MALAYSIA: BROADBAND SERVICES TO SCHOOLS WILL BE UPGRADED - MINISTER

KUALA LUMPUR, April 29 (Bernama) -- Broadband services to 9,884 schools
under the SchoolNet programme need to be upgraded, Minister of Information
Communication and Culture Dr Rais Yatim told Senate here Thursday.

Rais said the One Mbps (mega bites per second) speed targetted for schools,
has not been achieved.

"In other words, the speed of the broadband service to schools need to be
upgraded and to enable the upgrading, new wireless facilities like wimax or wifi
systems are needed.

"Right now, the system used is transmitted via satellite and on the whole,
has not been satisfactory in terms of contents, integrity of transmission
received, transmission quality and speed," said Rais when answering a question
by Senator Mohd Khalid Ahmad.

However, Rais said the services are expected to be upgraded by end of the
year and the broadband services to schools would be carried out based on cost
efficiency, quality and free from interruption.


He added that 1,089 rural libraries throughout the country were being
equipped with broadband services through the involvement of Telekom Malaysia,
largest telecommunication company in Malaysia and the Malaysian Communications
and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

Earlier, Rais said the ministry had taken various initiatives to bridge the
digital divide among the people in the country by setting up Internet Centres in
rural areas, Universal Service Provision-USP, Community Broadband Services and
SchoolNet programmes.

"The people have also been exposed to ICT training and efficiency, and those
who had undergone such trainings have been issued certificates after completing
their courses.

"About 250,000 people comprising students, housewives and senior citizens
have been trained under the USP project so far," he said when answering a
question by Senator Idris Buang.

Idris had asked Rais to state the level of computer knowledge among
Malaysians, according to states, and efforts taken to reduce the digital divide.

Rais added that initiatives like the application of e-Government, e-learning
and e-banking portal services had also helped to enhance the peoples knowledge
and competency in ICT when carrying out transactions.

-- BERNAMA