Even in a downturn, wireless broadband grows

It's getting to where a guy can't leave the house without getting some wireless broadband reception.

In Southeast Asia, that is.

Broadband Internet penetration in Malaysia -- 21.1 percent of households at the end of 2008 -- lags other Asian countries, such as Singapore and South Korea. But the Malaysian government wants to see that figure increase to 50 percent by the end of 2010.

Whether WiMax plays an important role in extending the reach of broadband Internet services remains to be seen.

WiMax will have to compete for wireless broadband market share with Malaysian cellular operators, offering Internet access over their 3G networks, market research firm IDC said in a report issued earlier this month. WiMax is hampered by limited coverage in Malaysia and established cellular operators will move aggressively to defend their market position from new entrants, it said.

Legislators Look at their Own Phone Bills, Question Legality

Years after exclusive contracts for wireless service became de rigeur, a few legislators are now wondering if exclusive phone contracts are in fact a bane to competition.

No, consumers like higher prices for phone contracts. It convinces them that they are paying top dollar for top service.

No, really.

"The four largest wireless carriers have hijacked consumer access to handset technology," said John E. Rooney, chief executive of U.S. Cellular, the nation's fifth-largest cellphone service operator with 6.2 million subscribers. "Everyone is going to the big four to get exclusive rights to these phones, so we are stuck with everything other than these. It puts a big dent in our ability to compete and our ability to supply these phones to areas of the country where we serve customers where they don't."

Register for IBWS 2009 by This Friday, March 13th and Save 15%!

A reminder that as a member of the IBWS LinkedIn Group you are eligible for discounted conference registration rates!

When you register for IBWS 2009 by end of business this Friday, March 13th, you will receive a 15% discount which guarantees you a rate lower than any we are currently offering!

To register click here or call +1 888.670.8200. Be sure to mention priority code XU2159LINKEDIN

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Speaker Profile: Pilar Caudillo

Over the course of the next couple of months, we will be highlighting some of the speakers that will be at the In-Building Wirlesss Solutions Conference held in Vegas this May. Today I’d like to start off by introducing to you Pilar Caudillo, President and Owner of Unwired Solutions De Mexico and Exitel Telecom.

You might recognize some of the work Pilar Caudillo has done over the years when you take a look at the Torre Mayor, which is the tallest building in Latin America. Unwired Solutions actually developed the first multicarrier inbuilding project in México with Torre Mayor. Here’s an interesting clip from Daily Planet that gives an insider’s tour to Latin America’s tallest building.



Also, here’s a case study on the wireless coverage system for Torre Mayor that was recently forwarded to us.

Don’t miss your chance to see Pilar Caudillo speak at IBWS on European and Latin Market Approaches to Boosting In-Building Take-up.