PENANG, Malaysia, Sept. 19 /Xinhua-PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Residents in Penang will soon be able to enjoy free wireless Internet services which will be provided by Hotgate Technology (M) Sdn Bhd (Hotgate), an Internet-enabled service provider, under its ‘Penang Free Wi-Fi’ project.
Hotgate will as a start, provide the facility at selected locations in Penang island as early as this month. The locations will be extended in phases to eventually cover some 750 hotspots including those in the mainland over a 15-month period.
The company will be working closely with the Penang state government to roll out the services.
Hotgate, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hotgate Technology Inc (OTC Bulletin Board: HTGT), is partnering REDtone Telecommunications Sdn Bhd (REDtone) in its initiative to offer free Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) services on the 2.4GHz spectrum to Penangites.
Hotgate will design, build, own, operate and maintain a Wi-Fi network made up of approximately 750 wireless access points (AP) that will be linked by a combination of ADSL (asymmetrical digital subscriber lines) and WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) with Wi-Fi as the last-mile.
Aside from the fact that it is free, the service is expected to be well received by the public as it is accessible via laptops equipped with Wi-Fi capability which are widely available in the market currently. Handphones with Wi-Fi capability will also be able to access the free service.
According to Hotgate chairman, Michael Yang, public areas such as recreational parks, libraries, bus terminals, train stations and community centres will now be turned into Internet-friendly places for the public at large through the ‘Penang Free Wi-Fi’ project.
“The ‘Penang Free Wi-Fi’ initiative on the whole, supports the government’s efforts to build a stronger Internet penetration in the country. It is also an effective way to assist the Penang state government to bridge the digital divide between the rural and urban areas.
“As a leading provider of hospitality solutions and Internet media services in the Asia Pacific region, Hotgate is pleased to team up with REDtone to bring this free Wi-Fi service to the people of Penang and to help the country achieve its Internet penetration objectives,” he said at the pilot launch of the “Penang Free Wi-Fi” services today.
Present at the event was the Penang chief minister, Lim Guan Eng.
REDtone is a 100%-owned subsidiary of REDtone International Bhd, a leading alternative communications and multimedia innovator and service provider.
“The free services will be rolled out in five phases starting from now and is expected to be completed by the end of 2009,” Yang said adding that Hotgate is also currently providing free Wi-Fi services at a number of F&B chain of outlets in Malaysia.
Yang also said that Hotgate in collaboration with REDtone, is hoping to sign up similar ventures with the other states in Malaysia.
The Penang state government is not expected to make any financial investment in the project. Its role primarily is to allow Hotgate to install the APs and backhaul links on state government-owned properties such as rooftops, lamp-posts and building facades.
Free space will be offered to the Penang state government to enable it to communicate news and other messages to its residents.
About Hotgate Technology (M) Sdn Bhd (Hotgate)
Hotgate is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hotgate Technology Inc which is quoted on the OTCBB (Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board) in the US. An Internet-enabled service provider, Hotgate provides hospitality solutions to hotels and Internet media services through free community Wi-Fi hotspots.
Its parent company, Hotgate Technology Inc is present in six countries in Asia (including Malaysia), ie Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, China and India. Its unique solution offerings, expertise and good support service have won the group more than 300 hotels and renowned F & B chains as customers in these countries.
Its mission is to make ICT generate profit for its customers.
About REDtone International Bhd
REDtone was listed on the Malaysian Exchange Of Securities Dealing & Automated Quotations (MESDAQ) in January 2004. The Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) status company aims to be a leading alternative communications and multimedia innovator and service provider in all the markets it serves. Its four core services are Data, Mobile, Voice (ie discounted calls) and Content.
REDtone has a lion’s share of 35% of the discounted call market in Malaysia.
It has successfully replicated its proven discounted call business model in China, Pakistan and Singapore. The company is known for its in-house R & D capabilities and its home-grown technological innovations have won many awards in Malaysia and abroad.
More about REDtone available at http://www.redtone.com .
Safe harbour statement
This press release may contain ‘forward-looking statements’ relating to the business of Hotgate technology, Inc. and all its subsidiaries. Risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, general business conditions, managing growth, and financial and other business risks. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this Cautionary Statement and the risk and other factor detailed in the Company’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements made in this release speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this presentation.
Because forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, we caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. All written or oral forward-looking statements by the Company or persons acting on its behalf are qualified by these cautionary statements.
For more information, please contact:
Company contact:
Miss Cheryl Kuek
Marketing Communications Manager
Hotgate Technology, Inc
Beijing Hotgate Technology Ltd
Tel: +86-10-5218-3030
Email: cheryl.kuek@hotgate123.com
Investor relations:
Mr. Michael Yang
President
Hotgate Technology, Inc
Hotgate Technology (M) Sdn Bhd
Tel: +603-8061-2565
Email: michael.yang@hotgate123.com
