YCM CEO Series 21

On 24th Feb 2010, we had an honour to be given a speaking opportunity by the Young Corporate Malaysians (YCM) for its CEO Talk program. It was a full house in Nikko Hotel, the largest audience in its 21 series so far, and Wing had a great time talking to the young professionals about his education, career phases, wireless technologies, Malaysian communications landscape and opportunities, our exciting 4G journey as well as ‘mYprize’ challenge.

Below are series of video clips from the talk.

YCM CEO Series 21 –
Wing K Lee, CEO of YTL Communications

Part 01: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TY6pc_T7gqg
Part 02: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1xjHKZTB7c
Part 03: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWf1ZgWAtUY
Part 04: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1giRSzjL7Ro
Part 05: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9UxU0eTewY
Part 06: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qci-tVo4h0
Part 07: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YoeRdwsUd0
Part 08: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmQT66Yj7VI
Part 09: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74PL78uHPpg
Part 10: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_-l6Wqis-4
Part 11: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoD-49VbkmE
Part 12: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mCwqNhS5Gk


Corp Comm

Signing with Samsung

On 24 February, 2010, YTL Comms again entered into contracts with Samsung Electronics (SAMSUNG) to increase the numbers of base stations for its nationwide network buildout and to acquire innovative in-building solutions for superior in-building coverage.

Under the arrangement, SAMSUNG will provide additional 500 WiMAX 2.3 GHz radio base stations to expand coverage. This is in addition to the 1900 base stations currently being deployed. SAMSUNG will also supply 2000 units of smaller base stations, or picocells, for In-building network coverage. SAMSUNG picocells are innovative, small and cost effective base stations and best suited to provide superior in-building coverage.

The agreement underscores YTL Communications’ aggressive pursuit of building toward a broadband nation and marks SAMSUNG’s dedicated and full support of YTL Communications’ deployment of 4G services in Malaysia. SAMSUNG will share its WiMAX expertise and provide YTL Communications with best-in-class WiMAX base stations and picocells, enabling YTL Communications’ vision of creating a nationwide 4G network to bridge the digital divide.

“Action speaks stronger than words. The acquisition of additional base stations and picocells from SAMSUNG is a firm commitment we are making to deliver our vision of a nationwide network to serve all Malaysians.” said YTL Communications CEO Wing K Lee. “Together with our world class partners, we shall soon deliver mobile Internet to the urban and rural communities across the nation,” added Lee.

Corp Comm

Signing with GCT Semiconductor

On 22 February, 2010, YTL Comms announced a purchase commitment of one million units of WiMAX single-chips including GCT’s GDM7205 WiMAX single chips and GDM7215 WiMAX/WiFi dual-mode single chips from GCT® Semiconductor, a US based, leading supplier of Mobile WiMAX™ solutions to the global market.

The purchase agreement shows our commitment and marks GCT’s dedication to fully support YTL Comms with their deployment of a nationwide 4G service in Malaysia. GCT will share technical expertise and provide YTL Comms with the most advanced and lowest power WiMAX chips available on the market today, making YTL Comms’ vision of creating a complete ecosystem with nationwide mobile Internet service using 4G a reality. YTL Comms will consign the purchased one million units to key ODMs selected to provide innovative 4G devices to YTL Comms this year.

“Today’s announcement marks another important milestone for YTL Communications,” said its CEO Wing K. Lee. “Central to our ecosystem building effort is to drive economy of scale through our effort to build the world’s first nationwide 4G network. This significant order – amongst the largest in WiMAX history – ensures our future customers will have the best price-performance in 4G products and solutions. GCT is a key player in the 4G chipset ecosystem with its WiMAX solution that offers world-class leading power consumption and mobility performance. We are confident that with GCT’s market-proven solution and expertise, we will achieve our goal to leapfrog Malaysia into a Broadband Nation”, added Lee.

Corp Comm

mYprize Launch @ CES 2010

On January 8, 2010, YTL Comms officially announces the USD$1,000,000 ‘mYprize’ Global Developer Challenge at the International CES 2010. The unique competition is designed to inspire entrepreneurs and innovators around the world to create exciting new 4G mobile Internet products and services for Malaysian deployment, and further positions the country as a regional centre of 4G excellence.

‘mYprize’ is a global competition aimed at challenging developers to create original applications and devices for YTL Communications’ nationwide 4G mobile Internet network set to be commercially launched in Malaysia later this year. YTL Communications envisions a modern broadband nation enhanced by the Internet and supports technological innovation. In 2009, it created the YTL 4G Innovation Network and opened a testing centre at Sentul Park near Kuala Lumpur that will help to make the mobile Internet a reality throughout Malaysia.

Developers can submit their entries from Jan 8, 2010 until Aug 31, 2010. Ideas will be judged based on criteria such as the originality of the concept and its commercial potential. Finalists will be invited to demonstrate their products in person to a panel of expert and community judges. Winners will be announced in September 2010 and cash prizes will be awarded in multiple categories:

Top Applications: 1st: USD$200,000; 2nd: USD$120,000; 3rd: USD$80,000
Top 4G Devices: 1st: USD$200,000; 2nd: USD$120,000; 3rd: USD$80,000
Malaysian Only Prize: USD$120,000
Top Device Idea: USD$40,000
Top Application Idea: USD$40,000

Winning entries may be developed for mass deployment to customers upon launch of YTL Communications’ nationwide 4G network in Malaysia in the second half of 2010. Interested developers can go to the ‘mYprize’ portal at http://www.myprize.my/, to learn more details, register and submit their entries online.

“We believe this exciting ‘mYprize’ Global Developer Challenge is a strategic impetus in propelling Malaysia into a truly cutting-edge incubation centre for 4G innovations,” said Wing K Lee, Chief Executive Officer of YTL Communications. “We are confident that the applications and devices will help accelerate our mission of providing affordable, world-class quality products and services that improve the way people in Malaysia learn, work and play.”

“Our YTL 4G Innovation Network expands the 4G ecosystem and enables the next wave of mobile Internet innovations by connecting the best minds across the globe in developing new consumer products via YTL’s nationwide 4G mobile Internet network,” Lee continued. “The network is linked with the Clearwire 4G WiMAX Innovation Network in Silicon Valley, a global hotbed for innovations, and provides developers opportunities for commercialization in Malaysia and beyond. Developers are able to incubate their ideas, with support from the world leaders in mobile Internet, giving people in Malaysia a new level of mobile Internet experience with products and services optimized for a high bandwidth, low latency 4G mobile Internet.”

At the press announcement was Datuk Badlisham Ghazali, Chief Executive Officer of Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC), a Malaysian Government Development Agency, driver of MSC Malaysia’s National ICT initiative. “MSC Malaysia is excited to be witnessing this announcement of mYprize at a global landmark event at CES, as it truly shows the high level of commitment from YTL Communications in establishing a regional Center of Excellence for 4G Mobile Internet Innovation, thus also promoting and stimulating an innovative culture amongst Malaysians,” said Badlisham. He also expressed his enthusiasm that the competition will generate worldwide interest from anyone with a great idea, as this will also be a platform for Malaysia to produce entrepreneurs and to attract innovators globally. MSC Malaysia’s presence at the event exemplified collaboration between the public and private sector (MDeC and YTL) in leapfrogging Malaysia into an innovation-led economy as envisioned by the Prime Minister.\

Corp Comm

Partnering with TM

On 18 Nov 2009, YTL Comms signed a Wholesale Ethernet Service and Master Tenancy for Infrastructure Sharing Agreement with Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM), thus bringing the promise of a truly converged seamless broadband connectivity one step closer to reality.

The 15-year agreement inked by two of Malaysia’s most recognisable brands will enable YTL Communications to leverage on TM’s nationwide Wholesale Ethernet service, while riding on the High Speed Broadband (“HSBB”) infrastructure, and TM’s other telecommunications facilities, to deliver 4G services nationwide by 2010.

The partnership agreements were signed by Tan Sri Dato’ (Dr) Francis Yeoh, YTL Group Managing Director and Wing K. Lee, Chief Executive Officer of YTL Communications, while TM was represented by Group Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa, and Executive Vice President, Wholesale Business, Rafaai Samsi.

Tan Sri Dato’ (Dr) Francis Yeoh hailed the collaboration between YTL Communications and TM as a pivotal and strategic move that will help Malaysia achieve its vision of being a broadband nation and to have a complete eco-system that provides for a truly converged nationwide mobile internet service using 4G technology.

“We are extremely delighted with this collaboration with TM as both parties share a common goal to accelerate nationwide broadband penetration in Malaysia and bridge the digital divide in the country between the urban and rural populations.”

“Furthermore, YTL Communications’ nationwide 4G services will help Malaysia’s economy be truly innovation-led and will enable the country to be a centre of excellence for mobile internet technology,” Tan Sri Francis Yeoh declared while adding that YTL’s mission is to provide affordable, world-class quality products and services that improve the way people in Malaysia learn, work and play.

Corp Comm

Launch of YTL 4G Innovation Network

On Nov 10, 2009, YTL Comms announced the formation of a 4G Innovation Network in Malaysia incooperation with some of the preeminent players in technology, including: Cisco, Clearwire, GCT Semiconductor and SAMSUNG.

High-ranking executives from each participating company marked the official start of the initiative during aceremony at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre witnessed by the Prime Minister Y.A.B Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak.

To inspire the developers who take part in the 4G Innovation Network to create exciting new products and services that address consumers’ needs, YTL Comms will sponsor a global competition, the mYprize. A total of USD 1 million will be awarded to help entrepreneurs and innovators realize their bestideas and then offer them to consumers on a nationwide level.

Developers are invited to visit: http://www.myprize.my/.“YTL Communications is proud to take a leadership role amidst this prestigious group and equally as proud of Malaysia for having what it takes to attract interest andcommitment from top players in technology,” said Tan Sri Dato’ (Dr) Francis Yeoh . “Together, we will help to advance the country’s mission to become a truly innovation-led economy as well as YTL’s mission to provide affordable, world-class quality products and services that improve the way people in Malaysia learn, work and play."

YTL Comms CEO Wing K. Lee added, “The InnovationNetwork will facilitate the development of applications and devices that will take advantage of 4G mobile Internet and which will give people in Malaysia a truly connected lifestyle and new levels of communication freedom.”

Corp Comm

Partnering with Samsung

On 23rd April 2009, YTL Comms signed a contract with SAMSUNG for the implementation of a nationwide mobile internet network. Under the arrangement, SAMSUNG will provide a comprehensive WiMAX network solution including WiMAX base stations, end-to-end IP Multimedia Service (IMS) solutions, and a range of Mobile Internet Devices (MID).

With this contract SAMSUNG will be supplying not only network equipment, but more importantly, the world’s 1st WiMAX-enabled handsets. These handsets will allow subscribers to have access to a high-quality, converged voice and high-speed broadband network all over the country.

Leveraging on its partnership with CLEARWIRE and CISCO, this contract completes YTL Comms’ comprehensive network, offering an all-IP (Internet Protocol) converged mobile internet service which includes high-speed data, messaging and voice.

Malaysia will be the 1st country outside the US to have an ecosystem that provides a converged mobile internet service throughout the country using WiMAX technology.

YTL Comms and its partners, namely SAMSUNG and CISCO, are committed to developing Malaysia as a hub of WiMAX excellence, encouraging investment and growth in Malaysia through the development of new local facilities, professional resources, training, manufacturing and logistics support. This will be the catalyst for the creation of state-of-the-art infrastructure, devices, applications and content utilizing WiMAX technology.

“Having invested the time and resources, I am confident that we have found the right solution for Malaysia which is a combination of nationwide implementation, with proven world class partners, to create a centre for WiMAX excellence and investment. We will bring seamless converged mobile internet service which includes high-speed data, messaging and voice to Malaysians, any place, anytime and anywhere throughout the country,” said Tan Sri Dato’ (Dr) Francis Yeoh.


Corp Comm