Malaysia’s TIME dotCom (TdC) is pressing forward with plans to inaugurate fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) services in the Klang Valley, the Star Online reports. It is understood that, with fixed line incumbent Telekom Malaysia™ continuing work on the construction of its high speed broadband (HSBB) project in partnership with the government, TdC is keen to have its fibre offering launched before its rival. The telco initially aims to offer the service in the Mont Kiara area near Kuala Lumpur, although it expects to expand to other parts of the Klang Valley, and across the country over time. TdC will officially launch the FTTH service to retail users in Mont Kiara next Tuesday, offering downlink speeds of up to 50Mbps; pricing for the packages offered has still not been finalised. If the operator sticks to its launch timetable, it will be responsible for the introduction of the country’s first commercial FTTH services; TM has conducted trials of its HSBB network several areas in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Bangsar, Subang Jaya and Shah Alam, but has yet to sell the service.
TdC has around 10,000 corporate customers in Malaysia and according to TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database, in June 2009 the operator announced plans to focus its attention on its data service offerings directed at the wholesale, enterprise and corporate market segments. It is understood that TdC plans to concentrate on these specific areas as it believes there is stronger growth potential. Commenting on the strategy Afzal Abdul Rahim, TdC’s CEO, said: ‘The focus on data service offerings will allow us to optimise our existing infrastructure and take advantage of the many opportunities currently available in the market place.’