Asia Express - Data Communications
WiMAX Development in Asia November 9-15
November 13, 2009
- Malaysian WiMAX carrier Packet One Networks is expected to receive an investment of 110 million Ringgits (US$32.4 million; US$1=3.4 Ringgits) from its parent company Green Packet, according to a November 11 report by Bernama. It is reported that Green Packet will subscribe to 419,500 Class A ICPS (Islamic Irredeemable Convertible Preference Shares) at a rate of 262.22 Ringgits (US$77.1) per share. Packet One Networks is expected to leverage this funding to roll out its WiMAX network and services in Malaysia. The carrier expects to offer fixed VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) by the end of 2009 and projects 45% population coverage for its WiMAX services by year-end 2010.

- Samsung Electronics announced on November 11 that the company has obtained two more mobile WiMAX equipment supply contracts from UQ Communications of Japan, according to a press release by Samsung. Samsung has deployed mobile WiMAX networks for UQ Communications in major Japanese cities including Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka. As per the terms of the new contracts, Samsung will start delivering mobile WiMAX base stations to UQ Communications in early 2010.

In the same press release, Samsung also announced that it has joined the WiMAX Innovation Network led by Malaysian WiMAX carrier YTL Communications. The WiMAX Innovation Network was created with the aim to further the development of mobile WiMAX applications and products. It is expected that Samsung will act as a knowledge provider and technical assistant for the program and will engage the company's interoperability test lab in Malaysia in cooperation with approved developers. Other international companies participating in the WiMAX Innovation Network include Clearwire, Cisco, and GCT Semiconductor.