Perak to be first state to introduce high-speed Internet in rural areas

IPOH: Perak will be the first state to introduce the National Fiberisation and Connectivity Plan (NFCP), says state exco Hasnul Zulkarnain Abd Munaim.

The state chairman for Communication, Multimedia, Non-Governmental Organisation and Cooperative Development committee said the Perak government had received the proposal from Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) and would take at least two weeks to finalise the next course of action.

NFCP is a government project that combines the use of fibre optics and wireless connectivity to provide high-speed Internet for people in rural areas.

“Not only will the public get to enjoy high-speed Internet access, NFCP will also generate more interest in investors to come to Perak,” Hasnul told reporters at the Ipoh City Council building on Thursday (July 4).

The project was first tested in several areas in Jasin, Melaka in January,

During the trial, residents of Taman Merbau Perdana, Taman Maju, Felda Tun Ghafar, the Jasin post office and municipal council recorded Internet speed that reached 1Gbps.

It was reported that the government’s aim was to ensure people had access to high-speed broadband system (HSBB) services at affordable prices.

NFCP is geared towards making that happen while supporting the development of the digital economy and the Industrial Revolution 4.0.

“The project done in Jasin benefited over 1,100 households. We can’t wait to start the project in Perak.

Hasnul said he was confident that the project would be launched this year.

“In the proposal, TNB made some requests that we still need to negotiate. Once we have sorted all the issues, we will announce the launch date,” he said.- Star