People in Miri among first in country to enjoy super wi-fi services

MIRI: The introduction of a pilot broadband project in Miri has users grinning from ear-to-ear. Miri is among the first places in the country to enjoy superior coverage from hotzones rather than hotspots.

The area of coverage is no longer confined to buildings or a hotel’s foyer, meaning that the public can now lug their laptop to any place covered and tap away. It’s a vast improvement for those tired of seeking out hotspots.

Everyone was dumbstruck when Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud made the announcement on Feb 10 this year at the PBB Convention in Miri, officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Taib revealed that Sarawak would in two years’ time achieve 50 percent Internet penetration with a new wi-fi broadband technology that would start in Miri and spread to the rest of the State.

This wave of technological development has picked up momentum to encompass educational institutions from Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak campus next to Desa Senadin to SK Bakam, Permyjaya, Senadin and Piasau. Most of the old town area would be enjoying this super wi-fi services by June this year.

Implementor Danawa Resources’ director and CEO Anthony Chan said 10 base stations had been erected with another 30 to follow suit under this broadband coverage project by the end of this year.

This development has impressed the computer-savvy segment of society, changing their lifestyle and way of studying, working and communication.

Students of SMK Merbau were hooked on when this wireless technology landed on their doorstep. The test run was carried out by the team this week, witnessed by Assistant Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communications Lee Kim Shin who is also pro tem chairman of Broadband Stakeholders Group (BSG).

A little hesitant initially, the students were soon tapping away like nobody’s business at their laptops placed on tables in the school canteen, entering and surfing the cyber realm beyond the confines of their classrooms.

Those involved in the project test run sat back, savouring their achievement and their cup of tea and food, knowing that the door into the borderless world had just been thrown open to these young people who represent the future.

ILP Miri director Ramli Rashidi told The Borneo Post he was happy that his institution would be offering computer and five other courses when its door open for the first intake in July this year.

This pilot project befits Miri which is home to multi-national companies such as Shell with its Asia-Pacific hub based in Miri, Petronas, Curtin University of Technology and others.

This quantum leap in internet penetration rate would put the State ahead in the country’s pursuit of a K-society.

A free two-year free broadband internet service would be the answer to the local initiative in establishing the Miri Broadband Stateholders Group (BSG).

This breakthrough joint venture between State-owned Sacofa and the local telecommunication partner, Denawa Resources, was done at affordable cost with the full backing of the government which eyes a 50 percent penetration rate within two years or 250,000 subscribers.

Lee said BSG was targeting 80 percent penetration rate in Miri city by 2008, when this two-year pilot project ends. This looks possible following the overwhelming response in registration here.

This last mile wireless technology available to Miri starting Feb 10, 2007, paves the way for Sarawak to increase its present meagre 1.5 per cent penetration rate.

The plan includes Sacofa setting up pop stations throughout the State while its partner would provide the broadband last mile technology relay station and other infrastructures to reach the homes of those interested.

An estimate has already been made by Sacofa on the entire fibre optic to run from Sematan to Miri including pop stations, fibre optics, relay stations and connections to individual houses.

According to Taib, the free subscription would see an explosion of registration by future broadband internet users in the State who were presently slow in taking up the conventional fixed line services at RM60 per month.

Curtin University of Technology Sarawak campus in Miri is the first in the country to enjoy broadband internet access from its hostels to its lecture halls under the first hot zone pilot project in the country.

The project puts Miri on the way to achieving recognition as a wi-fi city of which there are 108 worldwide, over 80 in the United States and others in Singapore and Taipei.

The hot zone pilot project has been receiving encouraging response from users in the city centre and other places. It has a straight line coverage of up 1.5 km and 0.5 km for non-straight line environment.

It is second only to Wi-Max which can cover up between 15 to 40 km radius, but this technology require users to purchase adapters costing up to US$1,000 to enjoy such service, ruling it out for Miri.

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