Here are the list of what to expect in 2008:
Nine Mobile operators
The number of Mobile operators in Malaysia will probably reach nine. Here is the list:
- Celcom
- Maxis
- DiGi
- Merchantrade-(MVNO on Celcom network)
- REDtone-(MVNO on Celcom network)
- Tune Talk-(MVNO on Celcom network)
- U Mobile
- Time/DiGi
- XOX.Com-MVNO
Mobile Number Portability
The Mobile Number Portability(MNP) is expected to launch by second quarter next year. Although Malaysia is late to offer this service-Singapore started in 1997, Hong Kong in 1999 and Australia in 2001- it would still be an advantage for Malaysia to learn from these countries as MNP has resulted bad damages to the mobile industry in certain counties.
With MNP, you could remain your number while switching your mobile operator. This gives a clear message to the mobile operator that the best services/offering wins the biggest pie of the market. In other words, as an example, DiGi could lead the market overnight although it is cuurently the smallest mobile operator.
WiMAX
Four 2.3Ghz operators will launch their WiMax service this year.
- Packet One– They are expected to sign an agreement with their suppliers this Tuesday and will launch their service between first quarter or second quarter this year.
- Asiaspace– This company has the expertise of building the infrastructure. They plan to launch their service by the end of the year. They will invest RM500 million in the next three to five years.
- REDtone- This company will launch their service in East Malaysia. They will first target business users with speed up to 155Mbps. -Read here
- YTL e-Solutions– Not much news from them but they recently joined the WiMAX Spectrum Owners Alliance (WiSOA) . Read more here. However, they are not excepted to launch their service this year.
The 2.5Ghz and 3.5Ghz spectrum will soon be taken back by the Government due to poor planning by the related Government bodies, failure of the service providers to commercially laucnch the service and the interference issues with Measat-3.
Do expect WiMAX hardwares this year. Soon, new notebooks with Intel and Mac will carry WiMAX chip on it. WiMAX routers and WiMAX PC cards will also be available soon.
Mobile TV
This year is guaranteed to be a mobile TV year. U Mobile will soon launch its DVB-H service and more phones with mobile TV capability such as DVB-H are expected to be launched in Malaysia this year.
Fibre-to-the-Home(FTTH)
Telekom Malaysia plans to launch its Fibre to the home service by the fourth quater this year. It will offer super fast broadband service up to 100Mbps. Read here.
Android
This Google OS for mobile phone is set to take off on the second half on this year. 34 companies joined the Open Handset Alliance, to develop the Android OS for mobile phone. Read more here.
Through the power of the alliance, it is possible that Android will land in Malaysia this year.
Faster Streamyx
With Telekom Malaysia leading the consortium of companies in building the new undersea fiber optic cable between Southeast Asia and the United States, I believe streamyx will be faster this year. This new undersea cable is expected to be ready on December 2008. Read more.
Smarter Mobile Phones
I believe mobile phones will be smarter this year. As the competition heats up, mobile phone makers will definitely create better phones. This will include mobile phone with advance connectivity, better interface, more features and better capabilities.
Credit Card inside your mobile phone
Soon, mobile phones will have Near Field Communication(NFC) chip in it. With this chip, users can make payments by waving their mobile phone over the merchant’s contactless card reader. Maxis has been trialling this service between their high rank staffs since last year. Trials of this service is also taking place in Australia, read here.
If you think there are more things coming up in 2008, drop me a comment. Also do comment on this article.
