Curtin Village residents enjoy wireless Internet service

MIRI, Monday, 20 June 2005 - Curtin Sarawak Malaysia achieves another milestone with the establishment of wireless network enabling 50 students at Curtin Village to enjoy basic Internet service beginning of last month. This is an extension of the success of Phase 1 of the research project conducted by the SECOM Research Unit headed by Mr Nabil Afifi, a lecturer from the School of Engineering and Science, which was a study on how existing technologies such as wireless networks and voice-over-IP, supported by source of renewable energy, can be integrated in a novel manner to cater for the communication needs of remote rural areas.

Picture 1: Students from the Bachelor of Technology program at the Wireless Network Access Point at Curtin Village

The wireless network project for Curtin Village is a collaboration effort by students from the Bachelor of Technology program, who handled the wireless network setup and configuration. This effort was generously supported by Mr Jack Lau from Miri Housing in providing the students with the necessary help to complete the installation of the antennas and the wireless units.

The project was completed in early May and now being studied by a number of final year students from the Electronic and Communication Engineering discipline who collect live data that will help them to study the performance of WiFi networks under different loadsand even severe rain conditions. A recent survey conducted by the Curtin Student Council on the project reveals that students are generally satisfied with the available Internet services. The project has gained wide attention among the residents at Senadin adjacent to Curtin Village and many have enquired having access to the WiFi hot spot. The next phase of the project will attempt to increase the bandwidth of the link to provide faster Internet access and will also consider continuous feedback from the Curtin Village residents to further improve the services.

Curtin Village is the latest exclusive custom designed student accommodation at Curtin Sarawak, located in the heart of Senadin, about 3 km away from the campus. With 24 units of 5 bedrooms fully furnished semi-detached houses, fenced off with 24-hour security service, Curtin Village provides safe and friendly surroundings and offer good value for students.

For further information, please contact:

Ms Renee Foong,
Public Relations Assistant,
Corporate Communications Unit,
Curtin Sarawak Malaysia

T: + 60 85 443939
D: + 60 85 443806
F: + 60 85 443838
E: renee.f@curtin.edu.my or corpcomm@curtin.edu.my