1,000 telecommunication towers will be built nationwide in three years - Ahmad Shabery

A total of 1,000 telecommunication towers will be built nationwide in three years to achieve a broadband speed of 48mbps to 50mbps by 2018.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Chik said Malaysia recorded a speed of around 5.8 to 5.9 mbps currently compared to Myanmar and Vietnam which only achieved speeds of around 5.6 to 5.7 mbps, based on a speed test study made by 'The Ookla Global Net Index'.

"We know that three to four years ago, a speed of one mbps was adequate and the response was encouraging from companies which offered RM140 to RM144 to get an internet speed of one or two mbps.

"But now the speed of 20mbps is not enough because the use of internet is very widespread not only to surf Google but also for transportation, education, health and numerous fields which need a good broadband speed," he said when replying to a question from Khoo Soo Seang (BN-Tebrau) in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Khoo wanted to know about the government's plan to boost broadband service in the country and why the nation's broadband speed was only 126th among 196 countries studied.

Ahmad Shabery said with the construction of telecommunication towers under the High Speed Broadband project (HSBB) via a government-private sector cooperation, at least 96 percent of the people could enjoy the benefits of a fast broadband speed.

"Under HSBB, the speed targeted for major towns is as high as 100mbps and at least 20mbps for residents on the outskirts of town," he said.

To a supplementary questions by Khoo on the expensive charges for using the broadband, Ahmad Shabery said Malaysia was among the cheapest in Asia in terms of broadband charges because the government received the cooperation of the private sector in providing capital to provide facilities to boost services.

"This is because not all the capital used for the purpose came from the government. If the government has to come up with the entire capital to boost the broadband service, it could not provide other infrastructural facilities for the people.

"We must take pride that the telecommunication sector always seeks to reduce its rates. If we notice, the broadband charge for a speed of 2mbps was RM144 in the past, now we are only charging RM200 for a speed of 20mbps," he added.