For the benefits of those who are not familiar with NFCP, here are its main objectives: – Entry-level fixed broadband package at 1% of GNI by 2020 – Gigabits availability in selected industrial areas by 2020 and to all State Capitals by 2023 – 100% availability for premises in State Capitals and selected high impact areas with a minimum speed of 500Mbps by 2021 – 20% availability for premises in suburban and rural areas with up to 500Mbps by 2022 – Fibre network passes 70% of schools, hospitals, libraries, police stations and post offices by 2022 – Average speed of 30Mbps in 98% of populated areas by 2023 – Improve mobile coverage along the Pan Borneo highway upon completion As you can see, NFCP is quite an ambitious plan not only because of the high network speed and coverage areas that it tries to reach, but also the fact that the government aims to achieve these objectives within the next 3 to 4 years. Before these objectives can be met though, the necessary infrastructure must be put in place first which is why having a strong co-operation with the state governments will go a long way. In fact, the wheel is already in motion, starting with the meeting between Penang state government, MCMC, and chief executives from seven local telco companies last week. As per our previous report, it was at this meeting that the Penang Connectivity Master Plan was first revealed as well as Penang’s ambition to become the first Gigabit state in Malaysia. The regulatory body has stated that it will be meeting Perak, Sarawak, Kedah, Melaka, and Selangor state governments in the coming weeks. Given that each state might have its own challenges when it comes to infrastructure deployment and digital needs, it will be interesting to see how MCMC and the industry tackle these challenges while moving the NFCP forward. (Source: MCMC.)
