Tracing the broadband map
In an era where staying connected online is a key priority for consumers and businesses, it is important for the government to ensure that progress is made in enhancing Malaysia’s broadband connectivity.
And taking up the mantle is newly minted Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo, who has been aggressive in his efforts to energise the telco sector, calling on local telecommunication companies to provide cheaper broadband services for Malaysians and increase the speed of its services.
This comes as Gobind lauded Telekom Malaysia Bhd’s (TM) move to reduce prices while increasing the speed of its broadband services.
TM unveiled a new entry-level broadband-only plan that is priced at RM79 per month and is exclusive for those with household monthly income of below RM4,500.
The telecommunications company also announced plans to provide higher speeds for existing subscribers at no additional cost.
“This is in line with Pakatan Harapan Government’s policy to provide greater Internet services with higher speeds and quality broadband to all,” he said in a statement.
Gobind called upon other telcos to come up with proposals on how they y can reduce price p and increase the speed of their broadband services.
“I hope they too will make efforts to realise PH government’s push for more affordable and improved quality Internet services in Malaysia,” he said.
From NFP to NCP
To accelerate national broadband reach, the previous government led by Barisan Nasional introduced the 2017- 2019 Nationwide Fiberisation Plan (NFP) which aims to connect some six million premises, including an estimated two million premises in the rural areas to a fibre network. The plan, however, came under review post the newly formed PakatanHarapan PH government. Recently in July, Communications and Multimedia minister Gobind Singh Deo said the new government plan will combine fibre optic and wireless connectivity to solve the fibre optic dependent NFP (2017-2019) hiccup.
He added the existing plan involved pulled fibre optic issues as it cannot easily be planted in the challenging topographical makeup of rural Malaysia, which hinders or limits the continuous internet connectivity area penetration goal.
“To me, fibre is an important thing. We must stress fully on laying of fibre but at the same time, we must also understand that fibre might not reach (rural areas) because of what is called as the ‘last mile’,” said Gobind when making his first official visit to the Sabah Communications and Multimedia (KKM) Building in Kepayan, Sabah.
“We must still ensure that there must be a mix or combination of fibre and wireless technology. So fibre will go up to the areas with its infrastructure and from there we will have wireless facilities that can include the places outside of the fibre areas.
“What we can do is from the Nationwide Fiberization Plan ( NFP), we might change it to National Connectivity Plan (NCP) that will stress on both fibre and also methods that can enable us to connect with the last mile.
“So, this is under the attention of my ministry, announcement will be made in the near future. I am in the process of discussing this matter with the involved telcos,” he added.
While the details of the NCP has yet to be unvielved, analysts at Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd (Kenanga Research) understand that the new government plans to combine fibre optic and wireless connectivity to solve the fibreoptic dependent NFP hiccup given the latter has been affected by the topographical issue, especially in the rural areas.
This is in line with Pakatan Harapan Government’s policy to provide greater Internet services with higher speeds and quality broadband to all. Gobind Singh Deo, Communications and Multimedia Minister