Faster, cheaper networks in Malaysia soon

Malaysia Prime Minister YAB Dato' Sri Mohd Najib Tun Haji Abdul Razak's Budget 2017 announcement was a boost for faster networks in the country. In his speech, PM Najib noted that digital connectivity contributes nearly 16% to Malaysia's GDP.

Effective January 2017, fixed line broadband service providers will offer services at a higher speed for the same price. "For example, a subscriber of (a) 5 megabytes per second package at RM149 will enjoy a package with twice the speed, which is 10 megabytes per second," he added. "Within the next two years, for this package, the speed will be doubled with the reduction in prices by 50%."

The government will also launch an initiative for Ethernet broadband services in public universities, with speeds to be increased to a maximum of 100 gigabytes per second.

At the same time, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will provide RM1 billion to ensure the coverage and quality of broadband nationwide reaches up to 20 megabytes per second. MCMC will additionally provide free tablets to assist teaching to 430,000 teachers, an initiative backed by RM340 million.

PM Najib also shared that the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) will disburse RM162 million to implement programmes such as an e-commerce ecosystem, a Digital Maker Movement as well as introduce a Malaysia Digital Hub, he said.

"The Government will also introduce the first Digital Free Zone in the world. It will merge physical and virtual zones, with additional online and digital services to facilitate international e-commerce and invigorate Internet-based innovation," he said.

Interested?

Read the full Budget speech