Quick Answer: Maxis vs CelcomDigi
Maxis has Malaysia’s best 5G mobile network with 85-90% Klang Valley coverage and typical speeds of 200-500 Mbps. Unlimited 5G starts at RM109/month. Premium brand targeting urban professionals and travelers.
CelcomDigi is Malaysia’s largest mobile operator with 20.3 million subscribers after the 2022 Celcom-Digi merger. Widest 4G coverage (98% population) and value-oriented unlimited plans from RM120/month.
Quick verdict: Maxis for best 5G quality. CelcomDigi for widest coverage and rural reach.
Side-by-Side Comparison
This table compares Maxis and CelcomDigi across mobile plans, speeds, coverage, and home broadband options.
| Feature | Maxis | CelcomDigi |
|---|---|---|
| Subscribers | 10-12M | 20.3M (largest in Malaysia) |
| Founded | 2009 (listed) / 1986 (origins) | 2022 (merger) |
| Ownership | Ananda Krishnan | Axiata + Telenor (33.1% each) |
| 5G Coverage (KL) | 85-90% | 80% |
| 4G Coverage | 95% population | 98% population (best) |
| 5G Typical Speed | 200-500 Mbps | 150-400 Mbps |
| Unlimited Plan | RM109/month | RM120/month |
| Entry Postpaid | RM79 (300GB) | RM45 (device contract) |
| 5G Home WiFi | RM99-139/month | Part of ONE bundles |
| Fibre Coverage | Less than 5% KL | Less than 5% KL |
| Converged Bundle | Postpaid + Fibre (limited) | ONE 2026 (RM240-300) |
| Prepaid Brand | Hotlink | Legacy Celcom/Digi prepaid |
| Support Hotline | 123 (10 min avg) | Varies (integration ongoing) |
| Family Share Lines | 2 lines on RM139 plan | Supplementary on RM80+ |
Test Your Maxis Speed | Test Your CelcomDigi Speed
Speed Comparison
Mobile 5G Speed
Maxis and CelcomDigi both operate on the shared DNB (Digital Nasional Berhad) 5G infrastructure. However, each provider’s network optimization, backhaul, and tower density create speed differences.
| Area | Maxis 5G | CelcomDigi 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Klang Valley | 200-500 Mbps | 150-400 Mbps |
| Penang | 150-400 Mbps | 120-350 Mbps |
| Johor Bahru | 150-400 Mbps | 120-350 Mbps |
| East Coast | 100-300 Mbps (limited) | 100-300 Mbps (limited) |
| East Malaysia | 100-250 Mbps (limited) | 100-250 Mbps (limited) |
Maxis is 10-20% faster on 5G in urban areas. The gap narrows in regional cities and disappears in rural areas where both rely on the same 4G infrastructure.
Mobile 4G Speed
| Metric | Maxis 4G | CelcomDigi 4G |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Download | 30-80 Mbps | 25-70 Mbps |
| Typical Upload | 10-25 Mbps | 10-20 Mbps |
| Coverage | 95% population | 98% population |
CelcomDigi’s wider 4G coverage comes from combining Celcom and Digi tower networks. Maxis has slightly faster 4G in urban areas. CelcomDigi has better reach in rural and East Malaysia.
5G Home WiFi Speed
| Metric | Maxis 5G Home WiFi | CelcomDigi ONE (Fibre) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | RM99 (100 Mbps cap) | ONE Pro RM240 (500 Mbps fibre + mobile) |
| Premium | RM139 (uncapped, 150-500 Mbps) | ONE Ultra RM300 (1 Gbps fibre + mobile) |
| Data | Unlimited + 30GB 4G backup | Unlimited |
Maxis 5G Home WiFi is a standalone wireless product. CelcomDigi ONE bundles fibre broadband with mobile lines.
Run Speed Test Now to check your actual connection speed.
Coverage Comparison
Mobile Network Coverage
| Coverage Type | Maxis | CelcomDigi |
|---|---|---|
| 5G (Klang Valley) | 85-90% outdoor | 80% outdoor |
| 5G (Penang/JB) | 70-80% | 65-75% |
| 5G (East Coast) | 30-50% | 30-50% |
| 5G (East Malaysia) | 30-50% | 30-50% |
| 4G Nationwide | 95% population | 98% population |
| Indoor 5G | 70-75% Klang Valley | 50-60% Klang Valley |
Maxis wins on 5G density and indoor coverage in Klang Valley. CelcomDigi wins on 4G nationwide reach, especially rural and East Malaysia where Celcom legacy towers provide coverage Maxis does not match.
Fibre Coverage
Neither provider has significant fibre presence. Both serve fewer than 5% of Klang Valley with fibre.
| Provider | Fibre Coverage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maxis | Fewer than 100K premises | Premium KL condos only |
| CelcomDigi | Fewer than 100K premises | ONE bundle condos only |
| Unifi (reference) | 3.5M premises nationwide | Market leader |
| TIME (reference) | 1.2M units (condos) | Urban specialist |
For home fibre, use Unifi or TIME. Neither Maxis nor CelcomDigi competes on fibre coverage.
Pricing Comparison
All prices in Malaysian Ringgit (RM).
Mobile Postpaid Plans
| Plan | Maxis | CelcomDigi |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | RM79 (300GB) | RM45 (device contract) |
| Mid | RM109 (unlimited) | RM80 (supplementary lines) |
| Unlimited | RM109/month | RM120/month |
| Premium | RM139 (2 share lines, sooka) | RM190 (premium entertainment) |
Maxis is RM11/month cheaper for unlimited 5G data (RM109 vs RM120). CelcomDigi has a lower entry point at RM45 with device contract.
Prepaid Plans
| Plan | Maxis (Hotlink) | CelcomDigi Prepaid |
|---|---|---|
| 5G Prepaid | From RM30-60/month | From RM35/month |
| Data | Variable | 5G uncapped speeds |
CelcomDigi offers the cheapest 5G prepaid access in Malaysia at RM35/month.
Converged Bundles
| Bundle | Maxis | CelcomDigi |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre + Mobile | RM298+ (limited availability) | ONE Pro RM240 (500 Mbps + unlimited mobile) |
| Fibre + Mobile | N/A | ONE Ultra RM300 (1 Gbps + mobile + Disney+) |
CelcomDigi ONE bundles provide better value than separate subscriptions. Maxis converged bundles require fibre availability (very limited).
Pros and Cons
Maxis Advantages
- Best 5G network in Malaysia (200-500 Mbps Klang Valley)
- Superior indoor 5G penetration (70-75% vs 50-60%)
- RM109 unlimited is cheaper than CelcomDigi RM120
- Premium customer service (10-minute average hold, 123 hotline)
- Family share lines on RM139 plan (2 included)
- Strong international roaming partnerships
- Maxis app with good data tracking and speed test tools
Maxis Disadvantages
- Smaller subscriber base (10-12M vs 20.3M)
- 4G coverage 95% vs CelcomDigi 98% (weaker rural)
- Fibre covers less than 5% of Klang Valley
- RM79 entry plan capped at 300GB (RM10/GB overages)
- No meaningful converged bundles for most addresses
- Hotlink prepaid users deprioritized on same network
CelcomDigi Advantages
- Malaysia’s widest 4G coverage (98% population)
- 20.3 million subscribers (largest mobile base)
- ONE 2026 converged bundles (fibre + mobile from RM240)
- Best East Malaysia coverage (Celcom legacy towers)
- Cheapest 5G prepaid at RM35/month
- Disney+ included on premium bundles
- Enterprise scale from combined Celcom + Digi infrastructure
CelcomDigi Disadvantages
- 5G speeds 10-20% slower than Maxis in urban areas
- Network integration from 2022 merger still ongoing in 2026
- Brand confusion between legacy Celcom and Digi identities
- RM120 unlimited is RM11 more than Maxis RM109
- Customer service centers merging (longer queues at some locations)
- Fibre coverage minimal (less than 5% Klang Valley)
- Indoor 5G coverage weaker than Maxis (50-60% vs 70-75%)
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Maxis If:
- You live in Klang Valley, Penang, or JB and want the best 5G speeds
- You are an urban professional who values network quality
- You travel internationally and need roaming partnerships
- You want the cheapest unlimited plan (RM109)
- You need family share lines (2 included on RM139)
- You prefer premium customer service with shorter hold times
Choose CelcomDigi If:
- You travel nationwide including rural and East Malaysia
- You need the widest possible 4G coverage (98%)
- You want a converged fibre + mobile bundle (ONE 2026)
- You are budget-focused (RM35 prepaid 5G, RM45 entry postpaid)
- You live in East Malaysia (Sabah, Sarawak, Labuan)
- You want Disney+ included in your bundle
Use Case Recommendations
This table maps common scenarios to the better mobile provider.
| Use Case | Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Urban professional | Maxis | Best 5G in KL/Penang/JB |
| Budget user | CelcomDigi | RM35 prepaid 5G entry |
| Family plan | Maxis | 2 share lines on RM139 |
| East Malaysia | CelcomDigi | 95%+ 4G coverage Sabah/Sarawak |
| Nationwide travel | CelcomDigi | 98% 4G coverage |
| International travel | Maxis | Better roaming partnerships |
| Bundle seeker | CelcomDigi | ONE 2026 fibre + mobile |
| Gamer (mobile) | Maxis | Better 5G indoor coverage |
| Home broadband | Neither | Use Unifi or TIME fibre |
How to Run a Fair Speed Test
Both Maxis and CelcomDigi are mobile networks. Signal strength and tower proximity affect results.
Quick test steps:
- Stand near a window with clear view of the sky.
- Ensure your phone shows 5G signal (not 4G).
- Close all background apps and streaming.
- Run 3 tests during off-peak and 3 during peak hours (12-2pm, 6-9pm).
- Record location, signal bars, and connection type (5G/4G).
Run Speed Test Now - Free M-Lab NDT7 test, takes 30 seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has better 5G, Maxis or CelcomDigi?
Maxis has faster 5G speeds (200-500 Mbps vs 150-400 Mbps) and wider 5G coverage in Klang Valley (85-90% vs 80%). Maxis also leads on indoor 5G penetration (70-75% vs 50-60%). CelcomDigi’s advantage is wider overall reach from combining Celcom and Digi towers. For best 5G in cities, choose Maxis. For widest overall mobile coverage, choose CelcomDigi.
Is CelcomDigi still merging networks?
The Celcom-Digi merger completed in November 2022 with rebranding in February 2023. Network integration continues through 2026. Some areas still have separate Celcom and Digi tower infrastructure being consolidated. This integration can cause temporary capacity issues in select areas but is expected to improve long-term performance as redundant towers are optimized.
Which is better for home broadband?
Neither. Both Maxis and CelcomDigi have minimal fibre coverage (less than 5% of Klang Valley each). For home broadband, use Unifi fibre (3.5 million premises nationwide) or TIME Internet (1.2 million condo units). Keep Maxis or CelcomDigi for mobile. This separate-provider setup is standard in Malaysia.
Can I port my number between Maxis and CelcomDigi?
Yes. Mobile Number Portability (MNP) in Malaysia allows you to switch providers while keeping your phone number. Visit the new provider’s store or website to request porting. The process takes 1-3 business days. No fee for MNP. Check if your current contract has early termination penalties before switching.
Which provider handles congestion better?
Maxis has fewer subscribers on its network (10-12 million vs 20.3 million), resulting in less congestion during peak hours. CelcomDigi’s larger subscriber base creates more load, especially at transit hubs and shopping malls. Maxis also gives QoS priority to postpaid users over Hotlink prepaid during congestion. For consistent speeds in crowded areas, Maxis performs better.
Summary
Maxis and CelcomDigi are Malaysia’s two main mobile operators, competing on 5G quality, coverage, and pricing. Both have minimal fibre presence.
Maxis leads on 5G performance with 200-500 Mbps in Klang Valley, better indoor penetration, and cheaper unlimited plans at RM109/month. Maxis targets urban professionals and families who value network quality and service.
CelcomDigi leads on reach with 20.3 million subscribers and 98% 4G population coverage. The Celcom-Digi merger created Malaysia’s widest mobile network, especially strong in rural areas and East Malaysia. CelcomDigi ONE bundles offer converged fibre + mobile from RM240/month for users who want a single provider.
For home broadband, both providers should be paired with Unifi or TIME fibre rather than used as primary home internet solutions.
Last Updated: February 12, 2026 Data Sources: Maxis.com.my, CelcomDigi.com, MCMC Malaysia, Bursa Malaysia filings