Broadband penetration nationwide has surpassed 50 per cent mark

Household broadband penetration in the country has exceeded 66.7 per cent, a drastic rise compared with just 22 per cent in 2008 says the Information, Communication and Culture Ministry.

The ministry said the number of cell phone users throughout the country has also increased to 39 million.

In a statement issued in conjunction with the 1Malaysia Broadband Carnival today, the ministry said the positive development nationwide has also seen an increase in household broadband penetration in Sarawak which has reached a positive growth of 54.9 per cent.

"To expand the use of broadband in rural areas, more 1Malaysia Internet Centres (PI1M) and Wireless Villages (KTW) have been set up," said the statement adding that 34 PI1M and 828 KTW were in service.

The carnival was officiated by Sarawak's Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Communications), Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom.