PACKET One Networks (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (P1) says its next-generation wireless broadband service — P1 W1MAX — is expected to be available in Sarawak by early next year.

Its chief executive officer Michael Lai said P1 W1MAX, the country’s leading wimax telco, was primed to meet the tremendous demand for broadband in Sarawak which is a key market as reflected by the progressive growth in household broadband penetration in recent years.

“Sarawak grew its household broadband penetration from 9.7 per cent in 2007 to 13.6 per cent at the end of last year and aims to increase this further to 50 per cent by 2010,” he said in a statement today.

“With P1 slotted to be in Sarawak next year, we’re looking forward to meeting this massive demand whilst spreading the benefits of next-generation wireless broadband,” he said adding that P1 was on track to meet its target of covering 35 per cent of Malaysia’s population within this year.

He also said that with one of the fastest wireless broadband networks in the country, P1 expected to contribute positively to Sarawak’s economy, especially within the small and medium enterprises and industries.

With P1 W1MAX, the broadband access in rural and underserved communities within the state would become a possibility, he said.

Recently, P1 announced that it had begun covering key locations within Ipoh, Kuantan and Kuala Terengganu.

With key markets in the Klang Valley, Johor, Penang, Kedah, Perak, Pahang and Terengganu now covered with P1 W1MAX, P1 effectively has the nation