Wi-Max

Maxis selects Alcatel for WiMAX field trial

KUALA LUMPUR: Alcatel-Lucent and Maxis Communications Berhad, have signed an agreement to conduct a WiMAX trial of a Universal 802.16e–2005 WiMAX solution.

The field trial is touted as an important step towards offering commercial services and satisfying growing demand for wireless broadband access, especially in residential areas in Malaysia.

Maxis' head of products and new businesses Dr. Nikolai Dobberstein said, "Alcatel-Lucent is a leader in WiMAX technology and Maxis is particularly impressed with the effective time-to-market strategy that Alcatel-Lucent has adopted.

"It has a clear product roadmap hence the commercial availability of Universal WIMAX IEEE 802.16e-2005 standard equipment for initial network deployments."

Alcatel-Lucent's president of mobile activities, Marc Rouanne said the joint WiMAX 802.16e Alcatel-Lucent and Maxis field trial will result in an even closer collaboration between the two companies.

"Alcatel-Lucent has made the early necessary investments in R&D to succeed and these are now paying off," he added.WiMAX is a broadband wireless access technology that enables connectivity through wireless networks for fixed, nomadic or mobile use, in urban, suburban and rural areas. - The Star

Waiting For D Day

Malaysia will launch its Internet exchange on Dec 15, said Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik. A Net exchange is a point for networks to interconnect directly rather than through a third-party network. With the exchange, the cost to consumers would be reduced and bandwidth speed increased. The plan to set up the Malaysian Internet Exchange was proposed three years ago but failed to take off when the main players, TM Net Sdn Bhd and Jaring, failed to work together. The exchange would attract international links to Malaysia and countries could start to route their connections to Malaysia instead of through Singapore.-The Star.