NFCP Will Drive Malaysia's Resolve Towards 5G

PUTRAJAYA, April 19 (Bernama) -- The National Fiberisation and Connectivity Plan (NFCP) will drive Malaysia's objective towards the fifth generation (5G) implementation, said National 5G Task Force advisor Prof Dr Tharek Abd Rahman. He said hence, it is vital for the government to continue the development of the NFCP, a five-year plan to improve the fibre and overall broadband coverage. Dr Tharek, who is also a commission member of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, said the NFCP, which combined the use of optical fibre and wireless connectivity, is a reliable way for 5G implementation. "5G is the subset of the NFCP. Fiberisation connects to the location, but the enabler is the 5G," he told reporters on the sidelines of the “Digital Outlook Series 2019: Shaping the Digital Landscape” forum in conjunction with the ongoing 5G Malaysia Showcase, here Friday. One of the main targets under the NFCP, which aims to achieve 98 per cent baseline coverage in inhabited areas by 2023 with a minimum bandwidth of 30Mbps, is to enable 5G to be implemented effectively across the country, especially to empower the rural areas. The 5G Malaysia Showcase is held to enlighten the people on how 5G can impact and benefit their lives. It is open to the public for two days starting tomorrow. The introduction of 5G technology is part of the government’s NFCP drive to provide the people with a sustainable, comprehensive, high-quality and affordable digital connectivity. To promote 5G implementation, MCMC, in November last year, set up a national 5G task force with key stakeholders and industry players, specifically to review and recommend a holistic strategy. Dr Tharek said the working group is expected to send a report in terms of spectrum, regulatory, use cases and infrastructure to the government by year-end. -- BERNAMA