MAXIS PARTNERS MEASAT TO PROVIDE HIGH-SPEED, SATELLITE BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY TO CUSTOMERS ACROSS MALAYSIA

Affordable broadband access readily available in remote and underserved areas, via MEASAT-5

Kuala Lumpur, 16 November 2011

Maxis Berhad (Maxis), the country’s leading integrated communications service provider, today announced its agreement with MEASAT Broadband (International) Ltd, a subsidiary of MEASAT Global Bhd (MEASAT), to provide affordable, high-speed satellite broadband connectivity to its customers nationwide, especially to those living in areas where terrestrial infrastructure is not available or limited. Maxis has signed on as an anchor partner of the MEASAT-5 satellite (formerly known as IPStar Malaysia), a satellite that is designed for high-speed communications over an Internet Protocol platform, facilitating two-way broadband connectivity, products and solutions.

With this system, which has already been rolled out, Maxis will be able to extend its wide range of services to remote areas all over Malaysia via its VSAT technology, which operates over the MEASAT-5 satellite. As a result, rural communities, businesses and government agencies will be able to benefit from the same level and experience of broadband connectivity as customers connected to terrestrial networks in urban areas. They will be able to readily enjoy a better broadband experience in terms of higher data rate, faster service deployment time and lower costs.

Fitri Abdullah, Maxis’ Senior Vice President of Enterprise and Government Business, said, “We believe the technology brought about by Maxis through this partnership will act as a catalyst to enhance our customers’ communication experience, such as enriching the rural students’ learning experience, providing rural health care, and enabling new business activities in the tourism industry, agriculture and forestry research collaboration as well as other rural-based enterprises. In short, we are unleashing full business potential to corporate and enterprise clients operating in remote areas, and we are opening up a new digital way of life for rural communities and introducing them to a world beyond their borders. Maxis is empowering them with the necessary communication tools to help them bridge the digital divide and to show them how the internet and technology can enrich their lives in a meaningful and sustainable way.”

“To date, Maxis has over 12,600 base transceiver stations and over 11,000 km of fibre connectivity deployed across Malaysia. This effectively enables 2G and 3G coverage for 95 per cent and 80 per cent of the population respectively. Adding to that MEASAT-5’s seven spot beams located across Malaysia, Maxis is well-positioned to provide broadband access to our customers all over the country, especially to the rural and underserved areas, thus paving the way for these communities to use broadband technology as a means for sustained economic growth and enhanced quality of life,” Fitri added.

“The agreement with Maxis is fundamental to MEASAT’s core vision in supporting the development of the ICT industry in Malaysia,” said Farah Suhanah Tun Ahmad Sarji, Director of MEASAT Broadband (International) Ltd. “The MEASAT-5 satellite will allow MEASAT to expand its support to local telecommunications companies as well as enabling both parties to provide internet connectivity into the rural community in Malaysia, in line with the National Broadband Initiative project.”

This new agreement complements Maxis’ existing suite of access solutions to provide integrated services to customers anywhere in Malaysia. With this satellite communications system, previously isolated communities in rural areas can now experience a whole suite of services in a faster and more effective manner, including interactive distance learning, e-medicine and rural communications.

Maxis’ investment in this project is also part of its active corporate responsibility initiative in providing more Malaysians - especially those living in rural and underserved areas – access to the digital platform. Maxis is proud to be associated with the meaningful Kampung Tanpa Wayar project, an initiative identified under the National Broadband Initiative that is expected to help accelerate the national broadband penetration target. As part of its efforts to help rural communities bridge the digital divide, Maxis has provided WiFi infrastructure powered by VSAT technology to community members in Kampung Chennah in Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan, as well as in Bario and Ba’kelalan in Sarawak. Additionally, Maxis also provided training in the required soft-skills that helped members of the community leverage the power of internet to the fullest, in ways that benefit their community.

The capacity on the satellite will also allow Maxis to provide cost effective backhaul for 3G and WiFi services in remote and rural areas and to support Government initiatives including the Universal Service Provisioning (USP) to areas with little or no terrestrial connectivity. Maxis is also the leader in providing VSAT services to the business segment in Malaysia, especially in the downstream oil and gas industries.

“Moving forward, Maxis hopes to further our support for the Government’s ongoing initiatives on achieving greater broadband penetration, especially for communities in underserved and remote areas of Malaysia. This agreement is definitely an important step in bridging the digital divide. This is also a win-win partnership for both Maxis and MEASAT – a partnership that will deliver clear tangible benefits to Malaysia as it will improve connectivity to all parts of the nation,” Fitri concluded.