Asia Express - Data Communications
WiMAX Development in Asia October 5-11
October 09, 2009
- Taiwanese WiMAX licensee Global Mobile began trial service in Hsinchu, northern Taiwan, on October 5 and became the second Taiwanese WiMAX carrier to launch service, after Tatung Telecom in Penghu County and Kaohsiung City earlier this year, United Daily News of Taiwan reported. Global Mobile has achieved 71.94% population coverage in Hsinchu at present and plans to boost the ratio to 95% in the future. The company expects commercial service to commence in January 2010 at the latest.

- Wi-tribe, a Qatar Telecom subsidiary, and Packet One International of Malaysia have signed a HOA (Heads of Agreement) for collaborative partnership to boost WiMAX development in Asia, according to a September 29 press release by Wi-tribe. Wi-tribe currently has operating presence in Pakistan and Jordan, while Packet One boasts one of the largest 802.16e 2.3GHz WiMAX networks worldwide. It is expected that through the HOA, the two companies will share information on the WiMAX industry and best practices, further enriching each other's knowledge resource pool.