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Spectrum is precious: Deploy WiMAX or else, says Malaysia authority |
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Written by Administrator
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Feb 04, 2008 at 12:23 AM |
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WiMAX licensees reminded to deploy services soon or face penalties
The Malaysian National News Agency, Bernama,
reports that the four WiMAX licensed companies are facing the
possibility of a fine and having their licenses revoked if their
services do not commence in a year's time. The comments came from
Malaysia's Minister of Energy, Water and Communications Datuk Seri Dr
Lim Keng Yaik. The ministry has previously informed the companies of
desires to see commercial services in place by March 2008.
The
four license holders are: Asiaspace Dotcom, REDtone-CNX Broadband,
Bizsurf and Packet One Networks. A three-month extension will be
granted to those not readied by March. "In six months if they do not
start, they will be fined and if by one year they do not start their
service, their licenses will be revoked," Dr. Lim told reporters.
On Tuesday, Packet One Networks announced that it had selected Alcatel-Lucent
to manage and deploy the operator's WiMAX equipment. The Packet One
network is anticipated to reach 25% of the nation's population by the
end of this year.
WiMAX operators are expected to deliver
services to both rural communities and urban centers of Malaysia. 80%
coverage of the country and reaching 99% of the population are the
targets for deploying Mobile WiMAX services. Dr. Lim estimated that
5,000 communication towers and broadcast locations will be needed over
the next two years to achieve country-wide WiMAX coverage.
Radio
frequency spectrum is a precious real estate in all parts of the world.
Regulators are taken aggressive positions to make sure that license
holders deliver valuable services using WiMAX and other contemporary
wireless protocols and do not become spectrum squatters.
By Jeff Orr, ORR Technology
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Deployments