Asia Express - Data Communications
WiMAX Development in Asia February 1-7
February 06, 2010
- Taiwan's Senao Networks said on February 5 that it has landed a WiMAX CPE (Customer Premises Equipment) order from a Malaysia telecom company, the Chinese-language China Times reported. The company in question is expected to be Malaysia's Green Packet, according to said report. It is also reported that Senao Networks will supply Green Packet with WiMAX CPE using MediaTek chipsets. Shipments are slated to begin in the second quarter of 2010.

- Indian state-run carrier BSNL has begun offering WiMAX services in the northern state of Assam, Going WiMAX reported on February 4. Chaygaon in the Kamrup district of Assam is now able to access WiMAX at a speed of 7Mbps. Monthly fee for BSNL's WiMAX service in the rural regions is set at 140 Rupees (US$3.0; US$1=46.6 Rupees).

Meanwhile, India's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology issued a statement in early February, announcing that BSNL will expand its WiMAX services in Greater Noida this month, also according to Going WiMAX. Dhakor of Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh is expected to see the commencement of BSNL's WiMAX service later in February, while other regions of Greater Noida, including Bisradh, Dadri, Jewar, and Jahangirpuri, are expected to be able to access WiMAX in the next fiscal year, which runs from April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011.

In addition, it is projected that both BSNL and MTNL will deploy 10 new base stations in Noida and Greater Noida by the end of the current fiscal year. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology forecasted that both companies will be able to add 25,000 new subscribers to their present subscriber base. Currently BSNL has 75,000 subscribers and MTNL has 25,000 subscribers in the Noida circle.