18 June 2013 - The Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AITI), the Directorate General Sumber Daya dan Perangkat Pos dan Informatika of Indonesia (DG SDPPI), the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA), have jointly announced their commitment to align with the Asia Pacific Telecommunity 700 MHz band plan.
Singapore, 18 June 2013 | For Immediate Release
The Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AITI), the Directorate General Sumber Daya dan Perangkat Pos dan Informatika of Indonesia (DG SDPPI), the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA), have jointly announced their commitment to align with the Asia Pacific Telecommunity 700 MHz band plan1. This was announced at the annual Infocomm Media Business Exchange 2013, Asia's largest infocomm and media platform.
With the increasing number of mobile subscribers and the upsurge of "bandwidth-hungry" applications, mobile broadband data traffic is expected to experience exponential growth in the near future. More radio frequency spectrums are required to accommodate this increasing demand. One promising spectrum band which offers large bandwidth of spectrum and hence improves data rates for mobile broadband is the 700 MHz band. The propagation characteristic of the 700 MHz band also enables wider coverage and improved indoor service.
Hj Yahkup Hj Menudin, AITI's Chief Executive, said, "This will particularly address the issues of mobile broadband coverage within underserved areas in Brunei Darussalam." He added that the alignment or harmonisation with the APT 700 MHz band will benefit neighbouring countries as well. "It will enable greater interoperability and facilitate international roaming between networks. Cross border co-ordination can be further enhanced as we adopt the same band plan. In addition, there will be economies of scale for the cost of mobile broadband equipment and devices," he said. "Considering the benefits, Brunei Darussalam is ready to make the 700 MHz band available for mobile broadband system."
Indonesia recognises the demand for greater mobile broadband services flexibility as well, and has strongly supported the APT 700 MHz band plan since the initiation of band harmonisation in Asia Pacific. Dr Muhammad Budi Setiawan, Director General of DG SDPPI noted, "This is also in line with the current regulation of our Master Plan for Digital Television, which allocates the 694-806 MHz for digital dividend in Indonesia."
Chairman of MCMC, Dato' Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi, also echoed Malaysia's support for the harmonisation. He said, "This commitment signifies an important step in regional harmonisation. A regionally harmonised 700 MHz band will be advantageous in many aspects, promoting greater cohesion technologically and socially, spurring growth and development in the industry and greater business community. We look forward to a united ASEAN "telecommunity" according the same commitment towards achieving this goal."
Mr Leong Keng Thai, Director-General (Telecoms & Post), IDA expressed his appreciation to AITI, DG SDPPI and MCMC for their constructive and cooperative approach that has enabled the four regulatory authorities to reach this common agreement to align with the APT 700 MHz band plan. "This marks an important milestone achieved by the four regulatory authorities. I hope that this collaboration could be further extended to other countries in this region, as this will help improve regional mobile roaming and allow the countries to meet growing demand for mobile broadband," he said.
The APT 700 MHz band plan aims to align and optimise the use of the freed broadcast spectrum after the analogue switch off2 , allowing greater flexibility for the deployment of mobile broadband services, using technologies such as 4G3. The harmonised use of the 700 MHz band for mobile broadband uses will improve regional mobile roaming and provide more competitive mobile broadband services.
JOINTLY ISSUED BY
THE AUTHORITY FOR INFO-COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY OF BRUNEI DARUSSALAM (AITI);
THE DIRECTORATE GENERAL SUMBER DAYA DAN PERANGKAT POS DAN INFORMATIKA (DG SDPPI) OF INDONESIA;
THE MALAYSIAN COMMUNICATIONS AND MULTIMEDIA COMMISSION (MCMC); AND
THE INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE (IDA)
About Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry
The Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AITI) is a statutory body established on 1st January 2003 by the AITI Order 2001 to function as telecommunications industry regulator, national radiofrequency manager and developer of Brunei Darussalam's ICT industry. For more news and information, visit www.aiti.gov.bn. For more news and information, please visit www.aiti.gov.bn.
For media clarification, please contact:
Hj Hadi Iskandar DP Hj Mohammad (Mr)
Manager, Stakeholder Relations
Email: iskandar.mohammad@aiti.gov.bn
About Directorate General Sumber Daya dan Perangkat Pos dan Informatika
The Directorate General Sumber Daya dan Perangkat Pos dan Informatika (DG-SDPPI), Ministry of Communication and Information Technology of the Republic of Indonesia is focused on regulating, supervising and controlling the utilization of national resources as well as equipment of posts and information technology. These functions are to ensure that all people across Indonesia share the benefits. For more news and information, visit www.postel.go.id
For media clarification, please contact:
Gatot Dewabroto (Mr)
Chief of Information Centre and Public Relations
Email: gatot_b@postel.go.id
About Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is a statutory body established under the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission Act 1998 (MCMCA) which implements and promotes the Government's national policy objectives for the communications and multimedia sector. MCMC regulates and promotes the development of the communications and multimedia industry which includes telecommunications, broadcasting, and online activities, postal services and digital certification. The Communication and Multimedia Act provides that MCMC undertakes a policy implementation role, while policy decision-making is vested with the Minister. The Minister may also give policy directions to the Commission. For more news and information, visit www.skmm.gov.my.
For media clarification, please contact:
Markus Lim (Mr)
Deputy Director, Strategic Communications Department
E-mail: markus.lim@cmc.gov.my
About Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) is committed to growing Singapore into a dynamic global infocomm hub. IDA uses an integrated approach to developing infocommunications in Singapore. This involves nurturing a competitive telecoms market as well as a conducive business environment with programmes and schemes for both local and international companies. For more news and information, visit www.ida.gov.sg.
For media clarification, please contact:
Adrian CHAN (Mr)
Manager, Corporate and Marketing Communication
Email: adrian_km_chan@imda.gov.sg
Notes to Editor:
1The Asia Pacific Telecommunity 700 MHz band plan is a vital document which contains radio frequency allocation for various wireless services in a particular country and accompanying notes on constraints when using the frequencies. Each band plan defines the frequency range to be included, how channels are to be defined, and what will be carried on those channels. The authorised frequency bands are defined by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and local regulating agencies. For more information, please visit http://www.apt.int/sites/default/files/APT-AWF-REP-14_APT_Report_Harmonized_Freq_Arrangement.doc
2The analogue switch off refers to the completion of the switchover from analogue to digital broadcasting. ASEAN is targeting to complete the transition by 2020. For more information, please visit: http://www.asean.org/?static_post=joint-media-statement-10th-conference-of-the-asean-ministers-responsible-for-information-amri
34G refers to “4th Generation cellular mobile technology”.
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