NEWS: Broadband infrastructure may become a must

PUTRAJAYA: The Uniform Building By-Laws may be amended to make it a must for developers to provide broadband facilities in residential and commercial areas, said Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

The Deputy Prime Minister said the facility was now deemed as crucial as having electricity and water supplies in one’s home, adding that almost every household had computers and Internet connection.

He said the Housing and Local Government Ministry had been directed to study the possibility and take up the matter with stakeholders to ensure the policy could be implemented.

“If this service is not provided now, it will cost more to have broadband facilities installed in the future,” he told reporters after chairing the Cabinet committee on the implementation of broadband services nationwide.

He said the Government’s target was to have a household broadband penetration rate of 50% and a mobile phone coverage of 97%.

Muhyiddin said it was important that plans for broadband services nationwide meet the target in order to boost the country’s competitiveness and provide economic spin-offs.

He said telecommunication firms would be erecting 1,000 towers this year to ensure better mobile service and coverage, adding that the cooperation of state governments and local authorities would be necessary to achieve this.