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Samsung to Provide WiMAX Infrastructure for YTLE in Malaysia
WiMAX provider YTL e-Solutions and Samsung announced today that they have entered into an agreement to build a nation-wide WiMAX network in Malaysia. Under the agreement, Samsung plans to provide WiMAX base stations, end-to-end IP Multimedia Service (IMS) solutions, and a range of Mobile Internet Devices (MID)
In addition to infrastructure equipment, Samsung plans to provide WiMAX-enabled
handsets, allowing subscribers to have access to a high-quality, converged voice
and high-speed broadband network throughout Malaysia. Samsung appears to
be the only WiMAX vendor that is supplying radio equipment, modems and hand held
devices.
In a previous announcement, Malaysia's YTL Group (YTLS.KL), the parent of YTL
e-Solutions, had reported that they plan to invest 2.5 billion ringgit ($688.7M
USD) over five years to roll out the network. YTLE is planning to begin
commercial WiMAX based voice, data and multimedia services in the next 6 to 8
months, with the network planned to be completed in 14 months, according to YTL
Group Managing Director Francis Yeoh. In May 2007, a licence for a 2.3 GHz
spectrum was awarded to YTE e Solutions by the Malaysian Communications and
Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
YTLE also plans to work closely with Samsung and its other partner Cisco in
developing Malaysia as a hub of WiMAX development, encouraging investment and
growth in Malaysia through the development of new local facilities, professional
resources, training, manufacturing and logistics support. In November last
year, YTLE announced that
Cisco
would be the systems integrator for its Malaysian WiMAX network and would be
providing the "WiMAX core network" - which includes IP CORE, Operating Support
Systems, Billing Systems, Proactive Network Operating Center (PNOC), and
Interoperability Testing labs.
"Having invested the time and resources, I am confident that we have found the
right solution for Malaysia which is a combination of nationwide implementation,
with proven world class partners, to create a center for WiMAX excellence and
investment. We will bring seamless converged mobile internet service which
includes high-speed data, messaging and voice to Malaysians, any place, anytime
and anywhere throughout the country," said YTLE’s Executive Chairman and
Managing Director, Tan Sri Dato’ (Dr) Francis Yeoh.
In other WiMAX Malaysia news, ZTE Corp announced earlier this month that it had
clinched a
one-year
agreement with Packet One Networks (P1) to help expand its nationwide WiMAX
network in Malaysia, now on its second phase, throughout the country.
Under the agreement, ZTE will provide technical assistance to P1 including the
provision of WiMAX equipment, network planning and design, engineering services
and network optimization. Packet One is planning an ambitious goal to
achieve a target of 30% to 35% population coverage by end of 2009.
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tags:
Cisco and Samsung progress their WiMAX agendas
1. Cisco seems keen to be a WiMAX systems integrator for "Core IP" functions, i.e. backend network management such as OSS and billing. These are NOT Cisco's traditional functions or markets. The opportunity to do this appears to be in greenfield network build outs in developing countries.
2. Samsung is expanding its WiMAX product offerings to be able to provide true one stop shopping for the network provider- base stations, radio antennas, external modems/CPE and hand held devices.