4 to 10 mbps broadband penetration for rural folks by 2016

Rural folks in the country would enjoy a faster broadband penetration of between four and 10 megabits per second (mbps) while urban dwellers, between 100 and 300 Mbps by 2016, said Communications and Multimedia minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek.

He was referring to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's announcement in the Budget 2014 yesterday that the government would be implementing the second phase of the high speed broadband (HSBB) initiative with the private sector involving an investment of almost RM1.8 billion, that would benefit 2.4 million households nationwide.

According to him, foundation works on the project had been already been initiated.

"The allocation is already there and we have already identified the sites for the towers and cable installations.

"In three years' time we will see a different scenario in which internet connection would be much faster," he told reporters after launching the district level Jalur Gemilang Carnival organised by the Communications and Multimedia Commission at Padang Astaka Saturday.

According to him, broadband penetration in the rural areas was presently between one and two mbps while in the urban areas, between two and 20 mbps.

"In terms of broadband coverage in the country we are not too far behind developed nations with almost 70 per cent," he said.