A local provider, Packet One Networks Sdn Bhd (P1), has received a boost from Intel Capital, the chipmaker’s global investment arm, in the form of an RM50mil convertible bond to help P1 in its WiMAX service capital expenditure over the next four years in Kuala Lumpur for the Kuala Lumpur Wireless City project.

WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) is a standards-based technology enabling delivery of last-mile wireless broadband access as an alternative to cable and digital subscriber line connections.

P1 is rolling out its WiMAX commercial service from June 2008. As a public-listed company, P1 needs to seek approval from the regulatory body and its shareholders before it can proceed to access the Intel fund. The process is expected to be concluded in Q3 this year.

The announcement of the deal was made during the World Congress on Information Technology 2008 (WCIT 2008) at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on Monday.

At the same Congress, Bill Gates made a five-minute virtual appearance. A 4.6m holographic projection of the billionaire enthralled the 400 strong audience at the Congress yesterday.

The image was shot in high definition and projected onto plastic foil which was stretched out in the centre’s Plenary Hall. The result was life-like but not so impressive as seen by fellow blogger, Davidlian at his blog, Davidlian Says.

Microsoft claimed this was the first holographic appearance of Gates anywhere in the world.

Rendering work was done by local entertainment company Fat Boys Records Sdn Bhd and involved about a dozen specialists.

The holographic Gates spoke about the wonders of computing power and how it was growing and creating more opportunities worldwide.

“There are one billion people (in the world) who have a personal computer each but there are five billion others who don’t. Microsoft also wants to reach these people.”

So with these statement, I believe the world of IT is beginning to show promises in this part of the world and so does the internet business. More opportunities worldwide.

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