NEWS: Driving high-speed broadband to the public

OFF WE GO: Rais flagging off the convoy to launch the mobile roadshow initiative, known as The Broadband Trail. - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: Watch out for convoys of vehicles decorated in the corporate colours of our broadband service providers.

Groups of the vehicles will be roaming all over the country specifically to give as many Malaysians as possible the opportunity to experience high-speed Internet access.

However, the four-wheel-drive trucks will also be "ferrying" the Internet to Malaysians who have not had the opportunity to experience the Web, such as some rural folk.

The nation has been divided into five zones, which will be covered by the convoys. More than 500 locations are in the zones, which include Sabah and Sarawak.

It is part of the National Broadband Awareness and Promotional Programme spearheaded by the Ministry of Information, Communications and Culture.

The minister, Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, flagged off the convoys today during a ceremony to launch the mobile roadshow initiative, known as The Broadband Trail (or BB Trail). The roadshow is expected to last till year end.

Telco Telekom Malaysia, together with Maxis, Celcom, DiGi, YTL, Packet One, U Mobile and others, provided the mobile squads for the roadshow.

At every stop, the convoys will gather onlookers by hosting interactive games and contests in a carnival-like atmosphere, and by offering attractive prizes. They will also feature local entertainers to liven up the shows.

Onlookers at these stops will be able to get more information on high-speed broadband services, as well as websurf from a variety of portable devices.

"With this roadshow, I'm sure we will achieve our 50% broadband penetration target by year end," Rais said during the launch. Currently, the broadband penetration is 37.7%.