Be competitive, Internet providers told

PUTRAJAYA: The government is encouraging Internet service providers to provide high-speed access at competitive prices.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak said fair and open competition was necessary to encourage Internet service providers to reduce their prices.

“One of the examples is iFiber, an open access fibre network that promotes healthy competition,” he said at the launch of Live Demo iFiber Gigacity at the Malaysian Global Innovation and Creativity Centre here yesterday.

“Competition among Internet service providers will enable people to enjoy cheap Internet service and subscription plans that meet their needs.

“iFiber demonstrates how Malaysian residential and business consumers can subscribe to a single Internet service provider (ISP) or more on its portal at www.ifiber.my.

“This solution allows ISP and consumers to manage their Internet subscriptions.”

Salleh said he believed that iFiber would benefit consumers and support the government’s efforts to expand the country’s fixed broadband infrastructure, in line with the Nationwide Fibrerisation Plan (2017-2019).

“The government’s policy is to ensure that by 2020, at least 95 per cent of

“To achieve that, we will work with all parties, including state governments.

“In Sabah, for instance, we have started installing fibres from Kudat to Tuaran.

“We also focus on rural areas so that rural folk will enjoy the same Internet service as people in urban areas.

“This year, iFiber plans to install fibre facilities at 100,000 premises in the Klang Valley and expand to 10 cities nationwide.”

Competition among Internet service providers will enable people to enjoy cheap Internet service and subscription plans that meet their needs. DATUK SERI SALLEH SAID KERUAK

Communications and multimedia minister