KUALA LUMPUR: Telekom Malaysia Bhd's (TM) launch of its next-generation high-speed broadband (HSBB) retail service on March 24 will feature exhibits at Dataran Merdeka which will demonstrate the new high-speed lifestyle to the public over a two-day period.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is expected to launch the HSBB service in addition to the National Broadband Implementation (NBI) initiative on the evening of the main event on March 24.

In a statement on Wednesday, March 17, TM said the NBI launch would feature a live crossover feed to Sarawak, while the new branding for its HSBB service would be unveiled at the event, which is one of the NBI's flagship initiatives.

"As at Dec 31, 2009, TM's total expenditure related to the HSBB project reached RM1.9 billion covering last mile access, IP core deployment and capacity expansion for international links," said the statement, adding the total of approved claims from the government up to the end of last year was RM990 million.

TM said its HSBB retail offering would comprise triple-play services of voice, video (IPTV and video on demand), and high-speed Internet starting from speeds of 10Mbps and upwards and would initially provide coverage in Shah Alam, Subang Jaya, Taman Tun Dr Ismail and Bangsar.

"Some 300 users in those four areas are already participating in HSBB user trials currently, and interested customers for the service are welcome to pre-register on the TM website at www.tm.com.my," said the statement.