KUALA LUMPUR: Green Packet Group Bhd aims to enhance network stability and reduce continuity incidences to below 5% by the third quarter of this year and below 2% in 2011, said its group managing director and CEO C C Puan.

The group was undertaking a review of its 4G WiMAX network with a view to enhancing network depth in specific hotspots, he said in a statement on Thursday, April 29.

Puan said network capacity issue was one area that its subsidiary Packet One Networks (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (P1) was addressing, pointing out that users in certain hotspots such as those within the Klang Valley encountered slow connection speed especially during peak hours due to cell congestion.

"This happens where too many users are simultaneously logged onto one single cell or node. Meanwhile, there may be excess capacity on the cell immediately adjacent."

Since this year, Green Packet has invested almost RM40 million to upgrade its network.

"We will optimise the network to allow one cell to offload demand to adjacent, under-utilised cells. We are also upgrading node and pipeline capacities in areas of high demand," he said.

He said the time was ripe for Green Packet to undergo a comprehensive technical review of P1's networks as its subscriber base was large enough to "stress test" the solutions, and small enough that the upgrading work would have a minimal to no negative impact on customer service and quality.

Puan said as a sunrise TECHNOLOGY [], WiMAX was leveraging from constant development and improvements and this created more technology options to address operational issues quickly and effectively.

"For example, we have developed a range of 4G WiMAX modems with high-gain antenna which enhances signal reception. We have also developed omni-directional antenna which allows for greater flexibility with device placement," he said, adding that the group had also developed "Switched Transmit Diversity Technologies" which boosted uplink signal strength and performance during transmission.

Since this year, Green Packet has invested almost RM40 million to upgrade its network and aims to invest another RM250 million to achieve 45% population coverage by year-end. The group aims to be a multi-market 4G WiMAX telco in Southeast Asia by acquiring two more licences in the region by 2013.