wiredInUSA November 2018

Marine repair contracts

E-commerce boost planned for Malaysia

Photo by Fancycrave on Unsplash

Dagang NeXchange Bhd’s part-owned subsidiary, DNeX Telco Services Sdn Bhd, has secured two marine fiber optic cable repair contracts from PT Bina Nusantara Perkasa. The first contract, worth $1.4 million, is for repair works on the SEA-US cable system in Davao, Philippines. The second contract, with a similar value, is for repair works on the Indonesia Global Gateway segment 13, near Palu, Makassar, and segment 15, near Manado, Indonesia. DNeX expected both projects to be completed within 29 days, with an option for extension of up to 35 days. DNeX won its first fiber optic cable repair project in August this year, handling a marine fiber optic cable installation sub- contract for Telkom Infra in Indonesia. The project was awarded by the project’s main contractor, Pt Bina Nusantara Perkasa. Within the project DNeX is responsible for the design, construction and installation of 700km of fiber optic for two lines, Matanusa and SMPCS Patara, as part of the Indonesia Global Gateway cable system. DNeX will be working on the project with Japan’s Kokusai Cable Ship Co Ltd.

Gobind Singh Deo

Mobile companies focusing primarily on cellular business in Malaysia are required to get involved with laying more fiber optic cables. and multimedia minister, Gobind Singh Deo, said: “…we have got an objective to meet, which is to try to [lay more fiber optics] and connect the entire country as soon as possible, and all telecoms players will have to do their part. “It is also not just about fiber but also about last-mile connectivity and so forth. It is the whole eco-system that we need to build, and that is why all players will need to be involved.” Mobile players Maxis Bhd and Axiata Group Bhd are already in the fixed broadband space, but others will need to review business plans and capital expenditure requirements if they are to also get into fixed broadband services. The incumbents in the fast fixed broadband space are Telekom Malaysia Bhd and Time dotCom Bhd. Since taking over as minister, Gobind has said he wants fixed broadband prices to be halved, and speeds doubled. Malaysia’s communications

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wiredInUSA - November 2018