YTL Comms to roll out 4G network by Q4

YTL Communications will roll out its 4G network nationwide by the fourth quarter of this year, said executive chairman Tan Sri Dr Francis Yeoh Sock Ping.

He said the company has invested RM2.5 billion to develop the 4G infrastructure to provide coverage to at least 65 per cent of the populated areas in the country.

"I am confident when we roll out our nationwide 4G network by the fourth quarter of this year, the Prime Minister's vision of a 'broadband nation' and the NBI's (National Broadband Initiative) 50 per cent target broadband penetration rate by year-end will be brought closer to reality," he said.

Yeoh was speaking at the signing of a collaboration between YTL Communications and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia UTM) to provide 4G network access throughout the university's main campus in Skudai, near Johor Baru, today.
Present were Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim and UTM Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Zaini Ujang.

Yeoh said his company demonstrated its cutting-edge 4G network to Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) senior officials last week.

He said the officials also visited YTL Communications' Network Operating Centre in Sentul Park to study its high-speed 4G broadband network.

They also witnessed the first phase of the 4G device performing.

"We are working with the best minds and partners in the country and the world to bring a complete platform offering that will revolutionise the 4G experience for all consumers in the country," he said.

On today's signing, Yeoh said YTL Communications has specially created an "Education Partner Programme" (EPP) so that higher education institutions and their students will be among the first in Malaysia to benefit from its powerful 4G spectrum. -- Bernama