Two telecommunications and mobile service providers in Malaysia announced that they will be collaborating to bring high-speed fibre broadband to more parts of Malaysia.
This is in line with the Malaysia National Fiberisation and Connectivity Plan (NFCP), which aims to provide all Malaysians with better access to affordable and high-quality connectivity. It’s also two organisations’ response to the government’s call for more cooperation between companies in the industry.
The Chief Marketing Officer of one of the telecoms stated that mentioned that it will be leveraging on the other telecom’s infrastructure to bring high-speed broadband (HSBB) to more Malaysians.
This move began in September of last year when the company launched its own Digi Home Fibre in Sabah. The company has since released the service to selected areas within Klang Valley and Malacca as well.
Digi Home Fibre comes in four different packages: RM99/month for 50Mbps, RM129/month for 100Mbps, RM159/month for 500Mbps, and RM199/month for 1Gbps.
Currently, it hasn’t been confirmed if the telecom’s reliance on the mobile service provider’s infrastructure means that the two companies will have the same areas of coverage.
In addition, the mobile telecom’s broadband is mainly available to high-rise buildings so Digi Home Fibre may be restricted to those as well.
The National Fiberisation and Connectivity Plan (NFCP)
The NCFP is a plan that aims to put in place robust, pervasive, high quality and affordable digital connectivity for the well-being of the people and progress of the country.
The targets of the NFCP include:
- Entry-level fixed broadband package at 1% of GNI by 2020
- Gigabits availability in selected industrial areas by 2020 and to all State Capitals by 2023
- 100% availability for premises in State Capitals and selected high impact areas, such as public transportation hubs and ports, with a minimum speed of 500Mbps by 2021
- 20% availability for premises in suburban and rural areas with up to 500Mbps by 2022
- Fibre network passes 70% of schools, hospitals, libraries, police stations and post offices by 2022
- The average speed of 30Mbps in 98% of populated areas by 2023
- Improve mobile coverage along the Pan Borneo highway upon completion
Malaysia Investing Heavily in Building the Tech Landscape
According to an earlier report by OpenGov Asia, having recently tabled its budget for 2020, it appears Malaysia has plans to seriously improve its tech landscape as well as develop a 5G ecosystem for the nation.
To further improve the connectivity in rural Malaysia, the government also announced that it will spend RM250 million to improve the connectivity in these areas via satellite.
This is especially important in East Malaysia which consists of Sabah and Sarawak. These two states have had connectivity issues for a long time now and don’t have access to the speeds that West Malaysia gets.
While the budget tabulation has a strong focus on rural areas, the Malaysian government is spending RM250 million to developing a new digital infrastructure of industrial parks and high impact areas.
As the rapidly moves towards 5G, Malaysia aims to keep pace with the trend. In the tabulation, the government has set aside RM50 million for a grant to develop a 5G ecosystem for the nation.
The government further cemented its aspirations to grow Malaysia’s digital ecosystem with the introduction of the RM50 million 5G Ecosystem Development grant under the 2020 Budget to encourage technological innovation in the country.
Malaysia believes it will greatly facilitate the government’s efforts to improve the livelihoods of Malaysians and catalyse Malaysia’s development.