Government postpones TM broadband deal again

The signing of the agreement between Telekom Malaysia™ and the Malaysian government to build the country’s high speed broadband network has been delayed again, Gulf Daily News is reporting. Having been initially postponed from 1 July to 14 August the deal has been pushed back once more; the delay is understood to be the result of a company, High Speed Broadband Technology (HSBT), proposing a cheaper alternative for the government. HSBT has proposed development of the network will cost MYR18 billion (USD5.37 billion) over ten years without government funding, with investment expected to come from Middle Eastern investors. In comparison TM had put forward a MYR15.2 billion ten-year plan, with the government expected to contribute at least MYR2.4 billion in the first phase. The cabinet committee overseeing the development of the country’s broadband network is now expected to meet on 20 August to discuss the future of the scheme.