Reuters is reporting that Telekom Malaysia™ will not have to open access to its high speed broadband (HSBB) network until 2015, according to the contract posted on the Malaysian Ministry of Energy, Water and Communications’ website. ‘The implementation of full access service… shall be deferred for seven years from 16 September 2008 to 15 September 2015,’ the document said. The news comes following the announcement earlier this month that TM had won the contract to build the new high speed network, with the incumbent due to invest approximately 80% of the MYR11.31 billion (USD3.3 billion) project.
Malaysian news source Bernama is also reporting that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will closely monitor the implementation of the HSBB project, particularly the first seven years, citing the MCMC’s chief operating officer, Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi. Tarmizi claims TM should be allowed the opportunity to recover its interest in the project but denied claims that the seven-year period would allow the operator to monopolise the market, saying, ‘If there is any monopolising of network, MCMC will take action. As the regulator, we can take action if there are any wrongdoings by any licence holders who are anti-competitive.’ Additionally the MCMC will review the HSBB network every three years as part of its commitment to ensuring a competitive and efficient service.