The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has said that it is confident of meeting its self-imposed target of achieving 50% broadband penetration in Pahang by the end of this month, according to Bernama. The report cites the MCMC’s eastern regional director Mohd Shafie Harun as claiming that the penetration rate in the region currently stands at 49.6%, with the executive noting: ‘To achieve a developed nation status, the country’s broadband penetration rate should be further improved to reach 75% by 2015.’ The MCMC regional director noted that among the initiatives undertaken in Pahang to boost penetration was the distribution of some 78,600 netbooks to qualifying secondary school students; 26,100 of these, it is understood, were handed out in 2010 and 2011, while another 52,500 are expected to be distributed this year.
Alongside the netbook initiative, the government is also reported to have identified some 318 locations in Pahang for the installation of Wi-Fi equipment, with 200 of those having already seen such kit installed and the remainder scheduled for deployment before the end of this year. In addition, with a view to boosting cellular coverage in the state from 93% at end-2010 to 97% by end-2012, a total of 217 base stations have either been rolled out or are under construction.