KUALA LUMPUR (WiMAX Day). Bizsurf, a unit of YTL e-Solutions Berhad (YTLE), was awarded a license for 2.3 GHz spectrum in Malaysia last week, which permits the company to build and operate a WiMAX network. Yet Malaysia is only the first step in the company’s WiMAX strategy.

YTLE, itself a subsidiary of the YTL Group, one of the largest Malaysian conglomerates, acquired fifty percent of Bizsurf in December 2006. The company operates wireless Internet broadband services in the Klang Valley, providing Internet to more than 1,500 customers and broadband connectivity to more than 300 buildings.

At a press conference on Friday, Tan Sri (Dr) Francis Yeoh Sock Ping, Executive Chairman and Managing Director of YTLE, told reporters that the spectrum award will bring “a new impetus and dimension to the Malaysian Telecommunications industry and the opportunity to offer all Malaysians a very high quality and affordable service…. YTLE will also strive to drive broadband penetration in Malaysia, thus helping to propel the future growth of the economy.”

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (KTAK) said it expects WiMAX services to be available to 25 percent of the targeted population by the end of 2007. The government also expects that 75 percent of the Malaysian population will have broadband access by 2010, and WiMAX is seen as the principal enabler.

Regional focus, international perspective
Dr Francis Yeoh noted “the possibilities for WiMAX [are] not just in Malaysia but also right across Asia. WiMAX will revolutionise communications in [Malaysia] and in the region.” The award of WiMAX spectrum licenses in Malaysia “is the first step in a region-wide approach” to WiMAX for YTLE.

YTLE also brings an international perspective to WiMAX in Malaysia. The group is a member of the WiMAX Spectrum Owners Alliance (WiSOA), and through that organisation has begun to evaluate possible equipment vendors for its network. “We initiated this process some time ago to ensure that we are not delayed in the build-out process,” Dr Francis Yeoh said.

Telecoms Pioneer
YTLE has been investing in telecommunications technologies since 2000. Its subsidiary Extiva Communications launched VoIP services in Malaysia and is now the third largest provider of VoIP. Yet another subsidiary, YTL Info Screen, is the leading provider of narrowcast digital media in Malaysia.

With its strong technical base, and several years of experience already with wireless broadband, WiMAX is a strategic next step for the company and the 2.3 GHz WiMAX spectrum licenses will enable YTLE “to build the next generation of communication networks.”