WiMAX gaining momentum in SE Asia

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: After some delay in the licensing process, which ended last year with four 2.3GHz wireless broadband spectrum licenses awarded, WiMAX is about to launch in Malaysia. The new services are expected to considerably improve access to broadband services in what is one of South East Asia’s most dynamic communications markets, and will undoubtedly be followed with great attention by the neighbouring markets.

One of the four lucky licensees, and first operator to launch the services in June, is Packet One Networks, a company that has been active in the market for some time providing wireless Internet access via Wi-Fi. The company is headed by Michael Lai, who boasts an impressive experience in ICT in the region, having been CEO of TMNet, and Senior Vice President of Branding and Market Development for Celcom.

Lai will share his extensive experience and vision of the region’s broadband developments in a keynote presentation at South East Asia Com, the leading event for the region’s telecom professionals, which will take place in Kuala Lumpur on July 23-24.

Lai will join a group of keynote speakers representing the region’s leading operators and regulators, gathering to share experiences and discuss the optimum strategies to maximise the growth of communications in the ASEAN region and neighbouring countries.

Major operators to be represented include Indosat (represented by President Johnny Swandi Sjam), Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications (with Vu Ngoc Tien, Deputy Director of International Cooperation Department), Laos’s  ETL (with Vanthong Sosamphanh, Director of International Telecommunications Division), Indonesia’s PT Excelcomindo Pertamina (with Wim Timmermans, CFO), as well as Thailand’s AIS, Malaysia’s Maxis, Hong Kong’s PCCW, among others.

They will have a chance to network with some of the region’s regulators and policy makers as well, with presence from the Malaysian Communications & Multimedia Commission, Indonesia’s regulator BRTI and Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, and Malaysia’s Ministry of Energy, Water & Communications, supporting the event. Presentations from telecommunications solutions provider will give updates on technology and product evolution, with contributions from Altobridge, Green Packet, Smarttrust, and Ulticom.

Over two days, the multi-streamed conference will provide not only learning opportunities from the expert speakers, but also multiple networking activities to maximise the sharing of ideas (speed networking, drinks reception, online networking tool), as well as an exhibition showcasing the latest telecommunications solutions from regional and international companies.