetitive). For your information, 101.5FM covers Moreton Bay, Caboolture, Bald Knob, Sunshine Coast and North Brisbane. From my listening experience, 101.5FM is receivable in North Brisbane, but reception goes worse when enter Brisbane City, meanwhile 101.5FM started suffering co-channel interference when enters Logan City (where is Southern Brisbane, on the way going to Gold Coast). 101.5FM plays more music from 1970s till now, even it has specialized music programme on weekend. If you travel from Brisbane to Sunshine Coast frequently, 101.5FM is the best choice.

2. River FM 94.9MHz

- A radio station based in Ipswich, known as River FM 94.9MHz. This radio station is also almost same music content with Moreton Bay 101.5FM, the difference are just only the service area, and music selection. River FM 94.9MHz plays music from late 1980s till today, another recommended radio station in Brisbane after 101.5FM. In addition, River FM 94.9MHz is transmitted from Ipswich, but due to high effective radiated power, this radio station can be heard in many areas outside Ipswich such as Gold Coast, Toowoomba, Beaudesert, Logan, Harbour Town, Springwood, Caboolture and Brisbane. Due to the coverage, River 94.9FM gains more advertising revenue. If you travel from Brisbane to Gold Coast frequently, but wants more variety music in the car, River 94.9FM is the best choice.  

3. The Breeze

- If you want to listening to nostalgic, easy listening and relaxing music, as well something "light and easy", but don't want mix with hot contemporary music. The Breeze maybe suitable to your listening taste, this radio station plays the songs from 1960s till 1990s, but it also features some latest and 2000s easy listening music. Although The Breeze is based in Gold Coast region on FM 100.6MHz from Mount Tamborine, but you still can listen to The Breeze via Logan/Beaudesert frequency on FM 92.1MHz which transmitted from Mount Dunsinane. Because The Breeze FM 92.1MHz is not transmitted in Brisbane (Mount Coot-Tha), so the reception of The Breeze FM 92.1MHz may not be clear in Brisbane, especially when you listen in the city. In my opinion, due to its music selection by emphasizing classic hits and easy listening, The Breeze is better than Malaysia based Lite FM because Lite FM repeats same music over again, somewhat Lite FM plays new songs where already exists on its sister radio stations Mix and Hitz.

4. Rebel FM

  

- If you want to listen to "The Rock", Rebel FM can become your choice. Rebel FM is sister radio station to The Breeze. Same as The Breeze, it is based in Gold Coast on FM 99.4MHz from Mount Tamborine. If you want to listen to Rebel FM in Brisbane, you still can tune to FM 90.5MHz from Mount Dunsinane where covers Beaudesert and Logan, but reception may not be clear enough. Rebel FM is likely the competitor of Triple M 104.5.

5. ABC Classic FM

- For people who like classical, opera and symphony, ABC Classic FM is the recommended stations. In Brisbane, its frequency is on FM 106.1MHz from Mount Coot-Tha. Meanwhile in Malaysia, Astro Radio has Opus, but it is only available on Syok app, and Astro DVR player.

6. 4ZZZ FM 102.1MHz

 

- Brisbane version of Malaysia BFM 89.9.

- If you want to listen something serious such as current affairs, politic and other talks, but you want a radio station other than ABC News Radio AM936kHz and ABC Brisbane AM612kHz, 4ZZZ FM 102.1MHz is the choice. This radio station is transmitted from Mount Coot-Tha, it does not only serve Brisbane metropolitan areas, but 4ZZZ 102.1FM also can be received in Gold Coast, Logan, Beaudesert, Ipswich, Moreton Bay and part of Sunshine Coast/Toowoomba.

Other than these six recommended Brisbane radio stations that I list out, there are some radio stations that I would like to introduce.

- If you're not English speaking listeners, but you want listening to expat radio stations, 4EB FM 98.1MHz and SBS Radio FM 93.3MHz are the recommended radio stations.

- For Chinese community wants to listen to Brisbane Chinese radio station, you need radio receiver with AM band from 531kHz to 1710kHz, so you will be able to tune to VAC Radio on 1656kHz.

 - If you want to listen something hot, I would recommend Nova FM 106.9, ABC Triple J FM 107.7MHz, 97.3FM, Hit 105.3.

In conclusion, if I choose to compare Brisbane radio stations with Malaysia music radio stations, seriously Brisbane radio stations (regardless outbound areas of Brisbane or within Brisbane), the content of Brisbane radio stations such as 101.5FM, River 94.9FM, The Breeze are far way better than Malaysia based radio stations such as Mix, Lite, Hitz and Fly FM.

The term "MIX" means different things are gathered in one place, it is also making something variety, Malaysia based radio station Mix FM seems unbalanced nowadays, it gradually phased out most of 1980s and 1990s hot pop music (but most of 1990s pop are not available on Lite FM), but Mix FM plays more music which are stick to Hitz FM or something like Triple J or Hit 105.3. Seriously 101.5FM and River 94.9FM have better "MIX" than Malaysia based Mix FM, in terms of the term "MIX".

Although I don't really listen to hot radio stations such as Triple J, Hit 105.3 and Nova 106.9, but three of them are better than Malaysia based Hitz and Fly FM, in terms of music selection and content. 

When I'm in Brisbane, I usually listen to 101.5FM Moreton Bay radio station because its music selection is ultra variety, meanwhile River 94.9FM Ipswich radio station reminds me Malaysia defunct Red FM 104.9MHz, back to 2009 till 2011, Red FM 104.9MHz was also same as River 94.9FM by playing variety music from different decades, both of them are mix music station.  

Fortunately, if you would like to listen to these recommended radio stations outside of Brisbane, even Australia, you can listen to them via TuneIn app or online streaming. The technology is advance nowadays, you can listen to internet radio station in the car by connecting AUX (most basic technology), Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto (most advanced technology).