TM in talks with MCMC to introduce 2.5GHz spectrum

Kuala Lumpur: Telekom Malaysia Bhd, which failed to secure a WiMAX licence, is in talks with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to introduce 2.5-gigahertz (GHz) spectrum that has similar performance of WiMAX, says chief executive officer Datuk Wahid Omar. He said the company was willing to invest between RM250 million and RM300 million, which would be a part of its capital expenditure allocation for 2007. "We want to use the 2.5 GHz spectrum and convert to WiMAX standards and deploy the service. We have already started discussions with MCMC," he told reporters at the Invest Malaysia 2007 here Wednesday. There were 17 bidders for the 2.3 GHz broadband wireless access spectrum, or WiMAX licences. The winners were Bizsurf (M) Sdn Bhd, MIB Comm Sdn Bhd, Asiaspace Dotcom Sdn Bhd and REDtone-CNX Broadband Sdn Bhd. All the licences, except that of REDtone-CNX, would cover areas in Peninsular Malaysia. Wahid said there were other spectrums besides 2.3 GHz, like 2.5 GHz and 3.6 GHz, that could be used for broadband connection. WiMAX, which stands for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, is a standards-based technology enabling the delivery of last-mile wireless broadband access as an alternative to cable and DSL (direct subscriber line). While it allows for triple play (voice, video and Internet), it is expected to include quad play as well (voice, video, Internet and mobility). WiMAX enables deliverables of bandwidth between two points or between a point to multipoint to consumer. "We want to serve our customers better. The most important thing is to deploy the broadband service effectively, especially in rural areas," he said. On TM's expansion overseas, he said the company was looking at Asia, especially China but it was subject to available opportunities. "We are eyeing some companies but are not in negotiations with anyone," he said. - Bernama