Here are some recent developments in broadband in Malaysia…
In summary: Malaysia lags behind together with Asia, WiMax licenses to be finally issued, a company gets money to develop WiMax technology, and some smart residents decide to take things into their own hands to get broadband in their remote housing area…and make money while doing it!
Asia needs infrastructure for advertising on broadband, Internet
Advertising in Asia is still very much focused in the traditional channels like television and print, says BBDO Bangkok chief creative officer. ASIA will need at least five years before it has the infrastructure it needs to go into the new era of advertising on broadband and Internet.
Josh: And how does Malaysia rank within Asia when it comes to broadband? Hmm.
Malaysia expects to issue four WiMax licenses
the submissions it has already received from 17 companies, including DiGi
Telecommunications, Maxis Communications, MiTV Corp, REDtone International and
NasionCom.”
Josh: Yay. Good, some progress. Now hurry up and issue them already.
ADA Cellworks gets funding to develop WiMax Technology
Intel Corporation, and Malaysia Venture Capital Management Bhd (MAVCAP), the
venture capital investment arm of the Finance Ministry.”
Josh: Yay. Good for them. Now hurry up and develop it already.
Rawang Township Residents To Enjoy Wireless Broadband
Asia Pacific Land Berhad and Wi-Fi service provider BTP Wireless Sdn Bhd in May. Formed by five of the township’s residents, BTP will installed over 200 Wi-Fi
access point serving homes, schools and public area in the township, while Jaring provides the trunk connection to the Internet backbone.”
Josh: This, about the Rawang Township WiFi is amazing news - not only because its a out of the way place getting WiFi, but also the activism demonstrated by the residents. The best way to describe them would be Prosumers.. Producers & Consumers. Knowing that its a slim chance that ISPs would bother to service their area, 5 of them teamed up and formed a company (BTP Wireless Sdn Bhd) to make it possible. What’s also interesting is that they managed to somehow reduce the monthly subscription price (their customers pay RM84 for a an unlimited access 1MBps line, and a MY015 VOIP phone line). The normal price is RM139 without extras.. That’s an RM55 reduction off normal rates and value for money with additional services.
So it’s very likely they brokered a deal where they manage to guarantee a certain number of subscribers in exchange for Jaring providing reduced rates. I hope the people behind BTP Wireless Sdn Bhd get rich for their smart efforts, but of course, they already know they will. With 6,500 existing potential household subscribers, and a 25,000 new houses going to be built in the township by 2008, these guys behind DTP Wireless Sdn Bhd obviously really knew what they were doing. In summary, this kind of activism is what we need more of - consumers not content to just complain, but to take matters into their own hands to change things and ensure it is sustainable as a business. Hopefully the idea demonstrated that you can make a change in the environment you live in, help other people, and be rewarded for it - will encourage more to do things like this. This is the way forward, rather than waiting for sluggish companies or a all-talk-hands-tied organizations to intervene.
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