29 April 2010, Kuala Lumpur: Green Packet’s Group Managing Director and CEO, CC Puan commented today on the Group’s current strategy for developing its 4G WiMAX Telco business, Packet One Networks (P1) in Malaysia.
Green Packet is both a 4G WiMAX Telco, via P1, and a WiMAX product and solution developer, via Greenpacket. It is acknowledged internationally as an expert and a leading independent 4G-WiMAX Telco.
P1 is one of the four WiMAX licensed service providers in Malaysia. It has been the fastest to go-to-market and has an installed network and subscriber base several times larger than its nearest competitor with coverage exceeding 35% of the nation, and subscribers standing at 140,000 as at end 2009. Based on this impressively rapid roll-out, achieved in less than two years, P1 now ranks among the world’s top-3 4G WiMAX Telcos.
As an independent 4G WiMAX network provider, a key success factor was its single-minded focus on network coverage. On this foundation, P1 would be expanding its capability so that it may deliver the best in-market network-quality to improve customers’ satisfaction and enhance their connectivity experience.
“The business strategy for P1 since its launch was to acquire a critical mass of subscribers to prove our recurring-revenue business-model to the investment community. Now, as our business matures so must our strategic focus. We are now single-minded about improving out network quality and thus delivering best-in-class performance and a consistently high level of service and customer satisfaction,” says Puan.
As part of this strategy Green Packet is currently undertaking a technical review of its entire 4G-WiMAX network with a target of bringing network stability and continuity incidences to below 5% by third quarter 2010 and below 2% during 2011.
The technical review will encompass network node-capacity and connection-stability and will result in a tiered approach to enhancing network depth in specific hotspots.
“Network capacity is one of the main areas that P1 is addressing. In specific hotspots such as within Klang Valley, some users might experience slow connection speed especially during peak hours due to cell congestion. This happens where too many users are simultaneously logged onto one single cell or node. Meanwhile, there may be excess capacity on the cell immediately adjacent. We will optimize the network to allow one cell to offload demand to adjacent, under-utilised cells. We are also upgrading node and pipeline capacities in areas of high demand,” added Puan.
Puan feels that now is the right time for the company to undertake a comprehensive technical review of P1’s networks as its number of subscribers is sufficient to “stress test” the solutions. At the same time the subscriber base is small enough that the upgrading work would have little or no negative impact on customer service and quality. This year to date, Green Packet has invested close to RM40 million to upgrade the network and will invest an additional RM250 million to reach 45% population coverage by the end of the year.
“This technical review and network upgrade is an essential development phase for any network Telco says Puan, “it has operational and financial benefits for P1 to undertake this exercise now before we ramp up our customer acquisition activities. We want to ensure that our network’s performance is effective and robust across the entire network before our subscriber base goes through its next phase of high growth.”
Puan also pointed out that WiMAX, being a sunrise technology, is benefitting from constant development and improvements and this creates more technology options to address operational issues quickly and effectively.
Puan comments “Our Greenpacket solutions business is a world leader in technology development for WiMAX Telcos and this is a huge advantage to P1 in identifying and addressing network bottlenecks. For example, we have developed a range of 4G WiMAX modems with high-gain antenna which enhances signal reception. We have also developed omni-directional antenna which allows for greater flexibility with device placement.”
Greenpacket has also developed ‘Switched Transmit Diversity Technologies’ which boosts uplink signal strength and performance during transmission.
“The last two years have been a steep learning curve for us,” stated Puan. “Every network or 4G WiMAX Telco will go through this learning curve. At Greenpacket, we have been converting our experiences into documented best-practice methodologies and strategies, addressing the entire spectrum of network operation, from license bidding, to technology selection and implementation, to customer acquisition and customer relationship management.”
“Our challenges and experiences have become a business opportunity. Other WiMAX operators and bidders now look to the Greenpacket consulting business to advise them on all aspects of network operation,” Puan said.
Green Packet currently holds the sole nationwide WiMAX license in Malaysia and a WiMAX license in Singapore. It aims to be a multi-market 4G WiMAX Telco in Southeast Asia by acquiring two more licenses in the region by 2013.
The Group CEO believes its combination of network experience, technology and value added services alongside a growing local and international subscriber base differentiates it from all other players in the sector. No other WiMAX player in the world shares Green Packet’s unique combination of Telco and technology experience with a growing international footprint.
About Green Packet Berhad
Listed on the Main Board of the Malaysian Bourse, Green Packet Berhad (“The Group”) aims to be the visionary global leader providing best connectivity to enrich lives. Bringing forth best-of-class technologies, devices and services to simplify and enhance connectivity and communications, The Group fulfils a wide array of targeted needs by employing its two key business pillars of Solutions and Converged Communications Services; the latter via 4G WiMAX operator and service provider arm, Packet One Networks (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd; 4G WiMAX global services, Packet One International Pte Ltd, and provider of discounted, MVNO and wholesale voice services via its Alternative Voice Services subsidiary companies. For more information, visit: www.greenpacket.com
For any media enquiries, please contact:
Share
|
