Emporium Blog

The Unifi website is down the whole morning. It shows an error page whenever I click the “apply now” link. I am only able to access it in the afternoon, after office hours. It is pretty straight forward, until some parts where it gets very confusing. Outlined below are the step by step guide (sort of) on how to apply Unifi broadband online.

The reward for my effort for applying online (For a limited time only):

1. Free installation charges.
2. Free equipments.
3. Free one month subscription.

Bulls, I only get the free one month subscription for applying online. The others are given free anyway, no matter how I apply. “For a limited time only” is also an ongoing sweetener. It has been like that for as long as I can remember. Better than nothing, I supposed.

Here’s the guide:

Go to Unifi’s website. Click “Apply Now” on the top right corner.

 

Choose my package. Choice of VIP20, VIP10 or VIP5. I chose VIP5 mainly because it is the cheapest entry level package. I can upgrade later if I need to. There is a 24 months contract for all packages. I will have to pay a penalty of RM500.00 if I decide to terminate the plan/contract early. Not a bad deal, if I get to keep all the free equipment that is.

 

This is the crucial part. It checks whether there is Unifi coverage/service at my place or not. If yes, I may proceed. If not, it is the end of the road.

Existing Streamyx or TM fixed line customers go left, others go right. Don’t worry, no matter which side you choose, you will get to the same page eventually. Existing cust0mers need only to enter their NRIC numbers.

I am constantly reminded of the application progress by the progress bar above the page.

As I am using streamyx now, I am an existing customer, yes? So I happily entered my NRIC number in the form. Guess what, it says my area is not covered !@#$^##.  How can! Your agent outside on the streets say my area is covered and serviceable.

Fine, I started over and went to the right, supposedly for new customers.

 

I entered my street name and searched. This time it says my place is serviceable, hah! Not funny. It list down all the houses in my street. I clicked my house number and clicked “select”.

 

Click next.

 

 

This is the page where everyone comes to, existing or new customers alike. Existing customers will have the privilege of the first few fields entered automatically. Note contact method. I am given a choice of email/mobile/sms. I later find out that no matter what method I chose, they will still call me on your mobile.

Tips: Be prepared the next day for an early morning call on the mobile.

After you complete the form, click next.

 

This is the part I liked best. Choose my own telephone number! My existing number will be terminated because Unifi utilises voip.

If I wanted to keep my existing number, I will have to pay the regular monthly telephone rental on top of the Unifi fees.

Tips: I can get a fresh set of numbers to choose from by hitting the “refresh” or F5 button on my keyboard.

I refreshed too many times and got disconnected from the server and have to start over. The trick is to refresh a few times, back 2 pages, and start over again. I refreshed to my hearts content until I get the number I like and click on “Reserve”.

Then I entered my desired username and password and click on “Reserve” too. This part really takes a long time. It was like 3 minutes or so in my case. So don’t worry when your computer shows no activity for a while.

Almost done now, so I thought. Click next.

 

I am stuck at this page for almost one hour. Everytime I select a date and click “Search for Available Slot”, an error message pops up in red “unable to connect to server, please try later.”  !@#!^!

What?! What do you mean?! After I chose my favourite telephone number (after refreshing the list for half an hour or so) you say I am not connected to the server and have to try again later? You must be joking.

I back up a couple of pages, start over,  cannot. Start from the begining, cannot.

/exaggerate mode on
Clear my browser cache, cannot. Rebooted my computer, cannot. Upgrade to Firefox 6.0, cannot. Changed a new computer, cannot. I pulled out all of my hairs, also cannot.
/exaggerate mode off

Only when I select a date as far as next year will some available slot appears, like in the picture. The error message comes on when there is no slot. Stupid me, or rather them.

Tips: No matter what date you select for installation here, it is not a confirmed date. They will call you on your mobile the next day morning to reconfirm. Ask them whether there is another date and you can change to whatever date that is available.

So select the available slot or in this case, whatever available slot there is. Click “Book Time slot”.

Then I review all my information and click submit.

Tips: No need to print out anything. A copy will be emailed to you. They will call to confirm anyway.

Conclusion:
This online application is just a way to save them time to enter all the details and particulars. They will call to confirm with me the date, telephone number selected, blah blah blah anyway. Well, like I always say, better than nothing. At least I don’t have to give a copy of my NRIC to a stranger by the roadside who claims to be an Unifi agent.

They called this morning. My Unifi installation is booked on next week. Hell Yeah!