BeONE Mobile has officially launched in Malaysia as a “homegrown” mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), offering prepaid mobile services backed by Maxis’ cellular network. The launch was officiated by Communications Minister YB Dato’ Seri Fahmi Fadzil.
BeONE Mobile Wants To Put Community First
The operator positions itself around a “community-based approach,” where customers are served by local agents (not AI agents, just to be clear) from within their own communities; these agents are expected to handle duties such as registration, network switching, issue resolution, and ongoing customer support beyond the point of sale.
BeONE Mobile offers flexible prepaid plans with 5G access on the Maxis network – rather than relying on physical stores, the operator distributes its services through a network of trained local agents who are equipped with digital tools to run their own micro-businesses. The company says it will initially focus on B40 households, youth, gig workers, and small traders as the communities most likely to benefit from affordable connectivity and supplementary income opportunities.
The telco operator will provide training and digital tools for its agents – who do not require a shopfront or significant capital to start – with the stated intention that “digital skills they build belong to them, whatever they do next.”
Alongside the launch, BeONE Mobile introduced two inaugural programs: The BeONE Entrepreneurship Programme for the E-Hailing Community offers e-hailing drivers the opportunity to become BeONE Mobile agents, receiving training and digital tools to introduce BeONE products and services to their networks while continuing their primary occupation.
The second initiative, the Community SIM Initiative, is kicking off in Lembah Pantai. Local residents can obtain a BeONE Community SIM that includes additional data to support digital access, with the aim of broadening access to online services and communication within the community.
BeONE’s mobile service uses a Universal SIM that supports both new sign-ups and number porting (MNP); customers can choose their own phone number and easily manage their plans, reloads, and account details through the BeONE Mobile app. Service sign-ups and SIM cards are available nationwide through BeONE agents as well as online via Shopee, TikTok Shop, and Lazada.
Below are the plans available from the new MVNO:
| Plan | Period | Data allowance | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily | Daily | 3GB | Daily prepaid option |
| Weekly | Weekly | 15GB | Weekly prepaid option |
| M25 | Monthly | 150GB | For number porting (MNP) |
| M30 | Monthly | 150GB | Monthly prepaid option |
| M38 | Monthly | 300GB for New Number 350GB for MNP | Higher data allowance for number porting |
| M48 | Monthly | 450GB for New Number 550GB for MNP | Higher data allowance for number porting |
| 365-day validity | 365 days | — | RM38 per year |
Pokdepinion: Pretty ingenious as far as market plans go, I must say.
