NATIONWIDE broadband penetration is key to Malaysia’s aspiration to transform into a knowledge economy. Broadband connectivity would provide high-speed access to information and entertainment, enable the provision of better Web-enabled services and facilitate speedier communications.

But the main stumbling block to realising this vision has always been the last-mile connection.

Allied Digital Infonet Berhad (ADIB) believes that it has the solution to the problem through its broadband multimedia wireless last-mile solution named AIDAAS, or Advance Information Delivery and Access Solutions, which revolves around hybrid terrestrial satellite transponder technology.

Company director Aida Mohd Adib said the commercial availability of AIDAAS, after the success of its trial run in different locations in the Klang Valley, will enable Malaysians to enjoy high-speed Internet, stability and mobility at an affordable price.

“The objective of AIDAAS technology is to complement and improve the existing wired and wireless technologies in areas such as speed, capacity, reaching the end user, complement the nation’s objective of nationwide connectivity (last-mile solution), provide a fast-deployment wireless solution, to provide an environmentally-friendly technology and most importantly, fulfilling the National MyICMS 886 strategy,” she shared with Tech&U.

Delving into its history, Aida said the indigenous home-grown ideas of developing AIDAAS techno-logy was mooted in 2005 with a co-joint research and development (R&D) effort between Malaysia and the Ukrainian, a country which has more than 50 years of experience on satellite technology.

“The trial run was carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of AIDAAS connectivity and stability, demonstrating reach of up to a

32-kilometre radius. The tests showed speeds up to 30Mbps (megabits per second) for broadband, lag-free video streaming/conferencing, high-definition content on IPTV (Internet protocol television) and clear calls with VoIP (voice-over Internet protocol). We are now ready and keen to partake in accelerating competition in the local broadband space and improve penetration while doing away with costs and major barrier,” Aida said.

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What is it? According to ADIB, AIDAAS is a digital video broadcast-satellite (DVB-S) transmitting terrestrially. This marriage makes the deployment of AIDAAS more economical as terrestrial transponders are a cheaper alternative to satellite transponders. The system has two components: the central station (CS) and the customer premises equipment (CPE).

The central station has a capacity of more than two gigabits per second (Gbps) for a radius more than 40km, which is connected to the telco’s network. It is designed with a low transmitting power and provides wider coverage area.

The CPE, which comprises an antenna dish and a set-top box, can receive up to 30Mbps throughput, which means that the maximum bandwidth or amount of data you can receive is 30Mbps.

The set-top box can be connected to any IT appliances with a normal network cable. The STB is intelligently designed to also have the capability to relay the information back to the CS wirelessly.

How it works. Elaborating on how the system works, Aida said AIDAAS is first connected to a telco’s network, and it transmits the data from the Internet through AIDAAS proprietary antenna.

“The AIDAAS antenna will re-transmit the data using satellite frequency terrestrially, which means that the data is transmitted wirelessly to your home. Then data is received in your homes/offices via an antenna dish and vice versa the data is reverted back to the telco’s network using the same antenna. The dish is connected to a set-up box, which is wired to your appliances such as your computer, TV, telephone and Wi-Fi access points,” she explained.

Looking forward. To date, a number of local and international (Australia, Thailand, the Philippines) telcos and other industry players have expressed interest in the technology and are planning to conduct their own trial runs.

Some of the telcos are in the process of acquiring the frequencies required to conduct the trial, Aida said.

“ADIB is relatively new to the IT Industry. We aim at making a mark in the local and international IT landscape with our offering of AIDAAS Wireless Broadband System by bringing forth the next evolution of wireless technology,” Aida said.

ADIB targets at facilitating and accelerating, a knowledge-based society in line with the Government’s directive leveraging on the “Reinventing Institutions” tag line.

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AIDAAS at a glance

Wireless: Wireless broadband solution revolving around satellite-based technology (Ku-band spectrum) transmitted terrestrially

Speed: Capable of providing up to 30Mbps bandwidth speed per user

Far reach: Each base station covers a radius of up to 50km

Environmental friendly: Transmitting power below one Watt

Stability: Uninterrupted services during heavy downpour (~65mm)

Multi-service: All-in-one service, broadband Internet, VoIP, video conferencing, IPTV, e-commerce and surveillance

The list of applications available to telcos on AIDAAS are:

Broadband Internet – 30Mbps maximum per user

Voice over IP (VoIP) – virtually free and crystal-clear calls

Video-conferencing – lag-free live video streaming

IPTV – high-definition of digital content

E-commerce – interactive business applications (fast food, movie tickets, stocks, e-mall)

Surveillance – liv -feed captured from CCTV (security, traffic, weather)