Kuala lumpur, Oct 26 – Information Communications and Technology-based (ICT) companies say widening the second phase of the high-speed broadband project, as proposed by the Prime Minister in his 2014 Budget, will promote a digital economy and lifestyle for the community especially the rural areas in Sabah and Sarawak.
The National ICT Association of Malaysia Chairman Woon Tai Hai (PIKOM), however, told Bernama that the association was concerned with the overall communication cost as compared to regional neighbours.
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who is also Finance Minister, announced that the government would implement the second phase with the private sector involving investments of RM1.8 billion which would benefit 2.4 million households nationwide.
The Internet speed will be increased to 10 megabits per second, 1,000 transmission towers will be built, at a cost of RM1.5 billion, over the next three years and RM850 million will be invested to lay underwater cables, all wit the aim of increasing Internet coverage to rural areas and in Sabah and Sarawak.
Microsoft Malaysia Managing Director Carlos Lacerda said the proposals were vital towards democratising the access of knowledge and narrowing the digital divide for all Malaysians.
“Accelerating high-speed access to information will enhance information technology adoption and allow Malaysians to have access to the latest knowledge and innovative technologies,” he said.
Meanwhile, Telekom Malaysia Bhd Group Chief Executive Officer Tan Sri Datuk Sri Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa said the government’s decision to move on to the HSBB2 project would elevate the nation to emerge as the highest in terms of number of high-speed broadband subscribers in South East Asia.
“HSBB2 will emerge as the most acknowledged fast track project rolled-out globally,” he added.
Trend Micro Inc’s South East Asia Managing Director Goh Chee Hoh said the announcements would increase the number of Internet users and boost the adoption rate for smart devices.
The use of tablets, smartphones, laptops, and personal computers among consumers and businesses are expected to increase especially in the current inevitable movement of the “consumerisation of IT or the Bring Your Own Devices (BYOD) trend,” Goh said.
Meanwhile, Commerce Dot Com Sdn Bhd Chief Executive Officer Muzafar Kamal Shahaluddin said the HSBB2 project was inline with the government’s initiative to promote e-commerce towards turning Malaysia into a digital economy.
“More business users will be benefitting from wider and faster broadband coverage,” he added.
And finally, Rakuten Online Shopping President and Chief Executive Officer Masaya Ueno said the HSBB2 announcement was definitely a boom to the e-commerce industry in Malaysia.
“It will encourage and enable more people to have seamless access to the Internet, he said, adding that this would drive greater value creation from increased connections,”he added.
– Bernama
