Why Malaysians need WiMAX

Wow, everyone is taking about WiMAX…The blogs, the prints, the magazine(coming issue)….Everywhere…..so what the fuss is it all about?

WHAT IS WiMAX?

WiMAX stands for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access. WiMAX can deliver last mile wireless broadband services in our country. In other words, it can replace streamyx and even the fixed line service itself!!!

WiMAX can deliver high speed Internet services up to 72Mbps over 70km. With just a few WiMAX base station, the whole KL can be covered easily.

The 802.16d is a standard for fixed wireless connectivity(from a base station to a subscriber station where you need a receiver on top of your house) which can offer the non-line-of sight service.

The 802.16e standard is made for Mobile WiMAX. This standard offers high speed Internet to a user’s mobile phone. Mobile WiMAX is not comparable to 3G(384kbps) and also 3.5G(up to 7.2Mbps).

WiMAX Market Highlights

• The worldwide WiMAX equipment market is forecast to increase more than 10-fold between 2006 and 2010, when it will reach almost $5.6 billion
• Mobile WiMAX is forecast to grow to $3.7 billion in 2010, a 5-year CAGR of 201%

• In 4Q06, Alvarion leads in fixed WiMAX equipment revenue share, followed by Redline and Airspan

• Tropos leads in outdoor mesh equipment revenue in 4Q06, followed by Strix and BelAir

Why Malaysians need WiMAX?

NasionCom is currently deploying WiMAX service in Kl since last year. Why? WiMAX is far much better than 3G. Currently, 3G is a failure in Malaysia and there is no question about it. Imagine you are moving in a car while you are watching your favourite show on your notebook or mobile phone(no buffering at all) which supposedly you will be watching it at home(and you are rushing to a meeting now). That’s technology.

Our current national broadband provider has put us 10 years behind countries like South Korea and Singapore. What is taking us so long? Why is there a term “best effort“? and not a promising effort? Why charge us then limit us on the service we use? WHY?

With WiMAX coming in, it does not only gives the Malaysians a new, better technology but also a new hope that things will change as the new WiMAX licenses did not fall on the broadband failures.

Internet is the future. I believe the computer will be replaced by mobile phone someday(its already being replaced now!!), soon everyone in malaysia can say that they have a real so called broadband service at home. In U.S , broadband must have a minimum speed of 200kbps which I believe even this speed cannot be achieved on our main Internet Service Provider’s network, not even half of a day.

WiMAX can offer cheap (even free) voice call where VoIP is also possible(better quality than current fixed line service). With WiMAX, you can even have Video Call service on your WiMAX fixed line telephone. WiMAX is also more secured than WiFi where you can do a transaction on your account(while you are not in front of a computer) or even pay your bills while waiting for your bus!

Dear Malaysian, WiMAX does not only comes with a new technology of broadband service, but also a true broadband service which we should have enjoyed it years ago.

DiGi: We will take the challenge

DiGi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd which is suppose to get a 3G license almost one year ago is now denied the WiMAX license too. DiGi which has been “very successful” in offering Mobile Telecommunication services in the Malaysian market, lost to four small companies.

DiGi is proven to be better on every aspect point of view if they are to be compared to the current WiMAX winners. DiGi is also proven innovative in offering the best mobile services through the country.

As at 14 February 2007, DiGi posted a strong result which recorded an after-tax profit of RM806 million which is up 71% from the previous year. It is also said around the end of last year that DiGi has RM1.13 billion in cash.

DiGi, the smallest, strongest, one of the most profitable and the only foreign mobile operator ,majority owned Telenor. DiGi could be denied, both 3G and WiMAX license just because it is a majority foreign controlled mobile operator.

DiGi is quoted below as in Bernama after they were denied a WiMAX license yesterday:

“We will continue to pursue our strategy to give our customers a continually richer communications experience” DiGi’s chief executive officer Morten Lundal said in a statement.

Lundal said DiGi respected the government’s decision but regretted the loss of opportunity to use of the company’s resources and skills which could benefit all consumers, enabling Malaysia to be a reference country for successful mobile broadband development.

“We remain committed as always in our support of the government’s telecommunication objectives,” he said.

“We stand ready with practical and realistic solutions to quickly enable high-speed connectivity for both urban and rural areas in Malaysia,” he added

DiGi also says that this decision does not impact the company’s core business.

You may also want to read this article titled “Why Digi should be granted a WiMAX license” by Stock Tube.

Please also vote the poll on the right side of this blog to see the Malaysian response on the MCMC decisions.

This is what DiGi will plan(as earlier announced) if they failed to win the WiMAX spectrum.

DiGi could also follow Maxis to run on the 2.5Ghz spectrum.

REDtone: WiMAX a "meaningful role"

REDtone International Bhd via its subsidiary, Redtone-CNX Broadband Sdn Bhd which is one of the four winners of the 2.3Ghz spectrum expects this license to drive and enhance it broadband plans.

REDtone is designated to deploy its WiMAX service in Sabah and Sarawak. All WiMAX winners must cover 25 percent of the population by end of the year and at least 40 percent of coverage on the third year.

Quoted from The Edge Daily:

“We are honoured to be given the opportunity to be the first to offer high speed mobile Internet services to businesses and homes in East Malaysia in addition to enabling the company to further drive its broadband business.”

“Our good track record, experience, capabilities and leading edge in innovation are plus points that will help facilitate our rollout of high speed broadband services in Sabah and Sarawak,” REDtone said.

The company said it would make an announcement soon on “an exciting collaboration” for its nationwide high-speed broadband plans.

ABOUT CNX

CNX Solutions Sdn. Bhd. focuses on the provision of Broadband services to both commercial and residential projects. The company has Broadband-Enabled a number of projects for renowned developers. We believe that in the years to come, Broadband connectivity will be the norms of society rather than a luxury item for the selected few. With this thought in mind, our products are geared towards meeting the consumer’s demands in terms of pricing and quality of service.

ABOUT REDtone

REDtone is the number one discounted call provider by revenue, in Malaysia. It commands a lion’s share of 35% of the local discounted call market which, according to global market advisory firm, IDC (International Data Corp), is worth some RM 143.507 M in year 2005.

Listed on the Malaysian Exchange Of Securities Dealing & Automated Quotations (MESDAQ) market of Bursa Malaysia (formerly The Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange) in January 2004, REDtone has the highest market capitalization amongst companies listed on this technology market as of 11th July 2005.

The Multimedia Super Corridor or MSC-status company has earned a reputation for its in-house research and development (R & D) capabilities and is distinguished by its homegrown technological innovations which have won a string of awards, both in Malaysia and abroad. Presently, it has eight patents pending registration in Malaysia.

REDtone’s line-up of innovative discounted call packages offers consumers and businesses feature-rich (at no additional cost) and good quality phone services as an affordable alternative to traditional phone service.
It has replicated its successful business model in other countries. Currently, its services for both consumers and corporate customers are offered in Pakistan, Indonesia and China.

Green Packet: Klang Valley is ours

Packet One Networks (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd is a subsidiary of Green Packet Bhd says that the WiMAX license presents the company with a rare and valuable opportunity to roll out its wireless communication infrastructure.

They were quoted saying:

“The WiMaX licence with a 2.3Ghz spectrum will complement and enhance the quality of service and throughput of the current SONmetro wireless broadband network deployment underway in Klang Valley on the unlicensed 2.4Hz band”

“Packet One will be the owner and operator of an alternative last-mile wireless broadband network to empower virtual network operators (VNOs) to resell the broadband services”

“Packet One’s network would also be wholesaled out to VNOs to offer broadband services to end users”

“Trials for the SONmetro solution are also being conducted in Bahrain, Singapore, China and Hong Kong. Plans are underway to start trials of SONmetro in Europe”

Green Packet also says that the wireless broadband service will offered at an affordable price.

ABOUT GREEN PACKET

Green Packet is a leading global developer of next generation mobile broadband networking solutions. Green Packet’s mission is to provide a seamless and unified platform for the delivery of user centric multimedia communication and services regardless of the nature and availability of the backbone infrastructure.

The company offers an extensive range of flexible and scalable solutions for carriers, mobile enterprises and mobile workgroups through a technology that is integral and critical to the entire wireless value chain. Already, it counts several major telecommunication operators, original equipment manufacturers and enterprises within its clientele. These include China Telecom Group, Maxis Communications Bhd, Far EasTone Telecommunications Co Ltd, Chunghwa Telecom Co Ltd, Dell, BenQ, NEC, Intel and many others.

Green Packet has replicated its successful business model in other regions. Currently it has offices in USA, China, Taiwan and Malaysia.

Asiaspace: WiMAX license a dream come true

Asiaspace as one of the winner for the WiMAX spectrum says that they will invest 300-400 million to roll out the service.

In a statement quoted from Bernama:

“Asiaspace has no problems working with any party or parties to realise our dreams,” it said.

It said with the spectrum, it would be able to play a much bigger role than merely providing the infrastructure for the operators.

“We will be able to contribute to the realisation of the ministry’s aspirations to achieve the targets provided for in the MyICMS 886 strategy,” it said.

Asiaspace will be operating in Peninsular Malaysia where they are expected to cover 25 percent of the population by end of the year and at least 40 percent 2 years from now.

ABOUT ASIASPACE:

Asiaspace is an infrastructure company for broadcasting and telecommunication network. The company is a licensed entity under the provision of Communication and Multimedia act 1998 (CMA).

Main areas of activity:

• Infrastructure needs for all communication companies, particularly telecommunication companies

• Digital transmission for audio and video broadcasting

• Support structure for infrastructure build up to optimise telecommunication network integration

Malaysian Blogger Not Liars…….BUT

TM exploring Indochina opportunities

Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) is exploring opportunities to acquire wireless operators in Vietnam and Laos as part of its expansion plans, said its chief executive officer Datuk Abdul Wahid Omar.

“We have always said we are looking at this region and Indochina (for expansion). It is not going to be easy as it is very competitive as others (telcos) are looking into Vietnam and Laos as well,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters in Putrajaya on March 15 after signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Verizon Business to explore the development of a Malaysian-based Internet Protocol (IP) hub.

Meanwhile, Bloomberg quoted Yusof Annuar Yaacob, who oversees TM’s international units, as saying that TM was interested in Vietnam Military Telecom Corp.

Abdul Wahid (right) exchanging documents with Verizon Business vice president (strategy & finance) John Doherty, witnessed by (from left) US Ambassador to Malaysia Christopher J LaFleur, Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Sri Dr Lim Keng Yaik and TM chairman Tan Sri Datuk Md Radzi Mansor at the signing ceremony between TM and Verizon Business at the Putrajaya Convention Centre

He said TM was also talking to “a few”‘ companies in Laos and planned to expand in India as competition was eroding earnings growth at home.

On the MoU with Verizon, Wahid said TM and Verizon were exploring the establishment of a physical node in Cyberjaya that both parties could jointly operate.

He said TM would invest RM40 million in infrastructure and additional equipment to establish the IP hub, adding that it would provide the impetus for Malaysia to become a regional transit hub for global Internet service providers’ (ISP) routing traffic.

“This partnership will lead to significant cost savings on international bandwidth connectivity for TM and other ISPs as the Internet queries and traffic are contained within the country,” he said.

Wahid said by establishing such a hub, Malaysian and foreign-owned companies located here would have the opportunity to use cutting-edge IP network technology and prepare for future IP communications services.

“Furthermore, Internet users will also experience lower latency for accessing international websites,” he said.

He said the collaboration with Verizon would serve to attract new opportunities for Internet peering by major regional Tier-1 ISPs such as those from Korea, Japan, China and India to Malaysia and establish the country as a leading IP hub.

Wahid also said the availability of Verizon’s network in Malaysia would attract more international content providers to relocate to the country thus spurring the growth of local content development.

He said the partnership would also open avenues for TM and Verizon to explore joint development initiatives to tap into new market opportunities in the 13 countries TM operates.

Minister of Energy, Water and Communications Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik, who witnessed the signing, said the initiative would complement the key objective of the Malaysian Internet Exchange (MyIX).

“MyIX was developed to increase the localisation of domestic Internet traffic and turn Malaysia into a regional hub for Internet peering and networking.

“This will reduce the need for Malaysian service providers to source IP services from neighbouring countries while positioning Malaysia as a regional bandwidth provider, which can cater to requirements from other countries in the region,” he said.-The Edge

TM Partners Verizon To Develop Local IP Capabilities

Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) will team up with Verizon Business to explore the development of Malaysian-based Internet Protocol (IP) hub.

The Benefits?

• establishment of such a hub will enable companies within the country to benefit from locally-based IP services

• Malaysian and foreign-owned companies located in Malaysia would have the opportunity to use cutting-edge IP network technology and prepare for future IP communications services

• will lead to significant cost savings on international bandwidth connectivity for TM and other Internet service providers (ISPs) as the Internet queries and traffic are contained within the country

• serve to attract new opportunities for Internet peering by major Tier-1 ISPs such as those from South Korea, Japan, China and India to Malaysia thus helping to further establish the country as a leading IP hub with capabilities at par with more established countries in the region

• would attract more international content providers to relocate here and thus spurring the growth of local content development

Verizon IP network is one of the most reliable and largest IP networks in the industry and one of the few universally-recognised Tier-1 networks in the world.

The facilities, which cost about RM40 million, will be jointly operated by TM and Verizon Business.

“We hope the combination of Verizon’s expansive global IP network and TM’s local and regional presence as well as the service expertise of both parties will bring about an attractive sales and services proposition to multinational companies and businesses operating in the region,” Minister of Energy, Water and Communications, Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik. -Bernama

WiMAX winner will be announce tomorrow

The Energy, Water and Communication Minister Datuk Seri Lim Keng Yaik said that the announcement of WiMAX winners will be made tomorrow by the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission(MCMC).

For more info, click here.

Ericsson EDGE Evolution (or 2.9G?)

Ericsson is set to achieve data speeds of up to 1Mbps in current GSM networks, enabling mobile broadband services for the world’s 2 billion existing GSM subscribers. Following the recent 3GPP industry standardization of EDGE Evolution, Ericsson has restated its commitment to launch EDGE Evolution, as software upgrade of existing infrastructure, by 2009.

EDGE Evolution will boost data speeds by up to 300 percent and will significantly improve latency, coverage, and spectrum efficiency. This improved data performance in GSM will serve as an important complement to high-speed WCDMA/HSPA networks, meeting the growing demand of data bandwidth and mobility.

Ulf Ewaldsson, Vice President and Head of Product Area Radio at Ericsson, says: “Ericsson EDGE Evolution builds on 3GPP’s industry standardization of agreed technology improvements and reflects Ericsson’s prediction that the current trend towards EDGE-capable GSM networks and terminals is set to continue.

“Ericsson is committed to offering improved data communications such as mobile broadband, and we will leverage our expertise evolving fixed and mobile infrastructure to provide future-proof investment in Ericsson GSM networks.”

Ericsson is the world’s leading EDGE supplier, supporting a majority of the 196 commercially launched EDGE networks (GSA January 2007). Ericsson EDGE brings 3G capability to the GSM network by substantially increasing data performance and capacity. It does this through a software upgrade of existing equipment, a fast and easy way to reach the mass market with 3G services.

Nasion Com Given Extension

NasionCom Holdings Bhd has until 15 of April to to re-issue its 2005 accounts. The Securities Commission (SC) has publicly reprimanded Nasioncom Holdings Berhad (NHB) and directed the company to rectify and re-issue its financial statements for the financial year ended 31 December 2005 last month.

The SC had considered it a serious breach of law and said further investigations are taking place.

Flash back here.

Nextnation calls for remedial period

Nextnation Communication Bhd has called for a remedial period before suspension of mobile phone content services for the non-processing of termination requests by customers.

In calling for a review of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) guidelines, Nextnation said the current practice was to immediately suspend short codes for such a violation.

It said immediate suspension without any remedial period period was not in the best interest of the business and of the consumers as it affected other customers who had subscribed to the service.

“A timely review of the mobile content and services guidelines will better enable a balanced representation of the relevant sectors of the industry,” it said in a statement on March 14.

Nextnation was responding to The Edge FinancialDaily article, “MCMC acts on 11 mobile content firms,” which stated that the regulatory body had taken action against the firms for spamming and other violations.

“The report failed to highlight that not all the mobile content services providers mentioned were suspended due to spamming,” it said.

The list of non-compliant content providers and their specific violations are posted on MCMC Website at http://www.cmc.gov.my/mcmc/consumer/non_compliance.asp

“The regulatory infringement that led to the brief suspension of certain short codes of Nextnation’s subsidiaries was only the failure to terminate processes and in one instance, due to a transfer of subscribers between short codes.

“These suspensions have since been lifted. Nextnation as a mobile application services provider strictly prohibits our partner content providers from any form of spamming activity,” it said.

Nextnation said technical glitches occasionally arose from periodic upgrade of systems. It added that each complaint was immediately rectified with user logs being provided to the MCMC for further clarification.

It said the brief suspension of the short codes, which have since been lifted, did not result in material financial or operational impact for the company.

“As a reputable and long-term industry player, Nextnation strongly believes in the protection of consumer interests, particularly in developing a healthy and dynamic content industry,” it said. -The Edge