The talk about the Malaysia WiMAX rollout is getting rampant. Tech geeks and bloggers seem to be aiming for the keywords; Malaysia and Wimax. As mentioned, all you need are a few good posts to increase your Google Adsense revenue and position yourself better in search engines. Let’s see if I’m able to position this blog with the phrase; Malaysia Wimax.

While at it, I’m thinking about the Malaysia WiMAX implementation and its possible effects towards our working culture and possibly, lifestyle. When Wimax finally rolls out in Malaysia (hopefully by this year), the first business which will get affected are cafes like Starbucks, Coffee Bean and other free wifi spots. Would they survive the rollout?

Especially when Wireless@KL is completely launched.

The KL Wireless Metropolitan Project or Wireless@KL is a FREE wireless broadband internet access service that is brought to you by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) in collaboration with Packet One Networks (M) Sdn Bhd in a pioneering effort to transform Kuala Lumpur into a world-class wireless city.

The only problem with this plan (to me) at the moment is the available speed - 512kbps download. I was one of the initial subscribers to Streamyx when they launched their 512 package. Let’s say for the sake of argument over how consumers select their Malaysia Internet provider, they think more about speed before price and customer service.

If I already owned a 1Mbps WiMAX package for the home, I’ll be able to carry this connection speed anywhere I want - I think. Which means I won’t be using much of the free wireless access in Kuala Lumpur. However, this will be beneficial to tourist and others who only need a simple connection to download average sized emails (no more than 1MB) and browse on their Apple iPhone maybe.

Speaking of tourists, here’s some great news for hotel patrons. No more need to pay for hotel Internet access! I’m seriously sick of having to pay for Internet access at a hotel when I’m already a patron at the place. Don’t you think so?

So what may possibly happen to cafes like Starbucks or Coffee Bean? Well, I’ll still be staying there longer and they’d save on their wifi license or agreement with the Internet providers subscribed now. No more need to pay a royalty fee or have customers say they can’t connect to the Internet or their account has expired for no reason - my experience.

Will we see more mobile warriors (workers) out of the office? Maybe. Will consumers use their Internet service outdoors more than indoors? Maybe. But what I do know is the digital convergence will increase. And, we’re going to have smarter Internet users - I hope.

Any other possible effects coming across your mind?

• For schools?
• For toilets?
• For islands?