Media & Events

Koh: Provide feedback on broadband need

08 Jul 2003, Priscilla Dielenberg, The Star
Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon has urged Penangites to take part in a survey to gauge the demand for broadband services in Penang. The survey is to collect data to help map out the locations where broadband services would be needed. He was speaking at the launching of Penang's broadband web portal for a study to be conducted by the Malaysian Communications and Multi-media Commission (MCMC). The study makes Penang the test bed for the first phase of the National Broadband Plan. He also proposed that the commission co-ordinate the service providers who would otherwise be competing against one another for the more promising areas. “If there is a free-for-all, all the companies will likely concentrate on the high-use areas causing gaps that will lead to a digital divide,” he said. MCMC general manager Bistamam Siru Abdul Rahman said the study would be carried out over a two-month period via the Internet and through meetings and public surveys. Data collected will be used to develop the National Broad-band Plan and facilitate the nationwide rollout of broadband services, he said. Bistamam said the web portal was launched to encourage the people, companies and organisations in Penang to register their broadband requirements. “Penang is chosen as a test bed as it has a concentrated urban population which is ideal for a cost-effective solution. “Penang attracts a sizeable number of multinational companies and small and medium-sized enterprises that form a substantial portion of potential private sector demand for broadband,” he added. Earlier, MCMC senior manager Yow Lock Sen and Penang Broadband Stakeholders Group pro tem chairman Robin Seo gave a slide presentation and a speech to brief more than 200 key players from the industries on the National Broadband Plan. The MCMC is inviting Penangites to visit the web portal www.northernhub.gov.my to register their interest in broadband services. A call centre (04-2278691) has also been set up to enable the public to learn more about broadband rollout and com-munications and multimedia development plans for Penang. Broadband is the common term for a high bandwidth Internet connection that can transmit or download infor-mation up to 40 times faster than standard dial-up connections.
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