National Broadband Rate Penetration Reaches 81%

KUALA LUMPUR : The national fixed line and wireless broadband penetration rate had reached 81% of populated areas, the Dewan Negara was told today.
Deputy Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum said up to the third quarter of this year, the total internet subscriptions numbered 5.59 million and the number of internet users was approximately 17.5 million.

"The internet service coverage has also been increased from time to time by the service providers and through the implementation of broadband initiatives by the government.

"Among the initiatives are the construction of telecommunication tower, wireless village, community broadband centre and broadband services at rural libraries," he said in reply to Senator Chew Lee Giok during question time.

The deputy minister also said the broadband penetration rate in Malaysia should not be compared to Singapore and Hong Kong.

"This is because the population density in Malaysia differs from the two countries... so is the size and the geographical features of Malaysia," he said.

Nevertheless, he said the government was concerned with the service performance and the quality of internet service in the country and had underlined the mandatory standards for broadband access service that should be adhered to by the service providers. -- BERNAMA

http://www.nst.com.my/latest/national-broadband-rate-penetration-reaches-81-per-cent-1.18334