Malaysian WiMAX operator Packet One Networks (P1) has revealed that it expects to launch commercial services in East Malaysia by July 2010, according to Bernama. P1 is understood to have already identified 48 sites in Sabah for network deployment in 2010, while a further 58 have been earmarked for 2011, and these include the Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Tawau districts. In addition the operator has indicated that it will consider expanding the service to other rural areas should the demand arise. In November 2009 P1 chief executive Michael Lai said that the operator was planning to spend between MYR200 million and MYR300 million (USD58.5 million and USD87.8 million) on its rollout in Sabah.
P1’s corporate office vice president Ir Ismail Haron has also revealed that since its launch in August 2008 the wireless broadband provider has signed up some 120,000 customers, with 41% of those in Selangor. Of the total the company claims that 33.15% were new broadband users, having never subscribed to a high speed internet service previously.