Asia Telecommunications granted MVNO status

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has issued Asia Telecommunications with a licence enabling it to operate as the country’s first mobile virtual network operator (MVNO). Under the terms of the NSP (National Service Provider) licence the operator will be able to issue its own SIM cards, operate its own mobile switching centre and set pricing plan that are fully independent from those offered by the host network operator. It plans to start offering location-based services, enterprise connectivity, mobile TV, and mass media and video gateways in 2006. Asia Telecommunications is currently a provider of voice, fax and value added services to the corporate sector and recently expanded its portfolio to the consumer market.