KUALA LUMPUR: (27 Nov): YTL e-Solutions Berhad (YTLE) Executive Chairman and Managing Director, Tan Sri Dr. Francis Yeoh said he’s confident the company will launch its Y-MAX WiMAX service commercially nationwide in 2009.

Under the collaboration, Cisco will build and integrate YTLE's WiMAX network including the billing systems, IP Core, Operating Support System, Proactive Network Operating Center (PNOC) and Interoperability Testing Labs to help YTLE operationalise and launch the WiMAX service next year.

Last August, Y-MAX Networks Sdn Bhd (Y-MAX), a subsidiary of YTLE announced it WiMAX service for selected corporate customers in Bukit Bintang area, however no packaging or pricing were announced.

When asked about YTLE's plans on packages and pricing for WiMAX on 27 Nov, Tan Sri Yeoh said “ You should attend our upcoming press conference as we will reveal more (about it)” but he did not say when that press conference would be.

YTLE together with REDtone, Packet-1 and Asiaspace were awarded 2.3Ghz WiMAX license from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) in March last year and as part of the license agreement, all for of them must provide WiMAX coverage of least 25% of human populated areas of Malaysia by the end of this year.

The YTLE-Cisco collaboration will let YTLE’s Y-MAX WiMAX network handle voice and data traffic for up to 9 million subscribers.