Maxis is said to be in talks with AsiaSpace over the past few months on how to collaborate and share infrastructure for the roll out of LTE (Long Term Evolution) services.
TheStar deputy news editor B.K. Sidhu reported:
Sources said the plans might involve Maxis building and operating the LTE network while Asiaspace will bring to the table the telecommunications spectrum so that the overall reach and capacity would be wider and bigger.
Maxis will use its network to offer LTE enabled services and Asiaspace would be able to offer services to its users by riding on Maxis LTE network, sources said.
Those familiar with the deal said that talks began several months ago and a preliminary agreement had been reached.
However, both parties would explore the feasibility of such a collaboration before an agreement was inked.
Sources said there might be a clause in the agreement that might give Maxis the first right of refusal to buy some stake in Asiaspace, provided the shareholders of the latter wanted to reduce their stake in the company.
Opinion:
Currently Maxis is using the 900Mhz/1800Mhz/2100Mhz while AsiaSpace has a 2.3Ghz spectrum that is not properly utilised.
Maxis & AsiaSpace are heading towards the same direction- LTE. Both companies are scheduled to receive a spectrum in the 2.6Ghz for LTE deployment.
The possible partnership will benefit the customers of Maxis & AsiaSpace. Maxis needs more spectrum as its network gets congested with lots of data hungry(broadband) users while AsiaSpace could make use the resources(finance, etc) of Maxis to deploy the LTE network. The partnership could also mean a single LTE network shared by Maxis & AsiaSpace.
It is a win-win partnership as Maxis has the expertise running a live network(2G,3G,HSPA) and AsiaSpace has the expertise in building telecom towers.
A few operators in the country are already trialling LTE(Maxis, Celcom) and spectrum assignment is believed to take place in the year 2013.
[Source]- TheStar
