Unwiring the MSC: Mesh-Wireless Corridors
Wireless has also proven to be the technology of choice in deploying mainstream data networks in emerging markets around the world where cost plays a very important role. Wi-Fi's benefits (use of open spectrum, high-speed, rapid deployment) make it an excellent candidate for building out the Phase 2 corridors as envisaged and recorded under the original MSC roadmap. Wireless data networks are essential in our efforts and dreams of building out a connected nation by the year 2020. We can begin by spreading the MSC wirelessly across villages, towns and cities all over Malaysia.
Blueprint Borneo: How to unwire the MSC
Malaysians are obsessed with their mobile phones. Millions of people around Malaysia have their handphones (the local term for modern 2.5G GSM handsets)with them at all times. The teens are giving telcos a reason to smile with their addiction to SMS technology, again a seemingly common, and unglamourous technology compared to 3G technology, with all the hype and billions of dollars paid by those for licences from governments all over the world. SMS, or text messaging has already become a worldwide hit quietly and with minimum fuss, without all the marketing hype associated with 3G so much so that most have become desensitised to the technology (except in Japan where 3G networks have been deployed and used since 2000).
Text messaging is a hit in Malaysia because it is affordable, simple to use and widely available. The device on which Malaysians receive and send SMS is also the tool/gadget of choice whether you're a teenager, student or sucessful professional/corporate player.
The first step is for the Government to ensure that the open spectrum of 2.4 Ghz and 5.7 Ghz can be used freely for data communications without requiring any licences. This will provide the necessary impetus for entrepreneurs to come in and start building out the networks.
The second step is for vendors to make the Wi-Fi network cards and hubs widely available. They need to think in terms of Wi-Fi as becoming a mainstream technology, with volumes which could exceed those of the developed markets, where it is one of several competing technologies.
The third step is for the various states within the nation to actively begin deploying Wi-Fi (municipal offices, cybercafes and post offices can serve as the initial "hotspots"). Residential and office complexes can do the same with forward thinking property developers taking the initiative already. What this does is two things: it enables connectivity at much higher-speeds than what is available today, and creates the platform for Wi-Fi-enabled mobile devices.
The fourth step is for these networks to be connected together to build out a virtual wireless MSC, enabling all Malaysians to connect onto and benefit from the MSC infrastructure.
The fifth step is for the development of low-cost, mobile devices/computers like the PC Gemilang or TAPs (more later).
The final step in this roll-out would be for content developers and enterprises to start putting together applications which leverage the devices. One has to think of innovative ways in which millions of users can now interact together with high-speed devices. This is what 3G hopes to capitalise on. But 3G is a top-down, carrier-driven technology which will take time to roll-out, and will be much more expensive. By comparison, Wi-Fi is bottom-up and can become affordable for the masses very rapidly. It can help respective cities in the different states of Malaysia leapfrog with a high-speed wireless infrastructure which can be an enabler for new applications and productivity enhancements.
This is our opportunity to experience a true Wireless Renaissance: a Malaysia where bandwidth for voice and data is not constrained and we have a ubiquitous communications network. A Malaysia where computing is available for all at prices everyone can afford and where just the right information is delivered to us in real time.
Wireless technologies promises that this vision is within reach - today. Serving rural/underserved areas remaining a strong emphasis and reason to use wireless in the fight for affordable, fast, universal access to the Internet. Communities in developing countries, and in remote regions of first-world countries, are finding that broadband internet access is the key to turning around their business, education and personal opportunity.
Unwiring the MSC to cover the whole nation with a strong focus on providing affordable computing and communication tools and services to our communities is about providing a practical tool for businesses and community groups to boot-strap themselves into the digital community and reap the economic benefits of the MSC initiative. Once the MSC and broadband internet is available throughout the country, the profile of Malaysian business, education and personal communication will be dramatically enhanced, and the economic formula for the nation has more positive value. Attracting capital, visitors and new residents is much easier when broadband internet services are available, making some of the most beautiful and tropical places in the world like Malaysia an attractive place to work and live...for wasn't that the intention of the MSC in the first place?
Blueprint Borneo: How to unwire the MSC
Malaysians are obsessed with their mobile phones. Millions of people around Malaysia have their handphones (the local term for modern 2.5G GSM handsets)with them at all times. The teens are giving telcos a reason to smile with their addiction to SMS technology, again a seemingly common, and unglamourous technology compared to 3G technology, with all the hype and billions of dollars paid by those for licences from governments all over the world. SMS, or text messaging has already become a worldwide hit quietly and with minimum fuss, without all the marketing hype associated with 3G so much so that most have become desensitised to the technology (except in Japan where 3G networks have been deployed and used since 2000).
Text messaging is a hit in Malaysia because it is affordable, simple to use and widely available. The device on which Malaysians receive and send SMS is also the tool/gadget of choice whether you're a teenager, student or sucessful professional/corporate player.
The first step is for the Government to ensure that the open spectrum of 2.4 Ghz and 5.7 Ghz can be used freely for data communications without requiring any licences. This will provide the necessary impetus for entrepreneurs to come in and start building out the networks.
The second step is for vendors to make the Wi-Fi network cards and hubs widely available. They need to think in terms of Wi-Fi as becoming a mainstream technology, with volumes which could exceed those of the developed markets, where it is one of several competing technologies.
The third step is for the various states within the nation to actively begin deploying Wi-Fi (municipal offices, cybercafes and post offices can serve as the initial "hotspots"). Residential and office complexes can do the same with forward thinking property developers taking the initiative already. What this does is two things: it enables connectivity at much higher-speeds than what is available today, and creates the platform for Wi-Fi-enabled mobile devices.
The fourth step is for these networks to be connected together to build out a virtual wireless MSC, enabling all Malaysians to connect onto and benefit from the MSC infrastructure.
The fifth step is for the development of low-cost, mobile devices/computers like the PC Gemilang or TAPs (more later).
The final step in this roll-out would be for content developers and enterprises to start putting together applications which leverage the devices. One has to think of innovative ways in which millions of users can now interact together with high-speed devices. This is what 3G hopes to capitalise on. But 3G is a top-down, carrier-driven technology which will take time to roll-out, and will be much more expensive. By comparison, Wi-Fi is bottom-up and can become affordable for the masses very rapidly. It can help respective cities in the different states of Malaysia leapfrog with a high-speed wireless infrastructure which can be an enabler for new applications and productivity enhancements.
This is our opportunity to experience a true Wireless Renaissance: a Malaysia where bandwidth for voice and data is not constrained and we have a ubiquitous communications network. A Malaysia where computing is available for all at prices everyone can afford and where just the right information is delivered to us in real time.
Wireless technologies promises that this vision is within reach - today. Serving rural/underserved areas remaining a strong emphasis and reason to use wireless in the fight for affordable, fast, universal access to the Internet. Communities in developing countries, and in remote regions of first-world countries, are finding that broadband internet access is the key to turning around their business, education and personal opportunity.
Unwiring the MSC to cover the whole nation with a strong focus on providing affordable computing and communication tools and services to our communities is about providing a practical tool for businesses and community groups to boot-strap themselves into the digital community and reap the economic benefits of the MSC initiative. Once the MSC and broadband internet is available throughout the country, the profile of Malaysian business, education and personal communication will be dramatically enhanced, and the economic formula for the nation has more positive value. Attracting capital, visitors and new residents is much easier when broadband internet services are available, making some of the most beautiful and tropical places in the world like Malaysia an attractive place to work and live...for wasn't that the intention of the MSC in the first place?
posted by DC at 11:05 PM
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