Welcome To Broadband City

Towns are rushing to build Wi-Fi systems. Cable and phone giants don't like it one bit.

New technologies -- which extend the range of wireless broadband from Wi-Fi's cafe scale to metro-size -- can cost a fraction of what competing cable and phone systems must pay to dig up streets and upgrade lines. By sending signals over the airwaves from inexpensive antennas mounted on light poles, small-town mayors and local entrepreneurs around the country are already providing low-cost broadband. Now large cities are getting into the act. Corpus Christi and Houston are moving forward on Wi-Fi networks, as is Philadelphia, which recently announced plans to build its own $10 million Wi-Fi network.

Nintendo DS wireless mesh?

A batch of pictures featuring creepy marionettes with the words “Find(s)me” along with a shot of a lone boy in a forest using a DS as some sort of navigation device seem to point to the possibility of a massive DS wireless network that’s bigger and badder than we previously thought. The DS could act as both a wireless 802.11 device and as a repeater hub. In other words, you won’t need a wireless router nearby to get online with these things - you’ll just need someone close enough to connect to, and he’ll be able to connect you to someone just as close to him even if that person isn’t so near you, and so on. Potentially-huge networks of gamers could appear organically and play against one another regardless of pre-installed routers or proximity.

Tropos 4210 Vehicle Cell

Tropos Networks announced on Sept 28 a new high performance, high powered and flexible mobile Wi-Fi cell, the Tropos 4210 for in-vehicle deployment. The new product allows municipalities unprecedented flexibility in deploying wireless networks that serve public safety vehicles and allows them to easily extend tactical networks into uncovered areas on a temporary basis"

Sepang: A Connected Society by 2005

In Malaysia, all the 26 villages in Sepang will have its own Information Technology (IT) centre that will each cost approximately RM 10,000 (US$ 2,631.58). The centres, which are part of the efforts aimed at Sepang's commercialisation of its industries and products, will be set up with computers and connections to the Internet.

Besides that, a villagers' occupation and profile will also be established, while plans to roll out a website, www.sepang.com, are also eyed. The plans to develop Sepang into an IT-based society are slated to be ready by 1 January 2005.

Speedy Wireless Broadband Service from Formis

Formis Network Services Sdn Bhd (Formis) is making final preparations to launch a new wireless broadband Internet service in Malaysia, and is now conducting trial runs in several areas within the Kuala Lumpur city area. The company is expected to use the wireless broadband technology of Canada-based Redline Communications Inc, for the roll-out, such as the latter's AN-50e system, which can support up to eight modulation speeds simultaneously.

Once in place, the new wireless broadband service from Formis may offer bandwidth of as much as 105Mbps.

System for Electronic Filing of Tax Returns

"‘E-filing’ is the first Malaysian government application to incorporate MyKey Digital Certificate in the national identification card MyKad. MyKey goes beyond identifying and authenticating users, to the triggering of the encryption process for transactions to and from the user’s PC. The digital signature generated by MyKey enjoys the same legal standing as a handwritten signature.

MSC Trustgate.com Sdn. Bhd., provides the digital certificates in the ‘e-filing’ system, while IRIS Corporation Berhad provides the smart card reader.

Status of Project IEEE 802.11s

ESS Mesh Networking Task Group Report.

Sputnik Into The Zone

Sputnik introduced on Sept. 20 a major upgrade to its Control Center software and introduced SputnikNet, a hosted management service, that lets businesses or wireless ISPs manage wireless networks without installing server software.

Sputnik Control Center Version 3.0 can monitor and control hundreds of wireless access points (APs) from a Web browser. While other vendors have similar management software, they cost in the $20,000 range.

Sydney to bridge harbour with Wi-Fi ferries

The Australian city is considering providing wireless Internet access on the ferries that move commuters and visitors around the bay. The NSW State Transit Authority had been involved in technology trials using a combination of wireless LAN and iBurst's mobile wireless technologies that has the potential to turn the ferries into wireless hot spots.

Small towns create own high-speed networks

Frustrated by the slow speed of broadband rollouts in their towns, local governments across the USA are building their own networks. Their common goal: to secure a bright future by building a business-quality network now.

By designing and building municipal networks, communities say they can make technology choices that suit their needs — and aspirations. The jury is still out on how these communities will fare. Technology is tricky to manage, and financial risks remain.

Still no WiMax for now...

CYBERJAYA: While some Internet service providers are planning to launch wireless broadband Internet access using WiMAX, they won’t be able to do so until the technology underlying it has been gazetted, according to Malaysia's telecommunications industry regulator, MCMC.

TM Net Sdn Bhd plans to launch WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) services towards the end of next year. 

Sirim to seek funds for ICT research

SIRIM Bhd will be seeking additional funding from the Government to support its plans to boost information and communications technology (ICT) research and development (R&D) activities under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (2006-2010). This is in response to the Government’s call to boost the creation of more home-grown ICT products and services among technopreneurs.

Currently, Sirim’s ICT division is involved in four areas of ICT R&D – artificial intelligence, data warehousing and mining, Web services technology, and encryption technology.

Sirim is calling for the Government to encourage the use of local ICT products and services generated by Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC)-status companies as a way to boost the ICT R&D industry. The latter stands to benefit if the challenges in the local ICT sector are duly addressed. Among them are curbing computer software piracy, exempting computer software from sales tax, boosting the number of patents, and strengthening ties between the industry and universities.

Scientists, come home!

The Science, Technology and Innovations Ministry is considering several new modules and mechanisms like the ones used in several other countries to woo Malaysian scientists abroad to return home and serve the country. Its minister, Datuk Dr Jamalud-din Jarjis said the module amd mechanism to be introduced would be based on those used in countries such as Germany, China and Taiwan which were also facing similar problems. However, the proposed plan must also identify the priorities beforehand such as modern agriculture, biotechnology and ICT (information and commnications technology) besides bringing back only those who were qualified.

Serving Malaysia's WISPs

Wi-LAN Inc. (TSX:WIN), a global provider of broadband wireless communication products and technologies and a charter member of the WiMAX Forum, and Aglotel Wireless Solutions Sdn. Bhd. (Aglotel), a Wi-LAN Certified Channel Partner in Malaysia, announced on Sept 13 the deployment of Wi-LAN’s broadband wireless access products for a number of wireless Internet Service Provider’s (ISP’s) and enterprise clientele in Malaysia. Among the largest customers is the leading ISP in Malaysia, TM Net Sdn. Bhd.

Smart Zigbee Mesh Sensors

As sensors spread throughout buildings, and as controlling computers become cheaper and cheaper, the industry needed an easy and cheap way to move information from device to device. The ZigBee wireless protocol provides a mesh-based network, with smarts enough to route signals from dumb device to dumb device, at between $1 to $5 per unit. Think of it as a mesh-based two-way version of RFID.

SmartMesh

Stock exchange may relax listing criteria

Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd may allow small companies that come under neither the high-growth potential group nor the 12 identified technology areas to be listed on the Mesdaq Market.

Semper Wi-Fi

Marines tired of waiting to use their Afghan camp's Internet facilities have put together their own connection.

The Marines and Navy medical staff of the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, based in Camp Salerno, Afghanistan, built a private, wireless, satellite-based network to support personal e-mail service and Internet-based phone calls to family and friends back home.

Shaharin Saman's connect ME

If you're a tech savvy individual who's using the video mail service being offered to Streamyx subscribers, then you'd be interested to know more about Shaharin Saman. After all, he's the guy who built that whole system. His company, connect ME, inked an exclusive deal with TM Net Sdn Bhd last December to have their (connectME's) video mail service offered to Streamyx subscribers for RM9 per month.

The 38—year—old Shaharin had worked for companies such as Hewlett Packard and the Sapura group before venturing on his own to do IT consulting. One of his clients included Dubai Internet City, advising it on wireless broadband technologies.

Starting connectME a year ago, Shaharin and his team have also developed a digital entertainment device. 'It looks like a DVD player but it links up to your TV to make it your screen for video mail, voice—over—IP [internet protocol] calls and to view content from the Net.'

This device was put together by outsourcing some of the software development work to engineers in India and the hardware component to companies in Penang. connectME has already sold these devices to a telco in Thailand (to be resold to their customers) and is in discussions with developers in Malaysia, who plan to provide this service as a value—added offering to buyers.

Switch to LocustWorld VoIP

LocustWorld has a new VoIP Switch, with a lot of new functions, and a new PC client program. I have been selected to test out the technology and the capacity of the system before widespread release. Pity there's no client for Mac OS yet but am sure one would be out in due course...

Servicing Remote Areas: Telekom Fixed Wireless Service

KUCHING – Telekom Malaysia Berhad is offering a Fixed Wireless Service as an alternative solution for customers residing in areas yet to be installed with any fixed line facilities especially newly developed residential areas.Its spokeman said that Fixed Wireless Service is a telephone service that uses Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technology to provide customers with high-end voice quality via digital radio transmission.

SMS Untraceable

John Howard
Originally uploaded by David Chong.

I was listening to Australia's PM John Howard on the Jakarta Australian Embassy bombing at Concorde Hotel's Premier Lounge.

I flew into KL to renew my Resident Return Visa for a further five years at the Australian Embassy along Jalan Yap Kwan Seng where security was tight to say the least.

Start Slurping SIP?

With Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), the long awaited promise of unified messaging may finally come true. No, SIP is not the latest in silly soft drinks; it is the latest emerging standard to address how to combine data, voice and mobility into one neat package. With its simple and integrated approach to session creation, SIP has the potential to transform how companies do business.

Supporting shared services

The Multimedia Development Corporation Sdn Bhd (MDC) will look into specific measures to support the growth of shared services and outsourcing of information and communications technology (ICT). This is inline with Malaysia's good global ranking as a destination for shared services & outsourcing of ICT.

Several Cyberjaya issues to be discussed

KUALA LUMPUR - The science, technology and innovation ministry will hold a meeting with all parties operating in Cyberjaya next month to discuss several issues relating to the IT city's development, its minister, Datuk Dr Jamaludin Jarjis, said yesterday. All agencies involved like transportation, housing developers and companies operating in Cyberjaya such as HSBC Bank and DHL will be invited to give feedback. The meeting would discuss the development of hard and soft infrastructure at Cyberjaya.

'The prime minister himself had said that he wanted Cyberjaya to be a really vibrant IT city. We have directed housing developers at Cyberjaya to look from the perspective of infrastructural software such as transport, security, foods outlets, entertainment and recreation,' said Dr Jamaludin.

Self-organising wireless networks by PacketHop

A mobile mesh is a self-organizing wireless communications network in which every mobile device becomes a network router and can connect with other devices in the network. Mobile mesh networks configure themselves instantly and automatically and are inherently survivable because of the availability of alternate paths. Meshed devices can utilize when fixed infrastructure is available (e.g. 802.11 access points), which, however, is not required to create a mesh network.

Skype - living up to the hype

The New York Times writes:

"SKYPE illustrates network economics in the purest form: free connections within the network become more valuable to each user as more users sign up. Because of the system's peer-to-peer design, loosely related to the Kazaa file-sharing program that Mr. Zennstrom and Skype's other co-founder, Janus Friis, invented four years ago, the system scales well - that is, it doesn't bog down as more users join. The peer-to-peer design also allows it to work behind most Internet firewalls.

Skype's own economics, including its promise that it will never impose a charge for Skype-to-Skype connections, depend on maintaining its rock-bottom cost structure and slowly adding revenue, through services like SkypeOut and future voice-mail and video-call services. The drive to hold down costs is also what originally took Mr. Zennstrom, a Swede, and Mr. Friis, a Dane, to Estonia. As Mr. Zennstrom sees it, during the 'bubble years' in Sweden, programmers lost some of the hungriness and hustle he could still find in the Baltics.

The risks make it hard to predict the company's future. The world's existing telecom companies, battered for more than a decade by technical, regulatory and marketing changes, will presumably want to answer this latest challenge. Mr. Zennstrom says the telecoms should view Skype as healthily 'disruptive technology' and respond by reinventing their business - as I.B.M. has done since the rise of the personal computer - instead of pouting their way into decline.

From the individual user's point of view, there are also questions about whether this new form of instant access could become as oppressively intrusive as e-mail often seems. But at this moment, it's hard to resist."

Stimulating passion for innovation

Jiro Suzuki writes:

"The way to creating more innovative and idea-driven people does not necessarily lie in having computer skills or a computer in every classroom. Teaching students how to use a computer is like teaching children the alphabet. Knowing the letters of the alphabet, just like learning how to use Microsoft Word, is not what enables a person to create, invent or dream up ideas. Being able to write does not mean a person will be able to produce a haiku (Japanese poem).
The focus of education should be on the thinking technique. Education should aspire not to fill students with knowledge and information, but to teach them the ability to relate to the information and knowledge. Thinking scholars have the ability to look at a set of disparate facts or circumstances, identify a common ground and from there, conceive or generate new ideas.
We also need to find ways to make our students and citizens more emotionally sensitive individuals. Successful innovators are often sensitive and attuned to emotions — music, film and the arts. It is this sensitivity, which some associate with moodiness, that creates perfectionists."

Sarawak Enterprise Corporation

The Sarawak Government has proposed to raise its stake in Sarawak Enterprise Corporation Bhd (SECB) to between 62.52% and 64.88% from 52.31% now under a share and asset swap exercise, which will see the latter transforming into a utility and energy player.

SECB announced on Sept 7 that the exercise would enable it to focus on utilities and energy as the new core business with Sarawak Electricity Corporation (Sesco) the major driver behind SECB's new core business.

SECB said currently, Multipurpose Holdings Bhd (MPHB) holds a 23.08% stake in SECB while the public holds the remaining 24.61% stake.

Supercharged Wi-Fi to blanket all Amsterdam

Amsterdam's Web surfers could soon be liberated from their home computers and Internet cafes, as a start-up company plans to make their city the first European capital where laptops can hook up anywhere to the Web.

HotSpot Amsterdam launched a wireless computer network on Monday with a supercharged version of the Wi-Fi technology that is used to turn homes, airports, hotels and cafes into Web-connected 'hot spots'.

The first seven base stations are up and running, connecting historic areas that date back to the 13th century, and the entire city center will be covered by 40 to 60 antennas within three months, HotSpot Amsterdam founder Carl Harper said.

September deadline for National Broadband Plan

The latest version of Malaysia's National Broadband Plan (NBP) is to be presented to Cabinet for approval this month. The original plan had sought to facilitate the provision of broadband access to half of Malaysian households by 2005. Currently, broadband penetration stands at a little under 0.7%.

According to the new NBP, the government believes that once broadband penetration reaches 5% or 1.3 million connections, a critical mass will be reached, which in turn will spur industry players to roll out broadband services at a quicker pace. A combination of government broadband connections (135,000), private sector usage (150,000) and home subscriptions (991,000) will push penetration rates to 5% by 2006, helped by a string of incentives and initiatives by the government.

This will include the government's push to promote competition and infrastructure sharing, such as the unlocking of fibre optic excess capacity, issuing last mile licences and mandating the unbundling of the local loop. The government will also strive to resolve disputes among telecommunications providers, which will include acting against uncompetitive practices.

Skype for Mac OS X

Via ZDNet:

"Skype Technologies launched a version of its Internet telephony package for Mac owners on Tuesday, as it battles a growing number of competitors offering VoIP products.

Luxembourg-based Skype says it has more than 9 million users worldwide, which puts it at the forefront of the fast-growing Internet telephony market. But it is facing plenty of competition, both from fellow start-ups and established telecommunications providers"

sleek simplicity: the new iMac G5

Speedlan 9000 mesh-wireless routers

HIGH-SPEED Internet access to rural portions of the United Kingdom is being assisted by Telabria who, by partnering with P-Com, is creating a powerful wireless infrastructure to “provide broadband services to virtually any portion of the nation”.P-Com, Inc - a global provider of wireless telecom products and services has announced that Telabria, a provider of wireless broadband networks in England, is deploying P-Com radios to deliver high-speed Net access to rural parts of the UK.

Telabria is using P-Com’s Speedlan 9000, a family of broadband wireless routers featuring 128-bit AES encryption for mesh, star, and point-to-point deployment. Speedlan, produced by P-Com’s Wave Wireless Networking Division, is one of the few mesh solutions that is EU/ETSI compliant because of its ability to deliver maximum TX power of 20dBm/100mW at the antenna.

Sustainable broadband internet via Mesh-Wireless

Mesh networking is an innovative, scaleable approach to building complex data networks easily and cost effectively. Comprising a series of smart digital routers designed to carry high performance broadband wireless Internet over a wide area, mesh networks create an invisible blanket of WiFi coverage for all range of environments, from remote villages beyond the reach of ISPs to suburban areas and major industrialized cities.

Rapidly becoming established as a viable, easy to implement, low management and low cost way to deliver broadband wireless Internet, mesh networks can be configured in numerous ways for commercial and non-commercial uses, and in public or private networking environments, and are playing a key role in stimulating local and regional economies.

Delivering sustainable broadband Internet into areas that other services cannot reach economically, mesh networking enhances the business, education and personal profile of the environment.

Shared Services & Outsourcing (SSO) in Malaysia

In 2004, the Offshore Location Attractiveness Index by one of the world’s largest management consulting firms AT Kearney, Malaysia was named the world’s top third location for SSO – behind India and China. The index analyzed people skills and availability, business environment and financial structure.