P1, Qualcomm in technology deal

Packet One Networks (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (P1) today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Qualcomm Inc on the deployment of Long Term Evolution Time Division Duplex (LTE TDD) technology in Malaysia.

The MoU reflects the parties’ recent discussions on various project opportunities for P1 to plan and/or implement a wireless 4G telecommunications technology upgrade path to LTE TDD.

Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim
witnessed the signing of the MoU during CommunicAsia 2011 in Singapore.

"Malaysia is currently one of the world’s leading 4G countries and we will
continue to blaze ahead in ensuring interoperability of various 4G wireless
technologies," P1 Chief Executive Officer Michael Lai said in a statement today.

He said P1 would continue to leverage on the strength of its existing 4G
network in parallel with the LTE deployment plan. -- Bernama

http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20110621205407/Article/index_html

Using ICT to compete in the global economy

KUALA LUMPUR: Local businesses must make use of the latest information and communication technology (ICT) solutions to enhance their productivity and to compete in the global economy, said SME Corp Malaysia CEO Datuk Hafsah Hashim.

She said one of the criteria for developed countries was that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) should contribute to at least 40% of the gross domestic product (GDP), but local SMEs currently contributed 31% to GDP.

“This means that SMEs have to grow 1% or more per annum to reach the desired 40% by 2020 (the year Malaysia aims to achieve a developed-nation status). We need a leapfrog growth driven by innovation and productivity,” she said at the launch of Microsoft's Office 365 cloud computing service.

The launch marked the beginning of a private-public partnership between SME Corp and Microsoft Malaysia to enhance the take-up of cloud computing among Malaysian businesses.

Office 365 is Microsoft's newest ICT solution that utilises cloud computing to integrate business function over four primary products - office, sharepoint online, exchange online, and lync online.

“SME Corp and Microsoft will also promote the cloud service through joint roadshows as well as a Microsoft booth in SME Corp's new one-stop referral centre in KL Sentral,” Microsoft Malaysia managing director Ananth Lazarus told StarBiz.

Hafsah also said SME Corp would use the SME Competitiveness Rating for Enhancement (Score) programme to evaluate the ICT effectiveness of SMEs. SME Corp will take the lead in adopting cloud computing by using Office 365 in their KL Sentral office.

By JOHN LOH
johnloh@thestar.com.my