KUALA LUMPUR: The Government will implement the second phase of the High-Speed Broadband (HSBB) project in collaboration with the private sector involving RM1.8 billion investment to expand coverage to major towns.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the initiative will provide additional coverage and facilities, mainly to urban areas, benefiting 2.8 million households nationwide and the Internet speed will be increased to 10 Mbps.
“The HSBB network will be expanded to suburban areas at a cost of RM1.6 billion, with Internet access speed increasing to between four and 10 Mbps, which will benefit two million consumers, he said when tabling Budget 2014 in Parliament yesterday.
To increase Internet coverage in rural areas, Najib said 1,000 telecommunication transmission towers will be built in the next three years, with an investment of RM1.5 billion.
“To increase Internet access in Sabah and Sarawak, new underwater cables will be laid within three years at a cost of RM850 million.
“These investments will utilise the Universal Services Provision Fund, which is under the purview of the Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission,” he added. — Bernama