Telcos enhancing Malaysia’s socio-economic development
KUALA LUMPUR: Governmentlinked companies (GLCs) have delivered broader and impactful contributions to national socioeconomic development by connecting Malaysians with the new digital economy while promoting greater information and communication technology proficiency.
Malaysia’s economic transformation, from an over dependence on raw materials and agriculture to a relatively high-tech and competitive nation, has been accompanied by remarkable advancement in telecommunication infrastructure.
The enhanced digital experience is providing Malaysians with solutions that make their lives easier.
One of the key contribution by Telekom Malaysia Bhd to the digital economy has been the development of its world-class high-speed broadband (HSBB) network infrastructure, which supports most of its services and solutions, as well as, the offerings of other industry players.
The HSBB project, rolled out through the public-private partnership initiative under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s leadership, is well received and has attained global recognition.
Having a strong HSBB network improved Malaysia’s attractiveness to foreign investors, judging from the great influx of foreign direct investments (FDIs).
Malaysia recorded an estimated RM54.7 billion in approved FDIs in 2017 while FDI inflows amounted to RM39.18 billion.
For 2018, the government aims to attract RM200 billion in approved investments, out of which 40 per cent will be derived from FDIs.
Another GLC, Axiata Group Bhd, established from the demerger of TM’s mobile and fixedline businesses, has transformed Malaysia’s telecommunication industry to reach greater heights.
From 40 million customers, prior to its demerger in 2008, it currently has a base of over 350 million subscribers across 11 countries.
Axiata’s expansion contributed significantly to Malaysia’s socioeconomic development, especially its investments in digital Internet and technology.
These developments have resulted in improved quality of life and a more conducive business environment.
The telecommunication company’s constant initiatives to enhance mobile-access connectivity allow customers to stay connected with family and friends without any interruption.
Currently, mobile coverage in Malaysia is quite matured, with 2G coverage accounting for more than 90 per cent, 3G also at around 90 per cent and long-term evolution (LTE) already exceeding 80 per cent.
The government has allocated billions of ringgit to upgrade the nation’s communication infrastructure to ensure that Malaysia keeps up with the rapidly growing technology in the world and thus, help propel the nation towards its developed nation aspiration.
In the 2014-2018 budgets, the government allocated about RM8.5 billion to upgrade the communication infrastructure and broadband facilities in Sabah and Sarawak, to build thousands of telecommunication towers in rural areas, lay undersea cables and implement HSBB in areas of high-economic impact, such as state capitals and selected major towns.
Malaysia ranked 63 out of 176 countries in the International Telecommunication Union Global ICT Development Index for 2017, an index that captures changes taking place in countries at different levels of ICT development.
Akamai Technologies Inc, an international content delivery network service provider, had said recently that Malaysia’s average Internet connection speed of 8.9 Megabits per second (Mbps) was the 10th fastest in the Asia-Pacific region.
The adoption of 10Mbps broadband increased due to advancements in the telecommunication space, including the introduction of 5G and 4.5G networks which give strong impetus to digital adoption in the country.
These positive developments show that the government’s initiatives to enhance the country’s telecommunication infrastructure has succeeded and benefited both industry players and the general public. — Bernama