Kulim Hi-Tech Park to host wireless broadband tests

By Marina Emmanuel
The New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad

Thursday 18 August 2006

KEDAH'S Kulim Hi-Tech Park (KHTP), which will be launched by the Prime Minister today, is set to host Malaysia's first commercial trials of wireless broadband services.Kulim Technology Park Corp Bhd (KTPC) group chief executive officer Datuk Ahmad Shukri Tajuddinsaid plans are under way among Telekom Malaysia, Intel, Alcatel and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to carry out the trials for the wireless project."Once implemented the park will be the first test-bed for WiMAX in the country," he told the BusinessTimes.

WiMAX or Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access has been touted as an emerging technology that promises to cover entire cities with high-speed wireless Internet links.It can be used for a number of applications, including "last mile" broadband connections, hotspots andcellular backhaul, and high-speed enterprise connectivity for businesses.

Ahmad Shukri said the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) Malaysia Cyber-City at the park which encompasses 1,612ha, is currently home to six MSC-status companies."We expect to have 10 MSC-status companies at the park by the end of this year, 20 companies by 2007 and 30 MSC-firms here by 2008," he added.

KTPC will plough in RM50 million to upgrade amenities at the park over the next two years. This will involve increasing work spaces, infrastructure and support services for MSC-status companies.The park also boasts three "intelligent" buildings which include KTPC's Information TechnologyCentre, its Techno Centre and the park's business centre.

Ahmad Shukri also said that plans are in place to develop another RM20 million technopreneurship building at the park since space at the current one was fast being used up.Since 1996, the park has been home to 35 companies with investments totalling RM21 billion.Among the high-technology firms which are engaged mostly in hardware manufacturing related to information and communications technology products are Intel, Celestica, Infineon Technologies,Silterra Malaysia, Fuji Electric Malaysia, Toyo and Showa. 


About Silterra Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.:

Silterra Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. is a leading semiconductor wafer foundry that provides advanced foundry standard CMOS logic, high-voltage and mixed-signal/RF technologies. The company’s wafer fab has a designed capacity of 40,000 eight-inch wafers per month. Silterra, which is committed to world-class service and environmental friendliness, received Notable Mention in the Malaysian Prime Minister’s Hibiscus Award competition for Environmental Performance in 2003 and 2005. The company is ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001 certified. Silterra’s headquarters and factory are located in Kulim, Malaysia, and has offices in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), San Jose (California, USA) and Hsinchu (Taiwan). For additional information on Silterra or its services, please visit www.silterra.com.