PENANG TO GET ANOTHER 750 FREE WIFI HOTSPOTS — State government's latest initiative will see free Wi-Fi coverage areas doubled to 1,500
Penang, Friday (May 13, 2011) – The Penang government has intensified its efforts to provide free broadband access in the island by adding another 750 free Wi-Fi hotspots in public areas throughout the state as part of phase two of its 'Penang Free Wi-Fi' initiative.
The Penang free Wi-Fi intiative is implemented by open tender to all companies listed on Bursa Malaysia in 2 stages. The first stage is the qualifying stage where the listed company has to provide 750 Wi-Fi hotspots at its own cost without any financial contribution from the state government.
After installing the 750 free Wi-Fi hotspots, then only the listed company will qualify to bid for the second stage where the state government pays for another 750 Wi-Fi hotspots. So far, only one listed company has qualified. As for the first 750 Wi-Fi hotspots were provided free of charge by the listed company, the state government cannot compel where the Wi-Fi site should be sited. The company placed the first 750 Wi-Fi sites based on commercial consideration in the ability to generate advertising revenue.
Even though it is not possible to have an open tender with one listed company, the state government has managed to reduce the price that was initially offered. In line with CAT governance of Competency, Accountability and Transparency, the Penang state government is willing to offer the same terms to any other listed companies interested. This free Wi-Fi effort with Service Level Agreement ensuring maximum uptime by the Penang state government is the first of its kind in Malaysia.
The installation of these additional 750 hotpots is expected to be completed by September 2012, by which time the number of free Wi-Fi coverage areas would have doubled to 1,500.
The 'Penang Free Wi-Fi' service is a component of the state's Wireless@Penang initiative and the first 750 hotspots were launched in 2009. The free Wi-Fi service provider is REDtone International Berhad (REDtone) who installed the first 750 free Wi-Fi hotspots without a single cent from the Penang state government. The principal reason why only listed companies can qualify is to ensure reliability in service and dependability in performance.
The state government today through PDC Telecommunication Services Sdn Bhd (PDCTelco) signed a collaboration agreement with REDtone for the deployment of phase two of the 'Penang Free Wi-Fi' project for a period of 5 years at a cost of RM8.5 million. This RM8.5 million will be borne equally by both PDC Telco and the state government. Any advertising revenues earned will be shared between REDtone and PDC Telco. Signing on behalf of PDCTelco was YB Jeff Ooi Chuan Aun, Chairman of PDCTelco while REDtone was represented by REDtone International Bhd's Managing Director, Wei Chuan Beng.
As a gesture of goodwill, REDtone has also offered 50 Wi-Fi hotspots free which will add up the total number of free Wi-Fi hotspots available to Penang in public areas to 1550 by end of September 2012. What is unique about this arrangement is that for the first time in Malaysia, there is an agreement for Service Level Availability with penalties imposed for non-performance. This would handle complaints of poor reception or slow service subject of course to heavy usage. Further, REDtone shall provide 50MB as backhaul to the Internet for the existing 750 sites and he new proposed sites.
The free Wi-Fi service enables Penangites and visitors to the island to enjoy wireless Internet service without having to fork out any money at specified public areas. Further as PR state government is for all, hence Wi-Fi is also for all.
That is why one critical requirement in the agreement signed today requires at least 10 free Wi-Fi sites in public areas for every one of the 40 state constituencies in Penang including opposition areas. The free Wi-Fi service locations are easily identified by signages.
Currently, there are 50,000 registered users for the 'Penang Free Wi-Fi' service. To become a user, the person will need to register first.
About PDC Telecommunication Services Sdn Bhd
PDC Telecommunication Services Sdn. Bhd. (PDCTelco), a joint venture company between PDC Premier Holdings Sdn. Bhd. dan MESB Berhad with 60 percent stake and 40 percent stake respectively. Incorporated in June 2005, PDCTelco is entrusted by Penang State Government to systematically develop and monitor the telecommunication infrastructure in Penang State.
Functioning in the capacity of as State Backed Company (SBC) to develop the telecommunication infrastructure and assumes the responsibility of a One Stop Agency on behalf of Penang State Government to ensure that all telecommunication infrastructure development program conform to the required guidelines.
PDCTelco mission is to plan, implement and control an intelligent development of telecommunication infrastructure between industry players and authorities in an integrated and organized way which will benefit the State of Penang, network operators, service providers and the customers.
PDCTelco has also played an important role in providing sound consultation to the telcos in understanding and overcoming a broad spectrum of development issues. Assisting the telcos and Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) in educating members of the public through talks and seminars on the radiation related issues is one of the organization's social obligations
PDCTelco was awarded the Network Facilities Provider (NFP) license by MCMC on December 28, 2005, after which a license agreement was entered into between PDCTelco, Celcom, Digi, Maxis and Sapura to secure sites to build, own and lease telecommunication structures in Penang.
To date, PDCTelco has rolled out the construction of towers and monopoles, and currently owns 28 structures. Furthermore, in the year 2010 PDCTelco will construct 45 new structures, which are leased to all network operators and WiMax operators.
For further information, visit www.pdctelco.com.my.
About REDtone International Bhd
REDtone was listed on the Malaysian Exchange Of Securities Dealing & Automated Quotations (MESDAQ), now known as ACE Market, in January 2004. The broadband service provider, a Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) status company, aims to provide better technology and performance, better value, better customer service and better applications and solutions to its customers.
REDtone offers high speed Internet services, data solutions and discounted voice over IP services. The company is known for its in-house R & D capabilities and its home-grown technological innovations have won many awards in Malaysia and abroad.
In addition to Malaysia, REDtone operates in China as well.
More about REDtone available at www.redtone.com
For further information on REDtone, please contact BG Tay at Tel: (03) 7725 1908 or 012-202 5898; email: bgnexuspr@pd.jaring.my
News Release By Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng in Komtar, George Town on 13th May 2011 at 1145 am.
—— Chinese Translation ———-
槟州首席部长林冠英于2011年5月13日在光大乔治市发表声明:
槟城将要增添750个免费WIFI上网热点
州政府的免费WIFI上网覆盖地区将增加一倍,达1500个
(槟城13日讯) – 槟州政府通过在公众场所增加额外750个免费无线上网热点,以尽力加强槟岛的免费WIFI上网服务,做为免费无线上网的第二阶段项目。
槟州免费WIFI上网是我们向所有马来西亚股票交易所的上市公司公开招标所推行的,共分两个阶段。第一个阶段就是有关上市公司必须自费提供750个无线上网热点,州政府将不会支付任何费用。
在安装了750个免费无线上网热点后,有关上市公司才有资格竞标第二阶段的工程,那就是州政府将支付另外750个热点的费用。到目前为止,只有一家上市公司符合资格。因为首750个免费无线上网热点是由有关上市公司免费提供的,州政府无法强迫他们安装在特定的地点。有关公司的首750个热点是出于赚取广告收入的商业考量。
虽然我们无法在只有一家上市公司的情况下进行公开招标,州政府还是降低了他们所提呈的报价。配合州政府的能干、公信及透明施政方针,若其它公司有兴趣提供相同的条件,州政府也会一视同仁。槟州政府的这项努力是全马首创。槟州政府推行的这项拥有服务水平协议监测的免费无线上网服务是全马首创,它将确保该无线上网服务时时刻刻皆能正常使用。
上述额外750个热点预计将在2012年9月完成安装,届时,全州的无线上网覆盖热点将会增加到1500个。
"槟州免费WiFi上网"服务是州政府无线上网计划的一部分,我们已于2009年推介首750个热点。提供免费WIFI服务的公司是REDtone 国际,他们在分文不收的情况下,替槟州政府安装了首750个WIFI热点。我们只选择上市公司,主要原因是为了确保其服务和表现的可靠性。
州政府今天通过槟州发展机构电讯服务公司(PDCTelco),与REDtone签署了合作协议书,进行第二阶段的"槟州免费WIFI计划",这项计划长达5年,费用为850万令吉。槟州发展机构电讯服务公司将和州政府将共同承担这笔费用。REDtone和PDCTelco将分享广告收入。协议书由PDCTelco主席黄泉安签署,而REDTone的代表为其集团执行董事Wei Chuan Beng。
为了表示诚意,REDtone也提供50个免费Wifi 热点,在2012年9月,全槟的WIFI热点将增加到1550个。这项服务最特别之处是,我们订立全马第一个"服务品质等级"协议书(Service Level Availability),服务公司若表现不佳将受惩罚。这能够处理因用户过多而导致的收线不佳或网络慢速问题。同时Redtone将会在现有的750个热点及750个新的热点提供50MB的回程线路(backhaul) 。
免费WIFI服务让槟城人民和访客在特定公共地区、无需付费的情况下享受无线上网服务。进一步说明,民联政府为全民,WIFI服务为全民。
今天签署的合约里,其中一项重点的条件就是各个州选区必须至少安装10个免费WiFi(全槟包括在野党州选区共有40个)。用户可以通过标志牌辩识WIFI服务区。
WIFI服务使用者必须先注册。目前,全槟共有5万名用户已经注册使用槟州免费WIFI。
关于槟州发展机构电讯服务公司
槟州发展机构电讯服务公司 (PDCTelco) 是PDC Premier Holdings 私人有限公司及 MESB 有限公司的联营公司,各占60%及40%股分。2005年6月,PDCTelco受槟州政府委托,有系统地发展和监督槟州的通讯基础建设。
它属于州政府支持的通讯设备发展公司,代表州政府承担一站式代理的责任,确保所有通讯基础发展计划符合相关指南。
PDCTelco 的任务是在业主和政府部门之间,以综合性、有组织的方式,计划、执行和控制通讯设备的发展,惠及槟州、网络经营业者、服务供应商及客户。
PDCTelco 也为电讯公司提供咨询服务,让他们了解并克服相关发展的问题。该公司的其中一项社会义务就是协助telcos和马来西亚通讯和多媒体委员会,通过讲座和研讨会,教育公众关于辐射的课题。
PDCTelco 于2005年12月28日,获得由通讯及多媒体委员会发出的网络设施供应商执照,过后PDCTelco与Celcom, Digi, Maxis 和 Sapura签署协议,允许他们在槟州确认地点兴建、拥有、租用通讯建筑物。
至今为止,PDCTelco 已经建了电讯塔,拥有28座建筑结构。2010年 PDCTelco 将会兴建45个新的建筑物,租给网络经营者和WiMax 经营者。
欲知详情,请上网 www.pdctelco.com.my.
REDtone 国际有限公司
REDtone 于2004年1月在马来西亚证券交易所交易及自动报价系统(MESDAQ)上市。这家宽频服务供应商获得多媒体超级走廊(MSC)认证,立志提供更好的科技和表现,为顾客提供更优惠的价格、更好的服务、更好的应用程序和解决方案。
REDtone 也提供高速网络服务、数据方案及IP服务的优惠电话。这家公司以企业内研究与发展以及本土科技创新著称,曾在国内外获得多项奖项。
除了马来西亚,REDtone也在中国拥有业务。
欲知详情,可上网www.redtone.com, 或联络BG Tay at Tel: (03) 7725 1908 / 012-202 5898; email: bgnexuspr@pd.jaring.my
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