Case Study: Right-Sizing Dedicated Internet Access / Metro-E for a Multi-Office Law Firm in Malaysia
Client Profile
A well-established Malaysian law firm operates across multiple strategic locations to support litigation, corporate advisory, and regulatory matters nationwide:
- Headquarters – Kuala Lumpur
Approximately 180–200 firm members - Branch Office – Penang
Approximately 5-10 firm members - Branch Office – Johor Bahru
Approximately 10-15 firm members
The firm relies heavily on cloud-based legal platforms, secure document management systems, video conferencing, and online court hearings, making internet stability and security critical to daily operations.
Business Objectives
The firm identified three primary objectives when reviewing its internet infrastructure:
- Faster and more consistent internet performance to support cloud adoption
- Secure connectivity between on-premise systems and cloud environments
- Stable, uninterrupted connections for online hearings, virtual meetings, and client communications
Initial Consideration: High-Speed Broadband (2 Gbps)
Although a 2 Gbps broadband service appeared attractive based on headline speed, further evaluation revealed limitations for a professional legal environment:
- Broadband bandwidth is shared (contended)
- Performance fluctuates during peak business hours
- Upload speeds are not guaranteed or symmetrical
- No contractual SLA for uptime or fault resolution
For a headquarters supporting nearly 200 users, these factors posed unacceptable operational risks—particularly during court hearings and critical client meetings.
The Solution: Wired Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) / Metor-E
The firm implemented Wired Dedicated Internet Access (Fiber) as the primary connectivity for all offices.
Why Wired DIA Was Selected
- Dedicated bandwidth with no contention
- Guaranteed symmetrical speeds
- Stable latency and low jitter for real-time applications
- Enterprise-grade SLA with defined uptime and restoration targets
- Strong foundation for VPN, firewall, and secure cloud connectivity
Wireless connectivity was not selected as a primary solution, and is considered only where fiber is unavailable or strictly as a backup.
Recommended DIA Bandwidth & Estimated Pricing (Wired DIA Only)
To balance performance and cost, the firm adopted a right-sized bandwidth strategy based on realistic usage patterns.
Headquarters – Kuala Lumpur
Recommended Bandwidth: 400 Mbps/500 Mbpss Wired DIA
Why 400 Mbps
- Suitable for ~200 users with 30–50% peak concurrency
- Supports:
- Multiple simultaneous online hearings
- Cloud-based legal platforms
- Video conferencing and secure file transfers
- Provides sufficient headroom without over-provisioning
Estimated Wired DIA Price (Klang Valley)
(Based on prevailing market ranges; actual pricing varies by provider and SLA)
| Bandwidth | Contract Term | Estimated Monthly Range |
|---|---|---|
| 300 Mbps | 36 months | RM7,250 – RM12,500 |
| 400 Mbps | 24–36 months | RM7,750 – RM15,500 |
| 500 Mbps | 36 months | RM8,625 – RM22,500 |
➡ 400 Mbps offers the best balance between cost control and operational stability for the firm’s HQ.
Branch Offices – Recommended Bandwidth & Estimated Pricing
| Location | Users | Wired DIA | Estimated Monthly Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penang | ~10 | 50–100 Mbps | RM3,375 – RM7,625 |
| Johor Bahru | ~15 | 200 Mbps | RM6,125 – RM11,250 |
| Others | ~10 | 100–200 Mbps | RM4,375 – RM11,250 |
Pricing reflects typical 36-month wired DIA contracts in Malaysia.
Results & Benefits
Stable Online Hearings & Meetings
- Consistent audio and video quality
- No peak-hour performance degradation
- Reduced risk of disruptions during court proceedings
Improved Cloud Performance
- Faster document uploads and synchronization
- Predictable access to cloud-based legal platforms
- Improved user experience across all offices
Enhanced Security & Control
- Dedicated connectivity supports encrypted VPN tunnels
- Improved traffic control and firewall policy enforcement
- Reduced exposure compared to shared broadband infrastructure
Operational Reliability
- SLA-backed uptime and faster fault resolution
- Lower IT support overhead
- Reduced productivity loss caused by network instability
Dedicated Internet Access vs High-Speed Broadband
| Criteria | 2 Gbps Broadband | 400 Mbps DIA |
|---|---|---|
| Bandwidth Model | Shared | Dedicated |
| Speed Consistency | Variable | Guaranteed |
| Upload Performance | Best-effort | Symmetrical |
| Peak-Hour Stability | Degrades | Stable |
| SLA | Limited / None | Contractual |
| Suitability for Online Hearings | High Risk | Purpose-Built |
Key Insight:
For legal and professional services, predictable performance and stability outweigh headline bandwidth numbers.
Conclusion
For a multi-office law firm with nearly 200 users, 400 Mbps Wired Dedicated Internet Access provides a reliable, secure, and cost-efficient foundation for cloud adoption and real-time legal operations.
By choosing DIA over high-speed broadband, the firm ensured:
- Uninterrupted online hearings
- Secure on-premise to cloud connectivity
- Reduced operational risk and improved productivity
This right-sized approach supports both current needs and future digital growth.