Malaysia broadband penetration by end of 2006

The government aims to achieve a broadband penetration of 25% of total households by end of 2006 under its MyICMS master plan. However, as at Q3 2006, the penetration rate is only 10% of the total households. Judging from the past few quarters statistics (7%, 8%, 9.1%, 10% in Q4 2005, Q1, Q2, Q3 2006 respectively; http://www.cmc.gov.my/facts_figures/stats/ViewStatistic.asp?cc=23807127&srid=85569401), it would be extremely hard if not impossible for Malaysia to achieve the specified target in its MyICMS master plan.

Non-cellular communication based wireless technologies such as WiMax, WiFi mesh, etc, could be the way to improve the situation. I believe that this is why the Ministry of Energy, Communications and Multimedia is acting carefully in selected companies to be awarded WiMax licenses and the evaluation process has been delayed. According to a report by the edge, 3G spectrum holders would be side-stepped if other candidates have the capability to roll out WiMAX on concerns that they may not roll out WiMAX wholeheartedly. Three of the country's four 3G spectrum holders are among the 17 applicants. They are Telekom Malaysia Bhd, Maxis Communications Bhd and MiTV Corp Bhd. Time dotCom Bhd chose not to participate.

Non-cellular communication based wireless technologies have a number of advantages:
1) low cost deployment (the equipment are normally relatively cheap as compared to cellular base station, etc)
2) fast deployment (no need to lay cable vs ADSL)
3) possible to be used in unlicensed band: This is important in encouraging innovation of new technology which can further improve quality and cost. Typical example is that the original WiFi/IEEE 802.11b has now been improved into many versions, a, g, e, n, s, etc. The emerging of WiFi mesh has allowed radio coverage extention while minimising backhaul connection cost