Definition of Data

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Main Focus of Document

A national strategy that will bring broadband to the whole nation

Target Beneficiaries or Sector

general public, all sectors, Ministries, state governments, local authorities, government agencies

Key Elements

The National Broadband Implementation Strategy or better known as National Broadband Initiative (NBI) puts in place a national strategy that will bring broadband to the whole nation. In 2007 the Government of Malaysia set its target to achieve 50% household broadband penetration by the end of 2010.

To this end, the Government of Malaysia introduced 5 initiatives under the NBI as launch on the 24th of March 2010:
1. Rakyat Internet Centres (Pusat Internet Rakyat) and Mini Community Broadband Centres
2. 1 Million Netbooks Initiative to distribute to identified target group including poor students nationwide
3. Setting up of Digital Generation E-Kiosks
4. Wireless Village (Wi-Fi service)
5. Expansion of Cellular Coverage to 97% of populated areas

The devised strategy encompassed both the supply and demand aspects of broadband.

On the supply aspect, broadband infrastructure and services will be rolled out throughout the country. The delivery of services will be through wired and wireless technology. 

For the existing broadband and cellular coverage expanded under the Universal Service Provision (USP) initiative will be continued to support the NBI.

For the high economic impact areas, the current broadband networks will be upgraded to provide higher speed of more than 10Mbps. The Government has signed a Public Private Partnership (PPP) agreement with Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) to roll out high-speed broadband infrastructure at selected areas. The project is called the High Speed Broadband (HSBB) Project.

Understanding that supply alone is insufficient, the NBI also has taken into consideration an effective strategy to encourage demand with the emphasis on Awareness, Attractiveness and Affordability.

The strategic approach identified is through continuous government and private sector involvement in the awareness programs as well as capacity building initiatives. In order to improve the attractiveness of online content, efforts will be focused to enhance and promote e-Government, e-Education and e-Commerce applications.

Efforts are also underway to digitize the traditional information resources such as libraries and archives, etc. and have them available online.

Besides that, various initiatives to reduce broadband access costs and widen community access are being developed to bridge the digital divide.

Policy/Regulation Mirrors

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