Malaysia: Unserved districts to get phone lines

 17 February 2004 – According to a report by the New Straits Times, eighty-four districts in Malaysia which are now unserved by the telephone network will soon have phone lines.

 The Universal Service Provision (USP) programme’s initial focus will be making payphones available and installing landlines by August.

 The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has identified areas in Sarawak (25), Sabah (21), Kelantan (9), Pahang (8), Terengganu (6), Kedah (5), Selangor (4), Johor (3), Malacca (2) and one area in Negri Sembilan to benefit from the programme. The project will cost the USP Fund US$ 209 million.

 The USP promotes the availability and use of telecommunications networks and services. It seeks to provide basic communication services, with an initial focus on public payphone access, basic telephony and Internet access services in underserved areas and for underserved groups in a community.

 Energy, Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Amar Leo Moggie said the first phase of the project would start in March simultaneously in nine districts and would require three or four months to complete. The nine districts are Tongod, Beluran and Kunak in Sabah; Kanowit, Samarahan and Sri Aman in Sarawak; Lipis in Pahang; Jeli in Kelantan; and Besut in Terengganu.

 To establish a telecom network for the 84 areas, fibre optics, copper lines, wireless broadband and GSM will all be implemented depending on location. As of January 26, 16 companies have registered their interest in participating.

 MCMC regulatory division general manager Nasaruddin Che Abu said 2003 pilot projects in Yan (Kedah), Julau (Sarawak) and Kinabatangan (Sabah) were a success. It took US$ 2.8 million to connect each area with payphones and land lines.

 Companies participating in the project will be subsidised by the Fund for three years, Abu said. By July, the fund will have US$ 209 million in its coffers. He said the fund receives US$ 105 million a year from major companies licensed under the 1998 Communications and Multimedia Act.

Intelecon Research & Consultancy Ltd. 17/02/2004

Consult the WDR/Intelecon Regulatory News Archive

Regulatory News is provided by Intelecon Research and Consultancy Limited. 
For the current week's news, visit Intelecon's Regulatory News. 

Back to the World Dialogue on Regulation