For the first time in South East Asia, telecommunications operators have the opportunity to experience unique real-life High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA)/Enhanced Uplink Packet Access capabilities in full-mobility using a specially equipped test-drive van with the latest applications. This is made possible by Ericsson’s Mobile Broadband Roadshow located at its South East Asian headquarters in Cyberjaya, where Ericsson plays host to more than 140 representatives from its customers, regulators and media across South East Asia over a period of two weeks.
Through the live HSDPA/Enhanced Uplink Packet Access demo, Ericsson guests experience full mobility at a data speed of up to 10 megabit-per-second (Mbps) for downlink and up to 1.5 Mbps for uplink for web browsing, video and audio streaming. What takes minutes to download today, takes seconds with HSDPA. For example, at 2Mbps, a one-minute audio file takes four second to download while for uplink, a 1MB audio file takes eight second to send.
According to Andrei Dulski, Ericsson’s Marketing Manager for Radio Networks, the high speed and extensive coverage enabled by HSDPA (WCDMA-evolved) makes mobile broadband the quickest and the most cost-effective way to boost broadband penetration in the region.
“Leveraging on the existing WCDMA (3G network) or HSDPA mobile network is the best way to expand and provide telecommunication services, including broadband services outside of the urban areas. This is especially true for the South-East Asia region, which is gaining momentum in 3G launches,” he says, adding that Singapore and Malaysia have already launched their 3G services while others like Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand are currently at different stages of 3G trials.
In Malaysia, Ericsson has recently signed an agreement with Maxis to upgrade its WCDMA network to HSDPA. The network is expected to be ready for launch by the first quarter of next year.
Dulski also points out that apart from the availability of WCDMA/HSDPA services and expected launches in the near future, there are positive growth trends in the region’s mobile communication indicating that users are ready to embrace mobile broadband.
For example, the increasing popularity of laptop computers will fuel the demand for mobile broadband. According to an IDC PC Tracker, 2Q 2005 survey, the notebook unit shipment to some of the countries in SEA is expected to grow significantly within the next 4 years. The largest growth will be from Indonesia, with an expected Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 43.9% from 2004 to 2009 followed by Bangladesh with 37.8%, Malaysia with 21.2%, Philippines with 20%, Thailand with 17.7% and Singapore with 9.5%, all within the same period of time.
Laptops prices, which are on a rapid decline, also make it possible for more people to afford their own laptops. Laptop vendors have come up with entry level laptops that cost the same as a high-end PDA mobile phone. For example, an entry level branded laptop can be purchased at about US$550, the same price as a PDA mobile phone.
The region’s phenomenal mobile penetration growth has also shown that people prefer to be mobile. In Q3 this year, mobile subscribers were growing at a rate of around 5 million a month. There are around 137 million mobile subscribers in South East Asia today, representing 20% of Asia Pacific’s total number of mobile subscribers.
Addressing reporters in Cyberjaya today, Alfred Ling, Head of New Sales for Ericsson South East Asia says: “Mobile broadband offers a wealth of possibilities for consumers, from improved health care, security and better access to education to personal communication and access, information and entertainment –all of which will bring us a step closer towards becoming an information-rich society.”
“Bringing mobile broadband services to the people of the region realises our vision for Communication for All,” says Ling, adding that Ericsson believes in an all-communicating world where telecommunications is available for all, irrespective of where there are.
Quoting telemedicine as an example, he explains that with mobile broadband, medical practitioners who are in remote areas with no fixed line access can use their laptops to connect to hospital databases and tap into medical expertise located at a distant location. Having immediate access to the right information and consultation will allow these medical practitioners to provide the right medical treatment and care that may save a patient’s life.
The education sector is also another area which will benefit greatly from mobile broadband, especially for students who are living in the rural, remote or under-served areas. Mobile broadband will allow these students to have access to the Internet and even without a proper school building, they can still get an equal chance to receive education via distance learning.
Ericsson is taking a leading role in helping 3G operators realise the mobile broadband opportunity and is already at the forefront with HSDPA solutions leveraging on its leadership in WCDMA. Among the more recent milestones in this area are: Ericsson HSDPA solution is already live on commercial hardware and software in 15 countries around the world including Asia. MTN, in South Africa, is now looking at HSDPA as the wireless alternative to ADSL. Ericsson has also upgraded Vodafone K.K.’s commercial network to support HSDPA in central parts of Tokyo, as well as Cingular’s 3G network to offer live HSDPA in Dallas/Fort Worth.
As the undisputed leader in radio network technology, Ericsson has to date supplied 43 out of 77 commercially launched WCDMA networks. The strength of this position allows Ericsson to ensure that mobile broadband will drive long-term profitable growth in the telecom industry and become a significant revenue source for our customers.
Ericsson is shaping the future of Mobile and Broadband Internet communications through its continuous technology leadership. Providing innovative solutions in more than 140 countries, Ericsson is helping to create the most powerful communication companies in the world.
Read more at http://www.ericsson.com/press
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Azlyn Abdul Rahman – Media Relations Manager, Ericsson Malaysia
Phone: +60 16 336 3327
Dewi Widiyanti – Head of Communications, Ericsson Indonesia
Phone: +62 818 111 162
Jacinta Ong – Head of Communications, Ericsson Singapore
Phone: +65 9 677 2918
