For Immediate Release

THE INAUGURAL USP SYMPOSIUM ON COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES

Seremban, , 12 June 2008 – The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (SKMM) organized the USP Symposium on Communication Technologies for Underserved Communities in Seremban today. Yang Berhormat Dato’ Shaziman Abu Mansor, Minister of Energy, Water and Communications delivered the Keynote Address at the Plenary Opening Session, witnessed by more than 200 delegates from the communications and multimedia industry, representatives from State Government and Government bodies, technology experts and members of academia. The two day symposium aimed to identify the right technology- mix for the Universal Service Provision (USP) programme roll-out. This is to ensure that the universal services offered are relevant and beneficial to the underserved communities identified under the USP Programme.

The main objective of the USP programme is to provide collective and individual access of basic telephony and internet services to the underserved areas and underserved group within the community. This is because network facilities providers, tend to focus on commercially lucrative areas and this has created a gap between the underserved communities in urban and rural areas. Often referred to as the Digital Divide, this imbalance in communications access has social ramifications if not addressed at the national level. Consequently, USP target areas are divided into underserved areas and underserved groups within the community. The USP programme is regulated by the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998 and USP Regulations which defines these as areas where the penetration rate for

Page 1 of 4 Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) subscribers in is 20% below the national penetration or any locality, where in the opinion of SKMM, application services are not sufficiently available to the community at large.

Since 2004, SKMM has been rolling out multiple USP programmes in the effort of bridging digital divide throughout the country. Besides implementing USP projects within the 89 underserved districts, SKMM has also embarked on the rollout of other new projects under the USP programme which includes the provision of collective Internet access service to libraries (USP Broadband Libraries) and the creation of USP Communications Centre (UCC) located in the underserved areas.

As of 31 December 2007, a total of 71,125 individual lines and 3,259 payphones under Phase 1, 2 and 3 of the USP projects have been completed. SKMM successfully coordinated the rollout of UCC projects in accordance to the designation of the 12 sites throughout Malaysia. In addition, 44 broadband libraries have successfully been implemented.

To further strengthen the USP programme, SKMM has also conducted a review on existing USP Regulations which include the deployment of broadband to meet the targets as set out in the National Broadband Plan and the MyICMS 886 strategy. The expansion of USP framework is expected to assist the disadvantaged communities to reap the benefits of digital opportunities that will be available through the projects.

Impact assessments were also carried out on all USP projects. The findings revealed that there is a requirement to implement appropriate technologies in the project areas. Following the impact study, the symposium was organised to seek and identify the right technology-mix for better universal service deployment in subsequent USP projects rollout. Among the key topics discussed during the symposium were ‘Technology Characteristics for Underserved Deployments’, ‘Issues and Challenges in Implementing USP for

Page 2 of 4 Underserved Areas’, ‘Sustainable Applications for e-Community Development’, ‘Meeting USP Objectives through Reliable Last Mile Solutions’ and ‘Future Model of USP Community Projects’.

The USP programme is a tool for bridging the Digital Divide by acting as a mechanism for chanelling private sector investment into unprofitable rural areas. The Universal Service Provision (USP) Fund was established under the provision of Section 204 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998. To further increase access to ICT facilities for the rural population, the scope of the Fund will be expanded to include broadband infrastructure in rural areas. Currently, the Fund is utilised to develop basic telephony services and internet infrastructure.

The UCC is a good example of a model community centre implemented to meet broadband or ICT needs of the communities. The communities can gain access not only to the Government online services and information portal like MyGovernment portal and MyEGServices, but also to other services like e- banking and e-commerce. Besides unlimited access to knowledge, it also reduces the time to travel and improves cost savings for the communities. The UCC concept aims to incorporate learning, as well as facilitate delivery of service from both government and private sectors.

Apart from basic telephony projects and broadband Internet, SKMM also provides telephony services along the East West Highway. The provision of this service involves the construction of communication towers at 20 identified sites crossing in (1 tower), district in (16 towers) and in (3 towers). The construction of the towers enables different cellular companies to offer services through a roaming arrangement. The implementation of this pilot project had begun in the middle of 2007 and was fully operational since 15 May 2008.

Page 3 of 4 The push to narrow the digital divide has been entrusted by the Government to SKMM. The two day symposium is meant for all parties involved to work together to build up ideas and share their knowledge in realising the shared vision of reducing the divide that exists in Malaysia, particularly for the benefit of the underserved areas and the underserved groups within the community. -End-

Notes to Editor:

1 If your organization wishes to include a quote from Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (SKMM) in an article or news item, kindly attribute the quote to our organization (SKMM) rather than an officer of the organization, unless a designated spokesperson from SKMM is specified in the Press Release or reply to Press.

About Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (SKMM)

The primary role of SKMM is to implement and promote the Government's national policy objectives for the communications and multimedia sector. SKMM is also charged with overseeing the new regulatory framework for the converging industries of telecommunications, broadcasting and on-line activities, in accordance with the national policy objectives set out in the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA), as well as postal services and digital certifications.

The CMA provides that SKMM undertakes a policy implementation role, while policy decision-making is vested with the Minister. The Minister may also give policy directions to the Commission. For more information visit http://www.skmm.gov.my

For media clarification, please contact:

Zeti Marziana Muhamed Director, Corporate Communications Department Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission

Wan Seri Rahayu Wan Mohd Said Corporate Communications Department Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission

Tel: +603 8688 8000 Fax: +603 8688 1007 Email: [email protected]

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