New rules on WiMAX bids to be out soon

COMPANIES that have bid for a licence to provide wireless broadband services will find out about new requirements they have to comply with in a month or two, the Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Seri Lim Keng Yaik says. The specifications to bid' for WiMAX (World Interoperability for Microwave Access) spectrum licences are being finalised, he said. Dr Lim put a stop to the open tender for the WiMAX spectrum on July 18, saying that the tender had not met the ministry's specifications. "We are even thinking to go into proper assessment ... what you want to do with the WiMAX is very critical because Wimax is the platform to give all sorts of services, quadruple play," he said. The technology encompasses telephony, Internet, broadcasting and mobile broadband. Dr Lim was speaking to the media after the launch of EZ 2 Own Broadband PC campaign by industry players in the information and communications technology sector. "We must know exactly whoever who is going to get this must be able to roll it out in the shortest time possible with the highest bit," he said. "To me, I touch on the minimum of two megabits, at the lowest price, the most competitive price and a national roll-out," Dr Lim said. WiMAX is expected to be rolled out in the first quarter of next year. Dr Lim said the ministry and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission are still finalizing the specifications required to award the WiMAX licences. Once the specifications are finalised, all the 17companies which have put in a bid will be called upon to comply with the new specifications. The minister said he will not reopen the tender for new bids. "Why's the hurry (in awarding the licences) ... the instruments for WiMAX are not ready yet. "The products and handsets for WiMAX are not ready yet and from what I hear, they will only be ready in the middle of next year. So you can roll out WiMAX, but a very limited number of people will use it," Dr Lim said. . "I must get the maximum of higher speed, the lowest price with mobility... don't you think I should be looking for that? Who can supply me that?" he added. Dr Lim also said that he will not hesitate to take back licences from operators which are not able to roll out their third-generation' or WiMAX platforms on time.