Maxis introdues first wireless M2M
Published: 2011/02/07
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20110207190156/Article/index_html

Malaysia's leading integrated communications services provider, Maxis Bhd recently introduced the Maxis Managed M2M, the country's first wireless machine-to-machine (M2M) service.

The Managed M2M is a set of networking and information technology (IT) technologies that are set to drive innovative wireless capabilities into a wide variety of devices beyond the traditional handsets for businesses.

"A thriving date centre industry in Malaysia will provide the critical infrastructure needed to make M2M work, in particular low latency data communications from devices to the cloud," said Multimedia Development Corporation's Chief Operating Officer Ng Wan Peng at the launch of the service during a one-day seminar entitled Wireless M2M-Emerging Market and Business Opportunities, here recently.

The M2M service includes a web-based self-service platform which enables bulk SIM customers to manage their own M2M solutions. The website will service as an entry point for businesses interested in connecting devices to Maxis's nationwide wireless network at competitive rates.

Meanwhile, Maxis' Senior Vice President and Head of Maxis Business Services Fitri Abdullah said, the M2M would offer business owners more information about their business processes.

He said the service would also provide more automation in managing assets and will enable enterprises to offer customers a new generation of services with a lower cost to serve.

M2M is a set of networking and IT technologies connecting the world's physical systems including handheld devices, buildings, computers and much more with billions of possible endpoints awaiting connection, with current estimation of more than 1.5 billion M2M nodes by 2015.--BERNAMA

YTL to boost 4G spending
By Marina Emmanuel Published: 2011/02/26
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/foji/Article/

http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/foji/pix_middle

YTL Communications Sdn Bhd, a unit of YTL Power International Bhd, is ready to invest more in base stations in Penang to expand coverage for its 4G mobile Internet service and voice "Yes" offering.

"As of today, 'Yes' has the most extensive 4G coverage in Penang, encompassing most of the populated areas of the island and the state's mainland.

"We have one third of the state already covered via our digital infrastructure investment of base stations and ready to invest more," YTL Communications Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Wing K. Lee told reporters in Penang yesterday.

Wing said YTL is in talks with the Penang government to extend its 4G footprint in the state and conceded that public awareness on the issue is also needed.

He said the commercial availability of "Yes" in Penang is a continuation of YTL's promise to deliver the most advanced 4G network throughout West Malaysia.

"The network has extensive coverage, including for the very first time in Malaysian history, the North-South Expressway. No other network has enabled the whole stretch of the country's longest highway for mobile Internet on the scale that 'Yes' has deployed," he added.

Earlier this year, "Yes" announced that its 4G network has been activated across the 240 hectares of Universiti Sains Malaysia's main campus on Penang island.

The move, which is part of the company's Education Partner Programme, allows all 20,000 USM students to connect to the 4G network, with each student getting 300 megabytes free usage for three years.

"Penang is an island state that takes pride in being at the forefront of technology and innovation," Wing noted.

"It is therefore only befitting that its people have the most advanced, converged 4G mobile Internet and communications technology in the world," he concluded.

Celcom to spend RM1b to boost coverage
Published: 2010/03/02
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20110302184526/Article/index_html

Celcom Axiata Bhd plans to invest RM1 billion in 2011 towards enhancing network coverage, capacity and quality to meet customers' demand for better access and faster connectivity.

Of the allocated capital expenditure, 60 per cent would be spent to enhance its data network while 40 per cent would be used to maintain its current operating network.

The company's network modernisation exercise will eventually move Celcom towards an all-IP infrastructure, migrating all its sites to a single-RAN (radio access network) architecture and be ready to deploy future LTE (long term evolution) services.

"We will embark on a aggressive network transformation exercise and the major single-RAN migration will be taken into execution as quickly as this quarter," chief executive officer Datuk Shazalli Ramly told reporters today.


He said the transition of this network migration would be much more aggressive as the company moves further into 2011, and the company might spend RM700 million to RM800 million over a period of three years to be LTE ready.

Operating on the single-RAN network will enable operators to build additional capacity in GSM and 3G networks and to ensure a smooth transition to LTE-based service when the need arises in the future.

However in 2010, Celcom customers will still suffer from intermittent network services due to the high rate of vandalism it experienced last year.

"We suffer rampant vandalism on our sites where more than 2,000 cases were reported, and 1,010 of these cases resulted in immediate intermitted service throughout the country," he said.

He added the vandalism cases cost Celcom losses close to RM40 million in equipment cost alone.

The telecommunications provider's largely touted widest coverage in the country may be its Achilles'' heel, where its sites in remote areas are prone to vandalism. - Bernama

Nation’s broadband penetration rate at 57.1 pct in mid-Feb
Posted on March 3, 2011, Thursday
http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=98422

http://www.theborneopost.com/newsimages/A0057609.jpg

Datuk Joseph Salang

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia’s broadband penetration rate reached 57.1 per cent in mid-February this year, said Deputy Minister of Information Communication and Culture, Datuk Joseph Salang.

“It included both fixed and mobile broadband connectivity.

“(Hence) I would imagine, it is not difficult for us to achieve our target of 60 per cent penetration rate this year,” he told reporters after delivering his speech at the ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT) seminar here yesterday.

Under the National Broadband Initiative, the government has set a target of 50 per cent household broadband penetration rate by end-2010.

Salang said although the target was important, the government would not compromise on the quality of service and was working hard at it.

He said the usage of broadband and internet was envisaged to be much higher with the realisation of IoT under the current ‘Digital Lifestyle Malaysia’ initiative.

“The Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) has identified 12 key economic areas, with two – telecommunications and information technology – focusing on enabling technologies for the IoT,” he said.

Salang said some of these projects, which had already been presented to the Economic Council, were well-received and accepted.

“It includes radio-frequency identification container tracking for the Royal Malaysian Customs.

“Many more, including swiftlet nest tracking for the Department of Veterinary Services, near field communications phones for authentication, e-wallet and micro-payment systems are to follow,” Salang said.

The IoT would see a new boundary be set and extended further to encompass inanimate objects or things like household items, industrial appliances and even other living things like trees and plants.

The IoT will push the Internet boundary and will enable all things to communicate, in other words, the internet is extending its reach to the real physical world. — Bernama

Maxis Wireless Broadband Speed Tests In Penang 2011
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U Mobile fastest network broadband in Malaysia..
up to 42Mbps.. now available in Penang & Johor Bahru..
http://u.com.my/broadband/42mbps-promo

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YES has now launched Valuepacks RM68 & RM150
http://www.yes.my/v2/say-yes/buy-yes-valuepack-68.do

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Malaysia's broadband initiatives among best in world: Salang
2011/03/13
http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/Malaysia_sbroadbandinitiativesamongbestinworld_Salang/Article/

SARIKEI: The country's National Broadband Initiative(NBI) is among the best in the world, said Deputy Information, Communication and Culture Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum.

"It is recognised not only by computing giant Microsoft now but also by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) which is the world body.

"The NBI is one of the extremely important initiatives started by the government about five years ago to give continuous Internet accessibility to the
people,"he told the media after closing a three-day Kelab Setia 1 Malaysia

workcamp at the Sebangkoi Recreational Park near here.

Some 100 hundred students from 11 secondary schools in the Rajang Basin

attended the workcamp organised by the Information Department.

"We have often been quoted at international forums as a leading example of a country and government that is very committed to promote the highest usage of
ICT," said Salang.

He added that the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission Act 1998 was also perhaps the oldest of its kind in the world and is also often used as term of reference by others. -- Bernama

RELATED LINK: http://www.skmm.gov.my/index.php?c=public&v=art_view&art_id=36

Maxis first to surpass 5,000 sites
Published: 2011/04/14
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20110414221346/Article/index_html

Maxis Bhd has become the first service provider in Malaysia to surpass 5,000 sites across Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak.

In a statement today, Maxis said it would be able to deliver high-speed wireless broadband and mobile data capabilities to 21 million Malaysians covering over 80 per cent of the population.

Its chief executive officer, Sandip Das, said the leadership position in wireless broadband would complement Maxis'' leadership in fibre footprint and strategically position the company as an integrated player.

"It provides us with the capability to offer seamless experience regardless of the delivery and access network to our customers," he said. -- Bernama

Maxis has big plans for remote areas
By Presenna Nambiar Published: 2011/03/19
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/pmax1/Article/index_html

http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/pmax1/pix_topright

Maxis Bhd (6012)will spend "hundreds of millions" of ringgit to use different technologies such as satellite technology, to bring 3G (third generation) and voice network to remote areas.

"We have special plans for using technologies like satellite for very, very remote areas, like in East Malaysia which is difficult to get to with fibre.

"So we use different technologies, like V-Sat. It's a technology which allows you to cover some plantations, which are not covered by cable," Maxis chief operating officer Jean-Pascal Van Overbeke told reporters yesterday after the launch of the much-awaited the Google Nexus S, the latest Android smart phone with the operating system Gingerbread OS.

Maxis will also use the technology to connect some places in the east coast.

The much-awaited Nexus S marks Google's re-entry into the phone production market and was co-developed with Samsung.
Maxis has exclusive rights to the distribution of the handset in Malaysia.

The smart phone goes at a retail price of RM2,499, with the cheapest unit tied to a contract data plan priced at RM1,499.

The device boasts existing Android features such as portable WiFi as well as Near Field Communication (NFC), a main selling point of the smart-phone in other markets.

NFC allows a device, usually a mobile phone, to collect data from another device or NFC tag at close range.

The technology will allow among other things, for NFC-enabled phone users to pay for goods and services by simply waving their handset across a special contactless reader in a store on the highways, much like Touch'n Go now.

Users in Malaysia will probably have a long wait before they can use the NFC feature though, as there are currently no applications in the Malaysian market.

"It will be around a year, before you see mass penetration (of NFC-enabled Android phones) which will excite the imagination and creativity of other third party developers to create applications," Van Overbeke said.

Maxis first introduced NFC into the Malaysian market two to three years ago, through Nokia 6212. It did not catch on however, due to the limited number of devices which was able to use the technology.

"Indeed it almost died, because of lack of choice of devices, but what is interesting now is that every manufacturer and software developer is now confirming that NFC is coming back big time..,

"Androids are using it as a default and other operating systems going to do the same,... probably in the coming months you will see more launches of such devices," Van Overbeke said.

He said the company was banking on the NFC becoming a default feature on Android smart phones, just like how Global Positioning System (GPS) is now a default feature for many operating systems.

Maxis wins Frost and Sullivan (M) award
Published: 2011/04/14
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20110414204947/Article/index_html

Maxis Bhd, Malaysia's leading intergrated communications service provider was awarded the coveted Mobile Service Provider of the Year award at the 2011 Frost and Sullivan Malaysia Excellence Awards tonight.

Secretary General of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Dr Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria, presented the award to Maxis Chief Executive Officer, Sandip Das.

A total of 36 awards were presented at the awards yesterday and for Maxis it was the third time it had been conferred with the prestigious award, a statement from Maxis said here today.-- Bernama

TM is broadband service provider of the year
Published: 2011/04/14
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20110414220344/Article/index_html

Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) has clinched four out of a total of 36 awards presented at the 2011 Frost and Sullivan Malaysia Excellence Awards last night.

They were Broadband Service Provider of the Year, Data Communications Service Provider of the Year, Managed Service Provider of the Year and Managed Security Service Provider of the Year for VADS Bhd.

In a statement today, TM said this was the sixth time it won the Broadband Service Provider of the Year award.

"This is meaningful in the year that TM rolled out the high-speed broadband service, UniFI," it said.

Its executive director/group chief financial officer, Datuk Bazlan Osman, said TM's success was a reflection of the company's emphasis on providing for the needs of its customers. -- Bernama

MAXIS miliki lebih 5,000 stesen 3G
2011/04/15
http://www.bharian.com.my/bharian/articles/MAXISmilikilebih5_000stesen3G/Article

MAXIS Bhd (MAXIS) muncul sebagai penyedia perkhidmatan jalur lebar pertama di negara ini yang memiliki lebih 5,000 stesen 3G di Semenanjung serta Sabah dan Sarawak

MAXIS kini menyediakan saluran jalur lebar berkelajuan tinggi tanpa wayar dan data mudah alih kepada lebih 21 juta rakyat Malaysia, merangkumi 80 peratus daripada jumlah penduduk negara.

Ketua Eksekutifnya, Sandip Das, berkata pencapaian itu diraih susulan usaha berterusan kumpulan telekomunikasi itu memperluaskan kawasan liputannya yang dilaksana pada 2010 dengan perbelanjaan modal lebih RM1.4 bilion.
Katanya, menerusi rangkaian pintar sepenuhnya itu, MAXIS berupaya menyediakan pengalaman data yang lebih baik kepada pelanggan.

“MAXIS berusaha mengubah suai sistem, memodenkan rangkaian, mencipta transmisi baru dan membina rangkaian Internet Protokol (IP).

“Keupayaan dan kualiti liputan membolehkan kami menyediakan kepada pelanggan kandungan, perkhidmatan, aplikasi serta muat turun berkualiti untuk disalurkan ke kawasan liputan lebih luas daripada penyedia perkhidmatan lain di Malaysia,” katanya menerusi kenyataan semalam.

Sandip berkata, kedudukan kumpulan itu sebagai pendahulu jalur lebar tanpa wayar itu melengkapkan kedudukannya sebagai peneraju dalam rangkaian fiber.

Sementara itu, Naib Presiden Eksekutifnya, Mark Dioguardi, berkata Maxis sudah menyempurnakan ujian teknologi LTE Generasi Masa Hadapan yang menjanjikan kelajuan data dan kapasiti rangkaian empat kali lebih tinggi.

“Rangkaian IP Maxis Berkelajuan Tinggi kini sedia untuk menyokong perkhidmatan termaju. Kami menjangka akan dapat melaksanakan rangkaian LTE dalam beberapa bulan akan datang ini,” katanya.

Celcom to launch iPhone 4
Published: 2011/04/21
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20110421152709/Article/index_html

Celcom Axiata Bhd will be launching iPhone 4 in Malaysia tomorrow with a range of plans tailored for iPhone customers.

In a statement, the leading mobile telecommunications company said iPhone 4 was the most innovative phone in the world, featuring Apple’s stunning Retina display, the highest resolution display ever built into a phone resulting in super crisp text, images and video, and FaceTime, which will make video calling a reality.

iPhone 4, powered by Apple's A4 chip, features a 5.0 megapixel camera with LED flash and HD video recording, and comes with iOS 4 which is the world’s most advanced mobile operating system.--BERNAMA

UCSI University, Maxis offer high speed internet to students
Posted on April 23, 2011, Saturday
http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=125327

http://www.theborneopost.com/newsimages/A0057989022.jpg
XCHANGE AGREEMENT: (From left) Bong, UCSI University deputy vice
chancellor for student operations Professor Dr Lachman Tarachand, Fitri and
Maxis vice president of regional sales and services Jeff Chong.

KUCHING: UCSI University and Maxis Bhd (Maxis) are teaming up to offer university students high-speed Internet access.

In its statement yesterday, the two entities signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a smart partnership as part of the Maxis Integrated Partner in Education (MIPE) programme that launched last week.

Under the agreement, Maxis would provide high-speed Internet to the university and become one of the university’s industrial partners. UCSI University vice chancellor Dr Robert Bong and senior vice president for the Maxis business division M Fitri Abdullah, signed a certificate of partnership in front of a crowd of nearly 200 students during a ceremony at the university.

In his speech, Bong said the partnership was part of UCSI University’s commitment to bring in modern technology to augment its teaching and learning environment. He said the university is currently pursuing software that would allow lecturers to create virtual ‘classrooms’ with lectures, materials and forums online.

“Our goal is to provide our students with the skills and knowledge to succeed in life in the most effective way possible,” he said.

“With blended learning, we will be able to use a variety of tools to make both teaching and learning more efficient, more relevant and more accessible through modern technology.”

Maxis said it would provide high-speed WiFi services of up to 50 megabytes per second that could be subscribed to directly using mobile phones. The Maxis WiFi service would enable students to interact with their lecturers outside the normal class setting, combining the usual face-to-face learning with online delivery methods.

The high internet speed would also enable students to quickly download podcasts of their lectures, access online resources, conduct research and join online group discussions. The WiFi service is currently on a free three-month trial basis, after which it would be available at a low daily, weekly or monthly rate for students.

Maxis and the university’s faculty of management and information technology were also working together to fulfill the MIPE commitment to developing student entrepreneurship. UCSI University is the first out of Maxis’ tertiary education partners, to deploy Hotlink dealership kiosk businesses on-campus.

Currently, there are two kiosks in operation, offering students preferential incentives as well as further blended learning opportunity to put into practice lessons from business courses and to take away new experience from a current communications business model.

Fitri in his speech said, “On 5 April, Maxis launched its MIPE programme, a unique offering of an end-to-end array of integrated services to the university sector. Today, we are pleased to see the promise of education enabled by communications technology and partnership commitment, bearing its first fruit at UCSI University.”

New international students at the University would also benefit from the partnership, with bundled package made available by Maxis and UCSI University. They would receive both prepaid mobile services and broadband internet worth RM200 for free upon their arrival at the university.

Unlimited mobile Internet from RM28/month
Published: 2011/04/27
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20110427140439/Article/index_html

U Mobile Sdn Bhd, a 3G mobile service and data solutions provider, introduced today its new Unlimited Mobile Internet
(UMI), aimed mainly at smartphone users.

The product focuses on providing mobile internet connectivity to subscribers at an affordable price of RM28 per month, with 100 minutes of free talk time and 30 short message service (SMS).

"Through the UMI, we are now delivering solutions to meet the needs of our mobile internet consumers, at the lowest rate in the market," said its chief executive officer, Dr Kaizad Heerjee at the launch of the UMI today.

Since U Mobile's inception in 2007, it has constantly kept up with the demands of the current technologically savvy generation consumers in mind.

"We have worked with global leaders in infrastructure and network development, and have leveraged on domestic expertise and capabilities.

"Last month, we concluded our back end development. Once again, I am proud to say that our network, is at least on par with the other mobile service providers in Malaysia," Kaizad said. --Bernama

Selected villages to get WiFi internet facilities
Thursday April 28, 2011
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2011/4/28/southneast/8561910&sec=southneast

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2011/4/28/southneast/se_2wifi.jpg
Connected:
A filepic showing pupils accessing the internet via WiFi in their school.

KOTA KINABALU: WiFi internet services will be available in selected villages here after a process is made to identify suitable areas.

State Resource Development and Information Technology Assistant Minister Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid said the process which will be carried out by the Information Communication and Culture Ministry involves at least two villages in each parliamentary constituency.

“The Community Broadband Centre (CBC) programme or CBC-to-home will also be provided with WiFi facilities,” she said in response to a question from Ahmad Bujang (BN-Sindumin) at the Sabah state assembly meeting here.

She added the WiFi services under the programme can be enjoyed by neighbouring homes.

In an unrelated matter, Jainab said the usage of mobile phones in Sabah has reached 3.1 million.

The figures, she added, was obtained by the Malaysian Communications And Multimedia Commission. — Bernama

Maxis to offer data plans for iPad 2
Published: 2011/04/28
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20110428174243/Article/index_html

Maxis announced it will offer dedicated data plans for iPad 2 with Wi-Fi + 3G in the coming weeks, it said in a statement today.

The telecommunications company said iPad 2 is the next generation of Apple's magical device for browsing the web, reading and sending email, enjoying photos, watching videos, listening to music, playing games, reading ebooks and much more.

Maxis said the amazing new iPad 2 improves on the original iPad by being thinner, lighter and faster, all while maintaining the same incredible 10 hours of battery life.

Source: http://www.weforum.org/

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Speed rules in broadband
By LEONG HUNG YEE Saturday May 7, 2011
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/5/7/business/8616272&sec=business

AFTER a much publicised kick-off, high speed broadband (HSBB) access in various forms is starting to take shape in Malaysia. Of late, there has been a flurry of activity as service providers rush to provide fixed-line broadband by riding on Telekom Malaysia Bhd's (TM) infrastructure.

UK-based Informa Telecoms & Media senior analyst Tony Brown tells StarBizWeek that TM's UniFi service, which got off to a relatively slow start in terms of subscriber growth, is really starting to pick up and growth prospects look good.

“Now that Maxis Bhd is selling HSBB services and Celcom Axiata Bhd is also likely to start doing so by year-end, we are going to see a big shift of subscribers moving away from DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) services towards the HSBB network,” he says.

The RM11.3bil HSBB project, signed in September 2008, is a public-private partnership agreement between TM and the Government to develop next-generation HSBB infrastructure and services for the nation.

TM is forking out RM8.9bil while the Government is co-investing RM2.4bil on an incurred claims basis based on project milestones reached by TM.

By end-2012 in accordance with the completion of the first phase of the national HSBB project roll-out as agreed with the Government about 1.3 million premises will have access to the HSBB services.

According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), government plays a special role in many developing countries in creating demand for next-generation broadband services.

“Building up fixed broadband infrastructure typically involves large-scale investments over long-time horizons and the private sector benefits from more certain prospects in its attempts to finance and roll out such infrastructure.

The foresight to develop an ultra-fast broadband infrastructure is not only limited to Malaysia. Countries as diverse as Australia, Brazil, China and India have launched broadband initiatives respectively.

Elsewhere in the region, there are also a slew of activities happening with regard to HSBB. Some countries have already rolled out their HSBB while some are currently in the midst of developing the infrastructure.

“K-broadband”

Analysts say closing the broadband gap has become a priority for many governments.

South Korea has announced its plans to build a super broadband infrastructure with upload and download speeds of 1Gbps by 2013 through a fibre-optic cable. The project is reported to cost about US$24.5bil, and will largely be funded by the private sector.

The country, which prides itself as being one of the world's most wired countries, already has the best download speeds around the globe. “You will not fail to be impressed by the speed of the country's online connections,” says an analyst. The country is in fact in the process of developing an even faster broadband speed.

According to speedtest.net, South Korea's average download speed of 30.64Mbps currently ranks the first in the world. The results were obtained by analysing test data between March 30 and May 2. By comparison, Malaysia ranks 102 with an average download speed of 2.61Mbps.

Wired broadband, however, is just at the beginning in South Korea; the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) has plans to ramp up its wireless broadband to 10Mbps.

Indeed, it would be interesting to see how things shape up in South Korea once the fibre-optic infrastructure is rolled out.

“At the rate South Korea is going, it is quite possible that the nation will give us a glimpse of our own wired future,” he says. The Korean project, largely funded by the private sector, is key to growing the country's status as a middle-income nation after years of economic despair. Home-grown online gaming and entertainment have also boomed in South Korea as a result of its investment in broadband infrastructure.

Experience Down Under

Informa Telecoms & Media's Brown says the HSBB rollout in Malaysia is one of the most interesting “National Broadband Network” (NBN) type deployments thus far as it targets a very specific part of the nation; it only covers 20% of total homes with its 1.3 million homes passed target.

“However, this very specific targeting has enabled TM and the Government to bring the project in for just US$3.78bil which is way below what is being spent by the Australian government in its own NBN deployment,” he says.

The Australian government plans to invest as much as A$43bil over eight years to build a high-speed Internet network to connect 90% of the nation's homes and create jobs.

The Australian government has also created a new company, NBN Co Ltd, to build and operate the broadband network in urban, regional and rural areas. The government will own at least 51% of a company that will make initial investments of A$4.7bil to build and operate the network.

NBN Co says the capital expenditure for the project is estimated at A$35.9bil, of which the Australian government's contribution will be A$27.5bil in equity in the project.

The NBN will involve the laying of fibre-optic cabling to 93% of Australian homes, schools and businesses, providing broadband speeds of up to 100 Mbps, or up to 100 times faster than what many Australians are experiencing.

Construction for laying the fibre-optic backbone links in Australia has started and construction on the second release sites will begin in the first half of 2011.

Good start for Malaysia

Brown says the Australian NBN is in the early stages of rollout and the government still needs to complete its deal with Telstra before the network rollout can really move forward in a substantial fashion. Indeed, the Malaysian HSBB will very likely be completed even before NBN gets off the gate.

“Therefore, from a pricing and achievement perspective, it is reasonable to say that the HSBB network has gone pretty much as well as can be expected for such a big logistical project,” says Brown.

“There have been some technical issues and it has taken them (TM) a bit longer than they might have liked to start signing wholesale deals. But in comparison with Australia, there is no doubt that Malaysia's deployment has been more efficient,” he adds.

Brown says the key thing for the HSBB is that they are not trying to take on too large a project all at once. The decision to roll out to only 20% of the country in the first stage has kept the project to a “manageable size and prevented problems faced in Australia”.

The other market in the region deploying an NBN is, of course, Singapore where the entire country will have fibre-to-home access by early 2013.

“However, it is not really useful to make costing comparisons between Singapore and other regional markets given the small geographic size of the Singapore market which makes FTTH/B rollout there very cost-effective, and most certainly so compared to Malaysia or Australia,” says Brown.

Singapore model

The Singaporean government has been promoting the usage of broadband Internet access as part of its Intelligent Nation 2015 (iN2015) masterplan. Interestingly, Singapore like South Korea, also has impressive existing infrastructure and is one of the most wired countries.

Last year, Internet service providers in Singapore started rolling out the Next Generation Nationwide Broadband Network (NGNBN) service plans. The NGNBN supports high speeds of up to 1Gbps as it uses an optical-fibre network.

According to Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA), by 2012, homes and offices nationwide will be connected to Singapore's ultra high-speed and pervasive NGNBN. In two years, some 60% of homes and offices can have access to this new, pervasive, all-fibre network.

The Singapore government had in 2008 selected the proposal from OpenNet Consortium to design, build and operate the passive infrastructure for the NGNBN. The OpenNet consortium comprises Axia NetMedia Corp (30%), Singapore Telecommunications Ltd (30%), Singapore Press Holdings Ltd (25%) and SP Telecommunications Pte Ltd (15%).

The NGNBN will be capable of delivering speeds of up to 1Gbps and beyond. It was reported that OpenNet will invest S$1bil-S$2bil to design, build and maintain the network infrastructure, while the government will support its rollout with a funding of S$750mil.

OpenNet began the fibre rollout in 2009. The rollout is on schedule and is expected to achieve the target of 95% total coverage by mid-2012.

Based on estimates, there are over half a billion broadband subscribers worldwide (including all fixed access technologies) as at end last year. While Japan continues to lead the world in terms of the number of FTTx (fibre to the home or curb) subscribers; South Korea has the highest penetration in the world and is the first to reach over 50% penetration of households using FTTx.

According to international research firm Parks Associates, the demand for high-bandwidth applications will jump in the next few years as the number of households worldwide with broadband will reach close to 650 million by 2013. Asia-Pacific is the largest market, accounting for over 160 million subscribers, and is expected to have over 49% of the global market share by 2013.

TM allocates RM3.4b for capex this year
By Zaidi Isham Ismail Published: 2011/05/11
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/TMPEX/Article/

The allocation will be mainly spent for rolling out high speed broadband and for laying of submarine cables.

KUALA LUMPUR: Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) plans to spend RM3.4 billion in capital expenditure (capex) this year, mainly to roll out high speed broadband (HSBB) and for laying of submarine cables.

Out of the RM3.4 billion capex, RM2 billion was raised via issuance of sukuk last month. TM said it will make two more issuances, with tenures of seven and 15 years.

TM managing director and group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa said the second tranche of the sukuk for capex may be issued this year, depending on consumer demand and market conditions.

"We will spend to improve service network, billing services, HSBB rollout programme and laying of submarine cables.

"Before we issue the second tranche, we have to look at our cash requirement and business position to balance our debt and equity position," Zamzamzairani told reporters yesterday after its annual and extraordinary general meetings.

He added that TM normally allocates up to 15 per cent of yearly revenue for capex requirement.

On the HSBB deployment, Zamzamzairani said TM had passed 800,000 premises, 1.7 million broadband customers and 48 exchange areas nationwide.

It aims to pass 1.1 million premises this year, targeting 1.3 million premises next year at 78 exchange areas.

TM's HSBB service,UniFi, has 80,000 customers with 800,000 premises nationwide available at 66 exchange areas since its launch in July last year. It is targeting 1.3 million premises and 95 exchange areas by the end of 2012.

Meanwhile, Zamzamzairani said TM has no plans to buy a stake in Tricubes Bhd, which bagged the RM50 million deal to develop and deploy Malaysia's 1Malaysia e-mail project.

Broadband penetration rate expected to exceed 60 pct by year end
Posted on May 17, 2011, Tuesday
http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=130732

KUALA LUMPUR: The national broadband penetration rate is expected to exceed 60 per cent by the end of this year, said Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.

He said now it stood at 58 per cent, which had exceeded the target set by the National Broadband Initiative (NBI) that was launched in March last year.

To date, he said, there were at least 17.5 million Internet users in Malaysia of whom 6.5 million used the broadband service with the number rapidly increasing.

“We are aware the demand for the broadband service is very high and the government and telcos (telecommunications providers) are unable to keep up.

“Nevertheless, the process (of providing high speed broadband service) is being speeded up,” he told reporters at his office here yesterday.

Meanhwile, on the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) 2011 today, Rais said the government was committed to continue developing the ICT sector for the people.

He said his ministry, through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), also targeted equipping 3,000 kampungs with wi-fi service and that not less than 1,000 telecommunications towers would be built by the end of the year.

“All these are the people’s right, the ministry and MCMC will continue to provide quality services besides embarking on a mission that can instill a new spirit so that Malaysians continue to progress and be united under the 1Malaysia concept,” he said.

He also said that the one million 1Malaysia netbooks to be distributed under the NBI were expected to be exhausted by the end of the year.

On the content industry, Rais said a special panel had been set up to evaluate applications for funding to produce creative works like films, documentaries and local dramas. The government has allocated RM100 million for this purpose for
three years.

In conjunction with the WTISD celebration, which is themed ‘Better Life in Rural Communities With ICT’, Rais said the MCMC would be carrying out various awarenessand appreciation programmes for the people including quizzes related to ICT.
— Bernama

Celcom achieves ISO 9001:2008 certification for Provision of Credit Management Services
Posted on May 21, 2011, Saturday
http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=131719

http://www.theborneopost.com/newsimages/A005799751.jpg
ESTEEM CERTIFICATION: Shazalli Ramly says this is a testament that Celcom is a high quality and high
performance driven company, placing great importance in elevating customers’
end-to-end experience when they are in Celcom Territory.

KUCHING: Celcom Axiata Bhd (Celcom) announced that it was successful in obtaining the ISO 9001:2008 Certification for Provision of the Credit Management Services by the Certification Panel SIRIM QAS International Sdn Bhd.

According to a press release yesterday, the certified billing credit management system was a customised process built on the current billing platform that managed Celcom’s postpaid end-to-end credit life cycle. This process was a total replacement of the previous legacy systems.

“This certification represents a testament that Celcom is a high quality and high performance driven company, placing great importance in elevating customers’ end-to-end experience when they are in Celcom Territory,” said its chief executive officer Datuk Seri Shazalli Ramly

“With the current trend moving from voice-centric to data-centric, plus the growth of smartphone users in the country, Celcom has already put in place a superior network infrastructure to support this trend shift and to meet customers’ demands and expectations.

Celcom met the rigorous standards set by the Billing CREMENSYS Quality Policy, documentation requirements, resource management, product realisation and constant measurement analysis and improvements.

TM to provide more clarity on MOU with Celcom Axiata
by Jonathan Chia. Posted on May 24, 2011, Tuesday
http://www.theborneopost.com/2011/05/24/tm-to-provide-more-clarity-on-mou-with-celcom-axiata/

KUCHING: Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) is expected to throw more light on the preliminary memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed with Celcom Axiata Bhd (Celcom Axiata) for the joint development of converged solutions.

“This includes the launch of its own mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) brand, targeted for 4Q10/1Q12 (fourth quarter of 2010 or first quarter of 2012) and the fiberisation of Celcom Axiata’s backhaul.

“The MOU was inked on February 22 with both parties extending the timeline for the signing of a formal accord to end-May,” said Jeffrey Tan, an analyst from OSK Research Sdn Bhd (OSK Research) in a research report yesterday.

Meanwhile, Tan pointed out that TM was slated to announce its first quarter of the financial year 2011 (1QFY11) results on May 25.

“We expect revenue to contract by four to eight per cent q-o-q (quarter-on-quarter) due to the high base in 4Q10 (fourth quarter of 2010) and the shorter working quarter but show an increase of three to five per cent y-o-y (year-on-year), supported by improved traction from its high speed broadband service and sustained fixed broadband (ADSL) additions, partially offsetting the weakness in its fixed line voice,” the analyst said.

He stated that TM’s core earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) could come in weaker on a sequential basis from higher Unifi operating expenditure (opex) as the company recruited more installers to meet demand and expanded its footprint to 800,000 homes.

The analyst said TM’s capital expenditure (capex) was also typically the lowest in the first quarter (1Q).

“The continued drag from its fixed line business remains a concern despite some headways made over the past 18 months to compel more users to upgrade to its bundled Homeline package.

“We expect TM to reaffirm its KPIs (key performance indicators) on revenue growth and EBITDA margin of 2.5 per cent and 32 per cent for FY11 (financial year 2011) and 3.5 to 4.5 per cent and mid-30s respectively for FY13 (financial year 2013),” Tan affirmed.

In a previous extraordinary general meeting (EGM) earlier this month, TM’s shareholders gave the nod for the RM1.03 billion capital distribution exercise (19sen per share) which would be paid out alongside its final dividend of 13.1sen per share on June 15.

This would translate to a capital distribution and final dividend totalling 42sen to be paid on June 15, noted the analyst.

Tan noted that TM’s net debt to EBITDA ratio would rise slightly to 1.2 times from 0.7 times following the payout, while net gearing would remain manageable at 0.4 times.

“We are likely to maintain our recently revised forecast post results. Our neutral recommendation is based on unchanged fair value of RM3.78 per share which is tagged to 5.5 times FY12 (financial year 2012) enterprise value to EBITDA ratio,” he said.

Tan stated that TM’s share price continued to be supported by the upcoming capital distribution albeit at adjusted 21.2 times FY12 earnings per share (EPS), valuation was not undemanding and had priced in the upside from the capital repayment.

Axiata to set aside RM3.2 billion to boost network, expand coverage
2nd June, 2011
http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/fullstory/49232

KUALA LUMPUR: Axiata Group Bhd will set aside RM3.2 billion for capital expenditure (capex) this year to boost its subsidiaries’ network and expand their coverage.

Most of it would go to Celcom Axiata Bhd and PT XL Axiata TBK, Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Seri Jamaludin Ibrahim told reporters after Axiata’s annual general meeting here yesterday.

“About RM1 billion would be spent on Celcom for upgrading the data services while up to RM1.6 billion would be spent on XL to upgrade the data services and expand network coverage,” he said.

Last year, the group’s capex was about the same amount.

Going forward, Jamaludin said Axiata could face various challenges such as stiff competition, rising inflation and ringgit appreciation.

He said the rising ringgit had impacted the group’s first quarter performance as 56 per cent of its revenue was contributed by overseas operations.

Looking at the first quarter performance, he said, the strengthening of ringgit against US dollar and regional currencies had cost the group five per cent growth in revenue.

He explained that had the ringgit remained constant, the group’s year-on-year revenue growth in the first quarter would have been eight per cent.

On Tuesday, Axiata announced its revenue for the first quarter ended March 31, 2011 rose 3.3 per cent to RM3.94 billion from RM3.81 billion in the same period last year while its pre-tax profit dropped to RM902.2 million from RM1.22 billion.

Celcom, TM sign deal for HSSB service
Published: 2011/06/03
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20110603190650/Article/index_html

KUALA LUMPUR: Celcom Axiata Bhd and Telekom Malaysia Bhd
(TM) have inked a service agreement for TM to provide High Speed Broadband (HSBB) Services to Celcom.

In a joint statement today, the companies said the agreement provides Celcom access to the last-mile and end-user premises covered by the national HSBB project and thus offers seamless fixed and mobile solutions.

Celcom Chief Executive Officer Datuk Seri Shazalli Ramly said:"Consumer behaviour is changing rapidly and the paradigm of fixed versus mobile access is becomingly increasingly irrelevant.

"We are pleased to be working together with TM to move a step closer to giving our consumers what they want, in the best possible format, on any device, whenever and wherever they maybe," he added.

The HSBB (Access) service offered by TM is open to all Malaysian
Communications and Multimedia Commission-licensed service providers, who wish to offer internet protocol (IP)-based services and applications to end users. - Bernama

M’sia plans for public sector to migrate to Internet Protocol version 6
Thursday June 9, 2011
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/6/9/business/8862530&sec=business

http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2011/6/9/business/p6-raisqtchtp1.JPG

CYBERJAYA: Malaysia aims to be Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) ready for the public sector by year-end and for the entire nation by the end of 2012, said Information, Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.

He said the migration from IPv4 to IPv6 must be completed in good time and before the pool of IPv4 addresses allocated to Malaysia is exhausted, which is in about 18 months time.

He said the ministry as well as the Malaysia Administrative Modern-isation and Management Planning Unit (Mampu) have been the first two government agencies to be IPv6-ready since last year. For Malaysia to remain competitive, it is essential that we are IPv6 ready as soon as possible.

“With a 75% broadband penetration targeted for 2015, it is also important for us to address the issue of IPv4 exhaustion, in order to maintain the seamlessness of the Internet experience in Malaysia. It is crucial to ensure there is minimal disruption to Internet users whilst the nation is migrating to IPv6,” he said in his speech (read by his deputy Datuk Joseph Salang) at a ceremony to celebrate the World IPv6 Day and Transition of IPv6 Seminar at the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission yesterday.

IPv6 is needed to support the fast pace of growth of Internet use and the explosion in the use of wireless products, quality services, inbuilt security features, enhanced mobility and the need for more IP addresses to facilitate wider use.

In respect of addresses, the IPv6 expands the space from about four billion to a multiple leap of more than 340 trillion, to support the world's 6.9 billion population today.

Rais said the government is urging all stakeholders, service providers, network operators and equipment vendors to collaborate and work towards this initiative. “Let us not forget that the whole world is currently embarking on this exercise and for this reason alone, Malaysia must not be left out of the race.”

“The failure to migrate fully will result in Malaysia not achieving the 75% broadband penetration, amongst others,” he added. He said countries such as Australia, Japan and Korea are almost at the end of their migration. - Bernama

Malaysia on track to achieve 60pc broadband penetration by year-end
2011/06/23 By Fatin Farhana Haris
http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/Malaysiaontracktoachieve60pcbroadbandpenetrationbyyear-end/Article/

PEKAN: Malaysia is on track to achieve the 60 per cent broadband penetration target by year end. after reaching 58.4 percent so far.

Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said the penetration was currently at 58.4 percent.

He said more than 17.5 per cent Malaysians were Internet users while some 6.6million used the broadband services and the figures were expected to grow.

"This increase is in line with the government's aspiration to ensure that people from all walks of life could use the internet and broadband services.

"Although there were some speed issues, but so far the services in the country were commendable," he told reporters after launching the "Kampung WiFi" at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Lepar here yesterday.

Rais also handed over 1Malaysia notebooks to some 645 students from Pekan.

Broadband target achieved ahead of schedule
Published: Tuesday June 28, 2011 MYT 8:40:00 PM
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/6/28/nation/20110628205130&sec=nation#13093476031501&if_height=536

TEMERLOH: The national broadband penetration target of 60% by the year end has been achieved ahead of schedule, said Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.

He said various factors had contributed to the success, including the distribution of the 1Malaysia netbooks and launch of broadband facilities in villages nationwide.

"In Pahang, the broadband penetration has reached 48% and we are confident of reaching 50% soon," he told reporters at the Kerdau state constituency's community gathering and launch of a telecommunication tower in Kampung Rumpun Makmur here Tuesday.

Buoyed by the achievement, he said the ministry had set a new target of 70% national broadband penetration by the year end.

Dr Rais attributed the success to joints efforts by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and telecommunications companies in improving internet quality and access.

With rising internet penetration, he urged users to use the facilities to enrich their quality of life and knowledge, and not for negative purposes. - Bernama

DiGi (www.digi.com.my/) network to be LTE-ready network
by Justin Yap. Posted on July 2, 2011, Saturday
http://www.theborneopost.com/2011/07/02/digi-network-to-be-lte-ready-network/

KUCHING: DiGi.com Bhd (DiGi) is in the process of modernising its network with LTE-ready (Long Term Evolution) or 4G-ready equipment over the next 18 months to further enhance its value-added services.

“We are going through an entire network modernisation exercise over the next 18 months by upgrading all our 2G and 3G network with a much more efficient as well as energy-saving equipments,” DiGi head of Sarawak region Benny Wee told The Borneo Post in an interview recently.

READ MORE

Celcom introduces new broadband plans
Posted on July 22, 2011, Friday
http://www.theborneopost.com/2011/07/22/celcom-introduces-new-broadband-plans/

http://www.theborneopost.com/newsimages/5350.jpg

COOL DESIGNS: (From left) Mahsuri Sharkawi, vice president of new
business, Celcom, Afizulazha and Harcharan Singh vice president of mobile
broadband, Celcom showing off their respective distinctive music characters.

KUCHING: Celcom Axiata Bhd (Celcom) introduces the new Celcom Broadband Plans, preloaded with free unlimited music from as low as RM48 a month to its postpaid customers effective today.

In addition, Celcom will also be introducing the limited edition USB modem upon subscription to any Celcom Broadband plans.

Afizulazha Abdullah, chief operations of Advanced Data for Celcom said, “With the introduction of the new Celcom Broadband Plans, we seek to enrich customers’ experience by bringing them seamless broadband connectivity bundled with free unlimited music download application, enabling customers to listen to their songs online and offline. At the same time the plan will also come with an enhanced internet security features such as Net Safe.

“This complements our recent launch of Instanet targeting prepaid customers who prefer cheap, instantaneous connectivity to internet whilst on the go. Plus, Celcom is also offering customers the limited edition USB Modem for their selection.”

“With this, we hope to enhance customers’ experience, making their internet browsing requirement more convenient, at the same time, enabling their content and music downloads more enjoyable and seamless across Celcom’s most stable and widest superior network coverage,” he further added.

Celcom Broadband’s new enhanced packages give customers more value such as Celcom Broadband Lite (RM48) with speed of up to 700kbps at 1.5GB volume; Celcom Broadband Basic (RM68) with speed of up to 1.5 Mbps at 4GB volume; Celcom Broadband Advance (RM98) with speed of up to 3.6 Mbps at 6GB volume; OR the new Celcom Broadband Pro with speed of up to 7.2Mbps at 10GB volume for promotional price of only RM138 (normal price RM158).

The promo price will be made available from today onwards. Upon subscription to any of the new Celcom Broadband plans, customers will enjoy the benefits such as free unlimited music, free Net Safe, Internet Security Suite, increased data volume and speed.

Designed to appeal to the youths of today, the limited edition USB modem comes in four cool designs featuring the respective music genres such as pop, dance, rock and hip hop.

To own these attractive limited edition USB modems, customers need to subscribe to any of the new Celcom Broadband plans at all Celcom Blue Cubes and selected authorised dealers across nationwide available from today onwards.

Alternatively, customers may visit Celcom Booth during the PC Expo 2011 at Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), Kuala Lumpur from July 22 until July 24, 2011 whereby lucky Celcom customers will stand a chance to win two MTV World Stage passes on July 24, 2011 (based on first come first serve basis).

The promotion ends on August 13, 2011. For more info, please visit www.channelx.com.my

Celcom and LG launch the first 3D recording tablet
Posted on July 30, 2011, Saturday
http://www.theborneopost.com/2011/07/30/celcom-and-lg-launch-the-first-3d-recording-tablet/

http://www.theborneopost.com/newsimages/A00579972380805740.jpg

FIRST OF ITS KIND: Zalman (left) and Celcom’s Advanced Data chief
operations Afizulazha Abdullah showing off the LG Optimus Pad,
the first 3D recording content generator tablet.

KUCHING: Celcom Axiata Bhd (Celcom) collaborates with LG to offer the LG Optimus Pad, the first three-dimensional (3D) recording content generator tablet.

According to a press release yesterday, Celcom’s customer could experience this new 3D recording tablet on its widest data network from RM1,669 onwards. “They can choose from two broadband packages such as ‘Celcom Broadband Basic 4GB’ or ‘Broadband Advance 6GB’ with a monthly commitment of RM68 and RM98 respectively.”

“Targeting customers who prioritise mobility and usability, this tablet has a comfortable single-handed grip that comes on the Android Honeycomb platform powered by dual core processor, optimised for faster web-browsing and true multitasking,” it added.

As an added bonus, customers would also receive a special rebate of RM10 for 12 months if they sign up for Celcom broadband basic and advance.

Celcom chief marketing officer Zalman Aefendy Zainal Abidin said, “The partnership between Celcom and LG aims to ensure that both technologies are integrated, so that our combined customers may enjoy enhanced experience of services, availing them with Celcom’s wide network and mobile internet that are all ready to dispensed to those who are fond of macimum opportunities in one strike.”

He further added that the group would continue to establish long-term partnership with renowned device manufacturers to introduce the latest tablets to its existing lineup to meet the varied needs and demands.

LG Optimus Pad tablet is up for grab at selected Celcom Blur Cube outlets as well as participating branches nationwide now. For more information, visit www.celcom.com.my/smartphones.

Sarawak on track to enjoy high speed broadband — Awang Tengah
Posted on July 29, 2011, Friday
http://www.theborneopost.com/2011/07/29/sarawak-on-track-to-enjoy-high-speed-broadband-—-awang-tengah/

MIRI: The state government is adopting a multi-pronged approach to increase household Internet penetration rate to 50 per cent while laying the foundation for next generation network (4G) and Long Term Evolution (LTE) services.

Second Minister of Planning and Resource Management Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan, who is also Minister of Public Utilities, said the state government had already stepped up coverage of Internet penetration rate to 46 per cent from barely 11 per cent a year ago.

“Sarawak is ready to reap the benefits of the latest telecommunication services and technology as we have the 3,000 kilometres full dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) state-of-art submarine and land fibre optic networks,” he said.

He also said state-owned telecommunication and technology company Sacofa Sdn Bhd was currently fibrerising more than 400 communication towers which would be ready for commissioning by next year to provide high capacity bandwidth to base stations to would allow 4G and LTE services.

This, he said, would provide access to the latest high speed broadband technology at a more affordable rate, complementing the 3,000km of full DWDM fibre-optic network system spanning Mersing, Kuching and Lawas with a 400-gigabit-per-second capacity.

He said this when officiating at the signing ceremony for the first UniFI in the state between Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) and Sarawak-based developer Homelite Development Sdn Bhd.

Awang Tengah believed the availability of high speed broadband service such as UniFi would spur and accelerate development of industries in Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) besides bringing much relief to commercial and domestic users.

“The state government hopes that similar services would be extended to other towns and rural areas although the sheer vastness of the state land mass poses big challenges,” he said.

Wong Su Chung, managing director of Homelite, said the company was committed to breaking new grounds by introducing refreshingly new concepts and designs in line with its motto of involvement, innovation, initiative and integrity.

“Many people work their whole life just to own a house, and Homelite believes that it is its great duty to deliver good quality and yet affordable houses, integrating past experience with new concepts and designs,” he said.

With UniFi, he said the projects would revolutionise urban lifestyle, adding Homelite Resort Phase I would be launched on August 21, followed by Phase II which would transform Miri airport area into a high-end residential area in the near future.

The development of another 460 houses in these two phases will mark the coming of age of this young company which started in 2004 with the building of just six semi-detached houses.

Phase I will include 157 units of five-star standard condominium apartments with the incorporation of Homelite UniFi draw and attractive pricing.

“The new venture would include water theme park at the doorstep, with children enjoying themselves while parents can have their cup of coffee in the gazebos or enjoy the high speed broadband services,” he said.

Wong thanked Awang Tengah and the state government for providing Homelite with a business platform conducive for it to help the government develop the state.

On the future, he said Homelite Group had more projects in the pipeline for next year, stressing it was committed to technological lifestyle, and possibly construction of green buildings that optimise natural resources such as sunlight, rain, water and wind.

TM in tie-up with Google
By LIZ LEE Thursday August 4, 2011
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/8/4/business/9233090&sec=business

http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2011/8/4/business/b_5tm.jpg
(From left) Google South-East Asia head of marketing Derek Callow, Google
Inc country business head Sajith Sivanandan, Azizi and TM GM for medium
enterprise SME Mohamad Yusman Ammeran at the signing ceremony.

KUALA LUMPUR: Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) has embarked on a year-long strategic partnership with Internet search engine Google Inc to provide an online marketing tool for the small and medium enterprises (SME) using its services.

With the collaboration, selected TM SME customers will be offered Google AdWords marketing coupons worth RM150-RM500 to advertise on the Google advertising platform, Google AdWords. The coupons will only be given out free during the initial stage of the collaboration.

TM executive vice-president overlooking SME, Azizi A. Hadi said SME customers using the Office in a Box and UniFi services would have priority to get the coupons. Currently, there are about 398,000 SMEs registered with TM and Office in a Box alone has about 50,000 users.

“With SMEs contributing to 37% of Malaysia's GDP, they are a force to be reckoned with in the nation's economic development. This year, TM is continuing the focus on collaborating with local industry players as part of our efforts to increase our outreach to SME communities,” he said.

“There is no revenue-generation from this collaboration for now. We'll see how the programme runs as this is a proof-of-concept trial. Once Malaysian SMEs can accept it, we will move to the second stage,” he said.

He said: “This is more of a loyalty programme we worked out with Google to bring our customers more value from our products as there is no barrier for their advertising on the Internet.”

The revenue generated from SME customers for TM is 25% at the moment.

Google Inc country business head Sajith Sivanandan said SMEs using the Internet in their businesses could expect to increase productivity by 10%.

“AdWords can enable them to reach out to the market globally and with the Internet as their office, they would save on physical expenses,” he said.

Sajith added that Google had grown as a result of SMEs advertising on it. “It is very easy for them to advertise. With our pay-per-click model, advertisers pay only if people click on their advertisements,” Sajith said.

RIM'S decision proof of Malaysia's competitive advantage
Posted on 11 September 2011 - 05:38am
Last updated on 11 September 2011 - 12:42pm

JAKARTA (Sept 10, 2011): Canadian-based Research In Motion's (RIM) decision to chose Malaysia to locate its East Asian Blackberry manufacturing plant, is prove of the country's competitive edge in drawing foreign investments to its shores.

The Economic Counsellor at the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta, Syahril Syazli Ghazali, said Malaysia, especially the International Trade and Industry Ministry and other agencies have been instrumental in improving the investment climate in Malaysia against the backdrop of global uncertainties.

"Of course, a huge market and low production cost are the main factors that catch the attention of foreign investors but other factors such as infrastructure facilities and financial incentives also play a part in the decision making.

"The labour cost in Indonesia is much cheaper and there are more Blackberry users here, but I am confident RIM has their own reason why they selected Malaysia," Syahril told Bernama today.

The economic advisor was commenting on remarks made by the Capital Investment Coordinating Board of Indonesia, which was disappointed with RIM's decision to chose Malaysia over Indonesia to set up the manufacturing plant and suggested that incentives be removed and tariffs imposed on RIM.

The sale of Blackberry in Indonesia was expected to reach four million units annually with a value of US$300 (RM902) per unit compared with annual sales of 400,000 units in Malaysia.

Syahril said every Asean member country had its own strength in drawing foreign investments.

"In realising the Asean Economic Community in 2015, Asean has to be looked upon as a single market or production base. As such, Asean members must cooperate among each other," he added.

Malaysia, for example, was moving away from labour intensive manufacturing industries and towards high-tech investment and a high-income economy.

Other countries can carry out labour intensive and low-tech manufacturing industries and Malaysian companies can also invest in such industries overseas, he added.

On Indonesia's suggestion to introduce import and additional tax on certain imports, Syahril said as the Asean Chairman, Indonesia knows what's best to integrate the grouping.

"I am confident Indonesia will not impose any tariff and non-tariff barriers as it will not benefit any party," he said. – Bernama

Source http://www.thesundaily.my/news/138856

Other related headlines:
RIM's Malaysia Move Is Indonesia's Loss: Analysts
Shirley Christie | September 07, 2011

As officials voiced disappointment over Research In Motion’s decision to build a BlackBerry manufacturing plant in Malaysia, analysts and business executives blamed the government for failing to convince the under-fire company to build a data center in Indonesia.

Read more...http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/business/rims-malaysia-move-is-indonesias-loss-analysts/464038

RIM says time is right for Malaysia, eyes local developers
by John Lim
Malaysia is considered a strategic market in Research in Motion’s (RIM) push into Southeast Asia, said Dany Bolduc, RIM’s regional director for Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam.

“This fiscal year was the first time a business plan was presented to Canada where Malaysia was part of a select group of markets that was discussed in detail,” he said at a press briefing in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Read more...http://e27.sg/2011/03/23/rim-says-time-is-right-for-malaysia-eyes-local-developers/

TM launches SmartMap
Published: 2011/09/28
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20110927220731/Article/

KUALA LUMPUR: Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) today launched its web-based map application, SmartMap, to the small and medium enterprise (SME) market.

SmartMap, the first of its kind in Malaysia, combines TM's digital map with valuable business data which allows customers to perform geo-spatial analysis to support business decision-making.

TM's executive vice president of SME, Azizi A. Hadi, said SmartMap, a web-based solution, or software-as-a-service, would enable interactive analysis, including area ring search and zoning, plotting internal data and sharing visual data.

"With rich information, interactivity and accuracy of imagery from SmartMap, users could search, analyse and share important data easily, anywhere, anytime.

"We have 463,000 SME customers. We are targeting the SmartMap to our existing and new customers," Azizi said here today.

An initial investment of over RM1 million had been spent on the new product, he said.

In bringing SmartMap to the SME market, TM has established collaborations with three partners -- Malaysia Franchise Association (MFA), TM Info-Media and iProperty Sdn Bhd.

Through the collaboration with MFA, TM offers MFA members not only SmartMap application but also fixed line, business broadband and WiFi@Outlet services.

MFA will be TM's strategic partner in promoting SmartMap and WiFi@Outlet to all its registered members.

In return, TM will support MFA in every possible way to ensure its benefits and values have maximum reach to MFA's members.

The TM-TM Info-Media collaboration includes data exchanges in which the latter will provide the business listing and directory services of Yellow Pages to TM.

TM, on the other hand, will provide data on Point of Interest and Global Positioning System location to TM Info-Media.

As for iProperty, the collaboration will enable both parties to leverage on each other's strength and expertise whereby iProperty provides its property listings to TM on a monthly basis.

Meanwhile, TM will provide marketing coverage and thematic property valuation map.

It will then geocode the property data into TM's digital map converting them into derivative data for SmartMap.

"SmartMap is a stepping stone for SME businesses in information and communications technology to improve their businesses and be at competitive advantage.

"It provides access to demographic distribution, property valuation and business information which are vital in determining the best location to set up their businesses, expansion or even potential target market," Azizi said.

TM digital map in SmartMap is updated on monthly basis and all data are reliable which are sourced from Department of Statistics Malaysia and iProperty, the largest property directory in Malaysia. - Bernama

Kampung WiFis set to increase
RAM ANAND Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011 11:34:00
http://www.mmail.com.my/content/86485-kampung-wifis-set-increase

KUALA LUMPUR: There are about 1,400 active Kampung WiFis in Malaysia.

And by the end of next year, the number is expected to increase to 4,000.

Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim said the nationwide programme would also teach village heads how to use the Internet.

“Internet penetration nationwide stands at about 62 per cent, which means we have crossed the target of 50 per cent. But we need to keep expanding the outreach further,” he said after launching the Get Malaysian Businesses Online (GMBO) programme by Google Malaysia.

Under the programme, villagers are only required to pay as low as RM10 a month for their wireless Internet connection, while the setting up of the connection will be awarded to small telcos.

“Telcos are allowed to bid for the contract the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). The best bidder is awarded the contract for each Kampung Wifi,” said Rais.

The cost of each Kampung WiFi is estimated to be between RM25,000 and RM32,000.

Though nationwide Internet usage is showing encouraging numbers, Rais said more work needs to be done in the East Malaysian states.

“In Sabah and Sarawak, the penetration is still below 50 per cent. So we are being more intensive is setting up Kampung WiFis over there.”

On small-medium enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia not making their presence felt online, Rais said the businesses need to be convinced that online presence would boost revenue.

“The results need to be instant because these are people who are afraid of the costs involved to have an online presence.”

More than 50 per cent of Malaysian businesses are SMEs, and 56 per cent of job opportunities, are believed to come from the SME sector.

Celcom Axiata plans another RM1b capex for 3G infra
Written by Ben Shane Lim of theedgemalaysia.com
Friday, 09 December 2011 12:57
http://www.theedgemalaysia.com/business-news/197567-celcom-axiata-plans-another-rm1b-capex-for-3g-infra.html

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 9): Celcom Axiata Bhd, which invested RM1 billion in the 3G infrastructure this year and plans to spend another RM1 billion next year.

Its chief financial offer Chari TVT said on Friday the network was long term evolution (LTE) capable for upgrading. (LTE is a standard for wireless communication of high-speed data for mobile phones and data terminals.)

When asked about plans by Broadcast Australia to ink a deal on Monday to be Celcom’s technical partner to bid for the RM2 billion digital terrestrial television broadcasting (DTTB) project, Chari declined to comment.

He said the details of the deal would be announced on Monday but said that Celcom would ultimately be providing infrastructure for the (DTTB) network and rent it out for stable income in the future.

On the financial performance for the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2011, Chari said Celcom posted record profits and revenue. Its profit after tax and minority interests had grown 10% on-year to RM531million and revenue by 6% to RM1.826 billion.

Celcom Axiata ties up with Aussie firm to bid for RM2bil DTTB project
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/12/13/business/10083710&sec=business#13237716622551&if_height=671

http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2011/12/13/business/b_p2Celcom.jpg

(From left) Celcom Axiata Bhd chief strategy and business transformation officer Farid Yunus, Savill, Salang and Shazalli at the signing ceremony yesterday

P1 to be IPV6-ready by end-2012 latest!
Posted on January 3, 2012, Tuesday
http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/01/03/p1-to-be-ipv6-ready-by-end-2012-latest/

KUALA LUMPUR: Packet One Networks (M) Sdn Bhd (P1) expects to be IPv6-ready (Internet Protocol version 6) by end-2012 in bracing for the depletion of IPv4 Internet addresses.

In a statement today, P1 said it has already completed phase two of three phases of the compliance exercise.

Its chief executive officer, Michael Lai, said P1′s preparations on the compliance exercise began months back.

“Our back-end systems are already fully IPv6-compliant.

“The third phase is on the last-mile delivery and end-user devices-compliant,” he said.

Lai said IPv6 was needed to support the fast pace of Internet use growth and the explosion in the use of wireless products, quality services, in-built security features, enhanced mobility and the need for more IP addresses to facilitate its wider use.

“The growth of the Internet has mandated a need for more addresses than are possible with IPv4.

“It’s a case of basis binary mathematics. There is not enough numbers with IPv4,” he said. – Bernama

www.p1.com.my/

http://www.p1.com.my/images/landing/P14G_logo.png

New HyppTV channel (http://www.hypp.tv/) targets French expats
Posted on 25 April 2012 - 05:37am EE ANN NEE
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/359038

http://img.thesundaily.my/sites/default/files/imagecache/article//thesun/Catalogue/p16%20eanfranc_c358672_12425_145.jpg

Kung (left) and Bertrand at the launch of France 24,
the latest channel under UniFi's HyppTV.

KUALA LUMPUR (April 25, 2012): Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) expects 2,000 French expatriates to subscribe to its latest France 24 channel under its pay-TV service HyppTV via UniFi, within two years of its launch.

France 24 distribution director Asia Pacific Brice Bertrand said there are 4,000 French living in Malaysia and about 20,000 students learning French here.

"France 24 targets three types of audience: French expatriates, Malaysians learning French as well as tourists from France and French-speaking countries like Belgium, Canada and Africa," he told reporters at the launch of France 24 on Monday.

The offering is a 24-hour international news channel available on HyppTV Channel 128 through high speed broadband service, UniFi. The channel can be purchased on an a-la-carte basis at RM20 per month.

TM executive vice-president of new media Jeremy Kung said the latest channel will complement the other international and local news channels available on HyppTV.

HyppTV offers 87 channels consisting of 19 free channels, 17 video-on-demand genres and 18 interactive channels.

TM targets to have 400,000 UniFi subscribers by year-end from the current 320,000. It aims to expand its UniFi coverage to 1.3 million premises this year, from 1.2 million currently.