KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia came in second behind Russia among 26 nations with resource and efficiency-driven economies in the Connectivity Scorecard 2013, thanks to its wide broadband penetration.
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said Malaysia surpassed Asean countries including Thailand (13), Vietnam(14), Philippines (18) and Indonesia (20) in broadband penetration.
Singapore is ranked under another grouping for innovation-driven economies.
"This global ICT Index is the first of its kind to rank countries, not only on their development of ICT infrastructure but also to measure the extent in which governments, businesses and consumers make use of connectivity technologies to enhance social and economic prosperity," he said.
Speaking at the launch of V Telecoms Berhad's Global IP Transit services on Monday, Muhyiddin said it was a pleasure to note Malaysia had been consistent in the Scorecard, being in the top three positions in the past few years.
He said Malaysia's broadband penetration rate reached 67% since September compared to just 22% in 2008.
"Global studies have shown a direct correlation between GDP growth rates and Internet broadband penetration rates," he said.
He said the World Bank had indicated that a 10% rise in Internet broadband penetration would lead to an increase of 1.21 percentage points in economic growth or 1.38 percentage points for low and middle income countries.
"On that note, I commend V Telecoms for rolling out their fibre optic technology throughout the country to connect the disconnected," he said.
At the launch yesterday were Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, V Telecoms Global Limited chairman Tan Sri Syed Mohd Yusof Tun Syed Nasir, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) chairman Datuk Mohamed Sharil Mohamed Tarmizi and V-Telecom CEO Roslina Ibrahim.