Malaysia.s first interconnection between an Internet telephony system and cellular operator is happening at last. After approval of JARING.s access agreement with Celcom by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) in February, the new non-geographic numbering system facility offered by JARING, allows subscribers to communicate with each other at a distance independent call rate through an internet connection.

The technology which allows this happen is called Telephony Service over Internet Protocol (TsolP) and it enables calls to be made directly from a computer, a special TSoIP phone or a traditional phone connected to a special broadband phone adapter.

Following this logic, anywhere that is a wireless hotspot (even aeroplanes) will enable voice calls for JARING MY015 subscribers. These subscribers will be given one phone line with a prefixed 0154 number and according to Dr. Mohamed bin Awang Lah, chief executive of JARING Communications, this makes JARING MY015 service virtually borderless, with received and made calls at a fraction of fixed line and mobile rates.

JARING was also selected to provide 155 Mbps Dedicated Internet Leased-line (or STM1) to Universiti Sains Malaysia.s main campus in Minden, Penang, and 34 Mbps Leased-line (E3) to both USM.s Engineering Campus in Nibong Tebal and Health Campus in Kubang Kerian, Kelantan.

JARING will also be responsible to manage and monitor Internet access to and from USM.s Internet gateway and private addresses usage and USM main to its NibongTebal and Kubang Kerian campus. At the signing ceremony held recently, JARING was represented by its Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mohamed bin Awang Lah, while USM was represented by it.s Vice- Chancellor, Professor Dato. Dzulkifli bin Abdul Razak.