BT Wins Malaysian R&D Grant

LONDON -- BT's research, technology and IT operations business, BT Exact, today announced that it has been offered a research grant by the Malaysian government to establish a mobility research and development (R&D) centre in Malaysia. Subject to final agreement, the grant will be used to undertake research into fixed-mobile convergence, wireless local area network (WLAN) technology and mobile web services.

BT is the first company to have been offered funding as part of the Malaysian government's latest R&D initiative - the Strategic Thrust Area Research (STAR) project. STAR funding is only available to overseas companies and offers them the opportunity to apply for grants to help develop Malaysia's Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC).

Stewart Davies, chief executive of BT Exact, said: "We are delighted to have been offered this grant from the Malaysian Government. BT Exact is recognised as a centre of excellence for mobility in the UK and this funding would allow us to create a sister-centre in Malaysia. We will be aiming to recruit up to 50 world-class mobility researchers who will bring their expertise to Malaysia's multi-media corridor.

Mobile communications are flourishing in the Asian market. This opportunity will allow us to tap into the unique ideas now being generated in the region, develop them and convert them into attractive products and services that BT can offer its customers."

Peter Smyth, venture leader for mobility and wireless at BT Exact, and Kamal Singh, head of BT Exact's Asian Research Centre, were instrumental in preparing the proposal, which resulted in the STAR funding grant offer from the Malaysian government. The new mobility centre will be set up in BT's Asian Research Centre, which was set up in Kuala Lumpur three years ago.

Peter Smyth, said: "In the area of communications, arguably the biggest things going forward are mobile communications, the internet and the innovative use of WLAN to provide wireless broadband communications. This mobility centre could give us unique insights because it will allow us to explore mobility R&D opportunities in a region that has a high concentration of mobile users. In addition, we will be able to bring what we learn in Asia back to the UK and into BT's lines of business."

The Hon. Dato' Seri Law Hieng Ding, the Minister of Science Technology and Environment (MOSTE), said: "We are delighted that BT Exact is the inaugural recipient of the STAR funding programme. We hope that grants such as this will continue to create a dynamic and innovative environment in Malaysia and further strengthen our Multimedia Super Corridor."

BTexact Technologies