Business

Wednesday October 14, 2009

Packet One to roll out WiMAX in east M’sia


PETALING JAYA: Packet One Networks (M) Sdn Bhd (P1) plans to roll out WiMAX services in Sabah and Sarawak in the first quarter of next year, after approvals were given thanks to its success of meeting the targeted 25% population coverage in Peninsular Malaysia.

“Residents in Kuching, Miri, Bintulu, Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Tawau will be able to enjoy the freedom of P1W1MAX broadband as early as in the second quarter,” chief executive officer Michael Lai said in a statement on Bursa Malaysia yesterday.

Penetration potential is huge as household broadband penetration rates were only 13.6% in Sarawak and 9.5% in Sabah as at end of last year.

“The deployment of WiMAX broadband is crucial to achieve the national household broadband penetration target of 50% by next year. WiMAX operators play an important role in meeting this objective and must work towards meeting or exceeding the targets committed”, Lai said.

P1 expects to contribute positively to east Malaysia’s economy, especially within the small and medium companies and local state industries such as tourism.

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