Broadband penetration has exceeded 55% - Rais

Rais Yatim

KUALA LUMPUR - Household broadband penetration in the country was exceeded the 55 percent mark as of Dec 8 said Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.

The percentage was five percent more than the target set last year, which was 50 percent by year end, he said.

Rais said cell phone usage had also surpassed 32 million or 109 percent in terms of penetration level while 3G mobile phone users have reached 3.9 million throughout the country.

"In line with the progress the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) must provide more innovative products to achieve the objective of the country's development through telecommunication," he told reporters at the 1Malaysia Broadband Appreciation Night here Monday.

Among companies that won awards tonight were Telekom Malaysia for the Best Broadband Package Category, Celcom for the Highest Number of Broadband Users and DiGi for the Best Broadband Ad on TV.

Meanwhile, in the wake of the WikiLeaks saga, Rais warned Internet users and internet service providers to be careful when expressing their views or confidential information.

"It is important for the government to be careful and monitor the development since countries have faced embarrassment due to leaks in official secret, including Singapore, Australia, India and could reach our shores.

"If that happens, the people must be careful and cautious to not just believe or accept accusations thrown by some irresponsible people," he said.

-- BERNAMA