MAXIS IPTV soft launch set for Q3

MAXIS Bhd (6012) , the country's biggest mobile phone operator, says it aims to do a soft launch of its internet protocol television (IPTV) services in the third quarter of this year.

"Technically we're ready to launch. Somewhere in the third quarter this year, we will have a soft launch and hope our customers can try the service and give their feedback before the official launch later," chief operating officer Jean-Pascal van Overbeke told reporters after the company's annual general meeting yesterday.

Maxis is offering IPTV services in the hopes that it will boost its non-voice revenue.

On another matter, chief executive officer Sandip Das said Maxis is open to sharing its network infrastructure with other telecommunications players as it would lower costs.
Just last week, its rivals Celcom Axiata Bhd and DiGi.Com Bhd agreed to explore a long-term collaboration involving the sharing of network infrastructure.

"We have an open mind to share infrastructure with whomever, even with a new player. I'm completely open to discussion with anybody," he remarked.

Some 40 per cent of Maxis' towers are already shared, he pointed out.

Sandip said the company's capital expenditure of RM1.4 billion this year will be funded internally.

Maxis aims to maintain its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) margin above 50 per cent this year, he said.

Last year, Maxis' Ebitda margin of 50.4 per cent, which translated to RM4.3 billion, was the highest in the industry.


By Adeline Paul Raj