ALL VILLAGES, SMALL TOWNS IN MALAYSIA TO HAVE INTERNET ACCESS

JELEBU (Malaysia), March 5 (Bernama) -- All small towns and villages in the
country, including those located in the interior areas, will have access to the
Internet using the WiMax (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access)
technology, said Information Communication and Culture Minister Dr Rais Yatim.

He said this decision was made at the Malaysian Communications and
Multimedia Commission (MCMC)two days ago to complement the free Internet
facility which would be made available at Information Department offices
nationwide.

"So we will continue with the implementation of the project and this will
connect villages in the interiors with the WiMax and Wifi facilities," he told
reporters after attending a function in her Friday.

He said to further utilise the facility, MCMC, with the cooperation of the
Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, would supply computers to students
in rural areas.

Through this project, villagers would have access to broadband Internet with
a speed of between 1 mpbs (megabits per second) and 2 mpbs, he added.

However, he said, the service would not be given free, but subscribers would
be charged a nominal fee to be announced on March 24.

He said houses in villages would be able to enjoy the broadband Internet
facility because the WiMax technology had a coverage of eight to 12 kilometre
radius.

He did not say which district would be the first to enjoy the facility, but
that it would be carried out simultaneously at selected villages in all states.

The purpose is to study effectiveness of the project in terms of speed,
quality, service and cost, he added.

"In these villages, we will deal with their respective Village Development
Committee and we will not use middlemen," he added.

BERNAMA