Took this article from the 4G thread and did so because it talks about one of SSPI's long time customers Thales; I was not aware they were into heavy network building as is indicated in this copy. Thales was always strictly a military player, but I was definately wrong on that score. Have to throw them in the mix because this broadens their interest as it relates to us.
AtlasONE Sdn Bhd, an emerging broadband service provider, and Thales, one of the world's largest professional electronics groups, today entered into two agreements for the latter to provide equipment and services for a national deployment of wireless broadband services in Malaysia.
The signing of the contracts worth USD180m was witnessed by Datuk Amar Leo Moggie, Minister of Energy, Communications and Multimedia. Under the agreements, Thales shall assume responsibilities for all facets of system integration, programme management and broadband technology solution selection for AtlasONE's last-mile access architecture, and backbone transmission network.
This partnership will not only allow AtlasONE to offer higher bandwidth IP services to large business entities and high rise buildings using the 3.5 GHz spectrum, but also to provide individual and small business portable Internet connectivity and voice services with the recently awarded 2.5 GHz spectrum.
With the roll-out of its wireless broadband services, AtlasONE will be able to provide individual and business customers with instantaneous, "plug-and-play" Internet access and rich multimedia applications on a high-capacity network designed to deliver data rates of up to 2Mbps to users in fixed, portable and mobile environments.
Mohammad Badry bin Hanafi, Chairman of AtlasONE said: "Consumers and enterprise customers can benefit from the availability, dependability and affordability of our wireless broadband service, which leverages non-line-of-sight architecture, to stay connected anytime, anywhere."
"Thales is excited and honoured to have been chosen by AtlasONE as the systems integrator for the national rollout of its broadband network infrastructure," said John Hughes, Executive Vice President and COO of the Thales Group.
AtlasONE plans to roll out comprehensive wireless last-mile network infrastructure, initially in the Klang Valley and key markets along the Western Corridor of the peninsula in the second half of 2003. The company is targeting to set up 60 base stations for the 3.5 GHz spectrum by the end of the year.
AtlasONE and Thales have also been operating a trial system to test possible services for the presently under-utilised 2.5 GHz spectrum with pocket-sized wireless desktop modems and PC cards (PCMCIA) for laptops and PDAs in Kuala Lumpur since December 2002. This trial has been used to demonstrate the nomadic and portable broadband capabilities of the UMTS TD-CDMA (TDD) standards-based IPWireless(tm) broadband wireless access solutions.
The company intends to not only provide wireless broadband services to its direct customers, but also offer access to other operators that want to use its wireless last-mile infrastructure.
Citing the IDC Q203 report, Mohammad Badry added: "The Internet market is expected to grow another 17%, thus reaching 5.7 million by end of this year, which will bring the Internet penetration rate to 22%. Consumers are demanding for better and faster Internet access, and through our wireless last-mile solution, we intend to offer them the connectivity that was previously unavailable."
"At AtlasONE, we are committed to supporting the government's efforts to move Malaysia into a knowledge-based economy whereby Malaysians from all walks of life will be able to access the benefits of the Internet for better living standards. And we are confident that through our collaboration with Thales, we can fulfil our promise for dependable high-speed "always-on" Internet access," he added.
"We at Thales recognise the role of private industry and stand solidly behind AtlasONE as they support the Malaysian Government's effort to reform and restructure the telecommunications sector," said Hughes.
The wireless broadband deployment will be carried out by Thales in conjunction with its local technical support and services partner, Landasan Network (M) Sdn Bhd. Supported by knowledge transfer from Thales, Landasan Network will undertake the planning, installation, testing, commissioning, maintenance and management of AtlasONE's wireless broadband network.
About AtlasONE Sdn Bhd
AtlasONE Sdn Bhd was licensed by the Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission on December 6, 2001 to provide broadband communication services under the provisions of the Network Facilities Provider, Network Services Provider, and Application Services Provider (Individual and Class) licenses.
AtlasONE provides broadband communication infrastructure and services utilising Internet Protocol network infrastructure. The company offers connectivity for always-on Internet access, customised domestic and global data solutions, voice communications, international access and a host of value-added services.
About Thales and Thales Broadcast & Multimedia
Thales is a world leader in professional electronics in three key markets: Aerospace, Defense and Information Technology & Services (IT&S). The Group employs 65,000 people in nearly 50 countries worldwide, and generated revenues of over €11 billion in 2002.
Thales Broadcast & Multimedia, a Thales Group company, designs, develops, manufactures and markets equipment, systems and solutions in the field of:
- Terrestrial Transmission (radio and TV)
- Digital Video Processing and Multimedia Distribution
for broadcasting, cable TV, satellite and telecommunication services providers worldwide. Thales Broadcast & Multimedia has deployed its systems in 170 countries.
About Landasan Network (M) Sdn Bhd
Landasan Network (M) Sdn Bhd, a Landasan Group company, provides engineering services and support in the telecommunications and IT industry. The Landasan Group focuses its business activities in a spectrum of telecommunication engineering services; supply of equipment to public utility providers and government agencies; and development of IT solutions. |
