Malaysia's Packet One Networks (P1) has delayed the launch of its WiMAX network until the third quarter of this year. The launch and network rollout was expected later this month, but the company says that it wants to carry out further trials of its initial WiMAX service. The current trials are being carried out in parts of the Klang Valley, including the Kuala Lumpur City Centre area.

Company CEO, Michael Lai told the press “As soon as we are happy with the quality of the service, we’ll be ready to go to market,” although he declined to comment on what the concerns the company has with its current trial network.

P1 plans to provide WiMAX coverage for 25 percent of the population in Malaysia (6.5 million people) by the end of 2008 and 40 percent of the population in Malaysia (10 million people) by the end of 2010. P1 expects to provide WiMAX coverage to 60 percent of the nation's population - including urban, suburban and rural areas - within five years.

Alcatel-Lucent is the primary provider of the WiMAX infrastructure, under a US$71 million contract which was announced in January this year.

P1 is one of the four Malaysian WiMAX 2.3Ghz license-holders.

Source:cellular-news