As part of its 2014 budget, Malaysia’s government has revealed that a total of MYR3.4 billion (USD966 million) will be allocated for the next phase of the country’s high speed broadband (HSBB) project. According to the Star Online, of that total MYR1.8 billion will be invested in the expansion of coverage in urban areas, with such work expected to benefit around 2.8 million households. A further MYR1.6 billion will, meanwhile, will be spent on expanding HSBB services, which are being rolled out by fixed line incumbent Telekom Malaysia™, to around two million consumers in suburban areas.
The state’s 2014 budget did not, however, disclose where the funding for the HSBB expansion – which is being termed ‘HSBB2’ – will come from, although the local news outlet cites unnamed sources as saying that TM may cover the bulk of the investments, with the government putting in a smaller portion of the funds. For its part, TM was said to have declined to provide details on the funding plans for HSBB2, only saying that discussions on the project details were still ongoing. TM CEO Tan Sri Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa was though cited as saying he applauded the decision by the government to expand the HSBB project, adding that his company remained committed to expanding the reach of its broadband services, saying: ‘For broadband for the general population, especially in under-served areas, we would continue to strengthen our fixed-line services while exploring other alternative technologies.’