KUALA LUMPUR, 29 SEPTEMBER 2008 - The Penang state government plans to rollout island-wide Wi-Fi services as early as December 2008, as part of its bid to become an “i-Land” by 2010.
According to Penang chief minister, Lim Guan Eng, the state has selected broadband services firm Packet One (P1) to supply the infrastructure for WiMAX@Penang, under the Wireless@Penang initiative to bring the state’s infrastructure to a higher level.
“We are all responsible for continuously driving the state of Penang forward,” said Lim. “We need to take the next natural course of action in order to further improve the standard of living of the people here. The wide availability of WiMAX in Penang will certainly provide a welcome boost to the existing and future industries.”
P1 is the first Malaysian WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) converged telecom provider to commercially offer WiMAX services on a large scale, currently available in the Klang Valley.
Penang—one of the world’s first WiMAX states
P1 chief executive officer, Michael Lai, said that first phase of WiMAX@Penang project will start in October 2008, with the deployment of P1 base stations to cover areas around George Town, Penang Island, and Seberang Prai. The targeted areas are based on the highest population density and commercial viability.
The partnership with the Penang State Government is expected to complete the Phase 1 rollout of WiMAX@Penang by the end of the first quarter of 2009.
“With this partnership announcement, P1 is keeping to its promise of delivering wireless broadband via WiMAX to Malaysians,” said Lai. “As the first WiMAX Telco in Malaysia and one of the first in the world, we hope to contribute positively to the economic development of Penang as the Silicon Valley of Malaysia.”
Intel Malaysia country manager, sales and marketing, Ryaz Patel said Intel had announced in May 2008 an investment of RM50 million in Green Packet and a collaboration with the latter’s subsidiary, P1, to rollout commercial WMAX in Malaysia.
“The Penang state government’s decision to introduce WiMAX@Penang with P1 is laudable because it will definitely help bring about enhanced social and economic benefits in the long term,” said Patel.
P1’s Lai said: “With this project, Penang will be the one of the first few WiMAX states in the world. And for Malaysia, we are taking another step closer towards making Malaysia a WiMAX hub in the region.”
