KUALA LUMPUR: The three companies holding WiMAX licences that have yet to roll out their services have been warned that they risk losing their licences.
Information, Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said the Government has the right to revoke the licences if the companies did not roll out their services by year-end, especially to Sabah and Sarawak.
The terms of their licences require it, he added.
He said he has instructed the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to look into the issue and review the licences of the three.
Four companies were awarded the 2.3GHz spectrum, allowing them to offer wireless broadband services using WiMAX technology, in 2007.
The companies are Packet One Networks (M) Sdn Bhd, REDtone International Bhd, YTL e-Solutions Bhd and Asiaspace Dotcom Sdn Bhd.
So far, only Packet One has rolled out it service in a major way, while YTL and Asiaspace have had limited rollouts.
The news above was released earlier today.
My thoughts:
1) Why in the first place such licenses are awarded to such companies?
2) Shouldn't the Government do some form of Due Diligence before awarding any licenses?
3) Shouldn't they monitor the development of all license holder on a frequent basis? Is FOUR (4) companies too much for a big department like them?
4) Even with P1 having launch its WiMAX, the network coverage is still not up to standard. So what they are in Wireless KL? I stay in KL but still my area IS not covered by P1. Ya ... progressively increasing the coverage. My foot. Till today P1 still a loser at my place.
