Internet connectivity limitation leads to slow progress towards vision 2020

KUALA LUMPUR: Internet connectivity limitation is one of the key factors that is slowing down the progress towards achieving vision 2020, said International Data Corporation ( IDC).

IDC Asia Pacific Research Director of Internet of Things ( IoT) and Telecommunication Companies ( Telco) Randy Roberts said based on their study, 53 per cent of its respondents said the key barriers for Internet access was high prices, poor coverage and slow bandwidth.

Meanwhile, 63 per cent said that the wireless speed in their coverage area was too slow for most applications.

“The increase in Internet connectivity will be a significant contributor in connecting remote citizen populations to online markets, increasing their access to healthcare and government services, and expanding exposure to news and media,” he said in a statement yesterday.

IDC also urged the expansion of wired and wireless networks to provide improved Internet access for consumers as well as local enterprises, which will benefit from the growth in online services such as e- commerce, online banking and real-time news and information.

“The exponential growth of the IoT which connects homes, cars and machines to the Internet, will improve operational eff iciencies of businesses and create new revenue streams to drive the digital economy further,” it said.

He also stressed that there was an urgent need for local service providers to increase coverage areas of fixed and wireless data network, especially in the east coast and east Malaysia regions.

“Telecommunication service providers should look at improving the affordability, quality and speed of their networks to ensure access to the Internet in Malaysia is equivalent to that in other developed countries,” he said.

IDC also welcomed the proposal by Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo to include rights to access the Internet as part of the Federal Constitution.

“We believe that the proposal will create a positive impact in driving the digital economy and Gross Domestic Product of the country,” he said. — Bernama