New Straits Times
18 May 2006

JARING Communications Sdn Bhd, the country’s oldest Internet service provider, expects to boost broadband take-up in the country through tie-ups with housing developers.

“Although our (broadband take-up) rates are still far from the target of 2.8 million broadband users under the Ninth Malaysia Plan come 2008, we can expedite it if more developers work with us,” its chief executive officer Dr Mohamed Awang Lah told reporters after a signing ceremony between the company and property firm Asia Pacific Land Bhd (AP Land) and BTP Wireless Sdn Bhd in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Jaring now provides access, biz Solution and communications services to more than 700,000 subscribers across the country.

Under yesterday’s agreement, Jaring has been selected as a wireless broadband provider for Bandar Tasik Puteri in Rawang.

This means that residents in the township will be able to enjoy high-speed Internet access via WiFi connectivity which is embedded with VoIP service.

AP Land is the first housing developer in Malaysia to offer free wireless broadband service to house purchasers as a promotion.

Mohamed said a penetration rate of at least 20 per cent in the Bandar Tasik Puteri township is a good target for Jaring to start with.

AP Land senior executive director Low Gee Soon (right) giving a brief overview of Bandar Tasik Puteri township

Under the first phase of the project, it is targeting 6,500 households to subscribe to its broadband service.

AP Land managing director Low Su Ming said it was keen to include wireless facility as a basic amenity for house owners in its new projects.

“AP Land is taking the lead in this area, not only for the benefit of house owners in Bandar Tasik Puteri, but also as an obligation to Selangor’s vision of producing ICT savvy population,” she added.

All existing residents of Bandar Tasik Puteri can now apply to subscribe to the broadband service at a monthly subscription fee of RM84 which offers up to 1 Mbps access speed.

Jaring also plans to offer the same service to surrounding property developments such as Desa Puteri, Green Valley Park, Puteri Heights, Garden Height and Indah Height.