Malaysian firm proposes Cebu Internet connection

Prosat Technologies in Malaysia has proposed for a joint venture with the Cebu provincial government for the establishment of an Internet connection, using WiMAX technology, covering the entire province.

Andre Foresti, Prosat chief executive officer and Stephen Chia, chief operating officer, visited Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and presented to the Provincial Economic Enterprise Council their proposal for a high-speed broadband wireless network infrastructure for the province.

The economic enterprise council has reportedly started reviewing the proposal. If this is approved, even remote barangays will be able to get Internet connections, the officials said.

“Our vision is to develop an effective broadband wireless telecommunications facility to support government and industries, based on open global standards,” said Chia.

Cesar Atienza, Capitol consultant on information technology, said the proposal came at an opportune time when the province needs to provide high schools with Internet connection.

So far, only 42 percent of high schools in the province have been provided, with the Capitol distributing at least 10 computers to every school as part of its program to bring information and communication technology to the municipalities.

“Existing Internet service providers are still looking for commercial viability. They won’t go beyond the Poblacion, because doing so has no attractive commercial returns and they could not survive,” said Atienza.

Atienza said the two Prosat top executives visited Cebu last year for the ICT summit, and was “encouraged by what the governor told them.” The company has 20 years of experience in information technology, and has established such projects in America, Europe, and Asia, he said.

WiMAX, or the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, is a telecommunications technology aimed at providing wireless data over long distances in a variety of ways, from point-to-point links to full mobile cellular type access.

WiMAX is described as “a standards-based technology enabling the delivery of last mile wireless broadband access as an alternative to cable and DSL.”

According to Wikipedia, an on-line dictionary, the bandwidth and reach of WiMAX make it suitable for the following potential applications: Connecting Wi-Fi hotspots with each other and to other parts of the Internet; providing a wireless alternative to cable and DSL for last mile broadband access; and providing high-speed data and telecommunications services, among others. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/RAE