Asia Express - Data Communications
WiMAX Development in Asia August 3-9
August 06, 2009
- Indian state-run telecom BSNL recently said that it plans to launch WiMAX service in the circle of Tamil Nadu starting from October or November 2009, Business Standard reported on July 22. BSNL has placed orders for 30 base stations with overseas vendors for the WiMAX service in Tamil Nadu. 22 locations of the state, mostly in the rural regions, will be able to access the service in the first phase. BSNL plans to procure 250 to 300 more base stations in the second phase of the project.

- Malaysian WiMAX carrier Packet One Networks is expanding its WiMAX coverage to second-tier cities in Malaysia, according to a Bernama report on August 5. The company expects to include Kluang, Batu Pahat, Muar, Taiping and Sitiawan in its WiMAX coverage in 2009 and projects 35% coverage of the West Malaysian population by the year-end. Packet One Networks estimates that 65% of the country's entire population will be able to access WiMAX by 2012.