The organisation agrees with Dato’ Sri Ahmad Shabery Cheek’s statement in the media about broadband speeds in Malaysia, saying: "The Communications and Multimedia Minister’s scepticism on online data published by Ookla* on Malaysia’s broadband speeds isn’t without basis. Of late, a number of broadband speed tests have been conducted and publicised by various parties reflecting varying results. Each are measured using different methodologies which results in differing outcomes."
“It all depends on where the tests are coming from and how many cities were calculated,” explained MCMC Chairman, Dato’ Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi. “We have a robust and vibrant ISP (Internet service provider) market; some may offer higher speeds than others. Consequently, when a speed test is done, the results are averaged out,” he added.
MCMC has long recognised the need to upgrade broadband speeds and quality and since 2010 has pushed for broadband expansion through the implementation of the High Speed Broadband (HSBB) project under the National Broadband Initiative (NBI), the organisation said in a statement. MCMC has gone so far as to issue new spectrum on LTE on 2.6 GHz and also allowed the existing operators to upgrade their networks in the 1800 MHz band to LTE.
“These networks will take time to build. HSBB
phase 1 was completed in over 100 industrial areas, towns and cities
and HSBB phase 2 has recently been finalised. In fact, we have already
issued the tender for 400 telecommunications towers for the rural areas
in Malaysia. Our broadband rollout plan focuses on the whole nation and
not just cities like other countries, so that each citizen will be able
to enjoy the connectivity,” said Dato’ Sharil.
Efforts to improve the speeds in Malaysia and the government’s commitment are evident. Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Razak in his Budget 2014 speech announced the implementation of the second phase High Speed Broadband project (HSBB 2) together with broadband to the rural areas carried out in public-private partnership to the tune of RM5.75 Billion for the next three years**.
Efforts to improve the speeds in Malaysia and the government’s commitment are evident. Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Razak in his Budget 2014 speech announced the implementation of the second phase High Speed Broadband project (HSBB 2) together with broadband to the rural areas carried out in public-private partnership to the tune of RM5.75 Billion for the next three years**.
“In
the next three years, we are expanding the rollout of high speed
broadband in city areas to have a minimum speed of 100Mbps and upgrade
the broadband in suburban areas to have at least a minimum speed of
4-10Mbps. These are being done through various initiatives for example,
by expanding the coverage of fibre-based technology, building 1,000
telecommunication transmission towers for wireless solutions in rural
areas, connecting fibre optic cables backhaul to the base stations and
building new submarine cable systems between the Peninsular with Sabah
and Sarawak,” said Dato’ Sharil.
“Admittedly, we recognise that much more needs to be done. We continually engage the industry in talks to further improve broadband quality and speeds as well as expand coverage. Our own historical data indicates that there has been explosive growth of broadband consumption and it is possible the industry has under-estimated the demand that needs to be fulfilled. For example, 3G subscription since 2006 has grown 42 times***,” added Dato’ Sharil.
“Admittedly, we recognise that much more needs to be done. We continually engage the industry in talks to further improve broadband quality and speeds as well as expand coverage. Our own historical data indicates that there has been explosive growth of broadband consumption and it is possible the industry has under-estimated the demand that needs to be fulfilled. For example, 3G subscription since 2006 has grown 42 times***,” added Dato’ Sharil.
*Ookla vs Akamai
The
Ookla speed test
|
The
Akamai test
|
Ookla’s methodology
is based on a user generated content platform. It compiles data of people in
different locations who use the Ookla server to test internet speeds. Only
tests results taken within 300 miles of the server are included in the index
and the lowest and highest speeds are divided over the number of test points.
The results will
differ depending on the broadband packages, population, and country.
Furthermore, the results do not distinguish between the different times of
day when the tests are carried out when there may be users connecting at
Gigabit speeds as well as users connecting at dial-up, satellite or DSL
speeds.
The more widespread the broadband coverage the more the results will reflect a lower average download speed unless all the areas covered have very high bandwidth concentration. |
The Akamai test
calculates the average connection speed and the average peak connection speed.
The average
connection speed is calculated by taking an average of all of the connection
speeds while the average peak connection speed is taken from only the highest
connection speed. Both are calculated during a quarter-year testing period
from the unique IP addresses determined to be in a specific country.
Akamai believes that the average peak connection speed is more representative of internet connection capacity. By using the fastest measurement observed from each unique IP address, those connections that reached maximum throughput rates are reflected. Often, though not always, these connections are associated with the download of larger files, such as desktop applications, games, or software updates. |
**Excerpt from 2014
Budget Speech tabled by Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Datuk
Seri Najib Tun Razak at the Dewan Rakyat on 25 October, 2013.
Expanding Internet Access
51. In a borderless world, information can be obtained instantaneously. Therefore the requisite infrastructure will be upgraded to meet consumer demand. Hence, the Government has implemented the High-Speed Broadband (HSBB) project under the National Broadband Initiative.
52. The collaboration with the private sector has involved investment of RM11.3bil since the 9th Malaysia Plan. The HSBB project has been implemented with Internet access speed of 4 megabits per second (Mbps) and benefiting 2.3 million premises, particularly in urban areas.
53. To expand coverage in major towns, the Government will implement the second phase of HSBB project in collaboration with the private sector involving an investment of RM1.8bil. The initiative is expected to provide additional coverage and facilities mainly in urban areas, benefiting 2.8 million households nationwide. The Internet speed will be increased to 10 Mbps.
54. The HSBB network will be expanded to suburban areas with an Internet access speed increasing to between 4 and 10 Mbps, which will benefit 2 million consumers at a cost of RM1.6bil.
55. To increase Internet coverage in rural areas, 1,000 telecommunication transmission towers will be built over the next three years, with an investment of RM1.5bil. To increase Internet access in Sabah and Sarawak, new underwater cables will be laid within three years, at a cost of RM850mil. These investments will utilise the Universal Services Provision Fund, which is under the purview of the Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission.
***Source: MCMC - 3G subscriptions grew almost 42 times since 2006
Expanding Internet Access
51. In a borderless world, information can be obtained instantaneously. Therefore the requisite infrastructure will be upgraded to meet consumer demand. Hence, the Government has implemented the High-Speed Broadband (HSBB) project under the National Broadband Initiative.
52. The collaboration with the private sector has involved investment of RM11.3bil since the 9th Malaysia Plan. The HSBB project has been implemented with Internet access speed of 4 megabits per second (Mbps) and benefiting 2.3 million premises, particularly in urban areas.
53. To expand coverage in major towns, the Government will implement the second phase of HSBB project in collaboration with the private sector involving an investment of RM1.8bil. The initiative is expected to provide additional coverage and facilities mainly in urban areas, benefiting 2.8 million households nationwide. The Internet speed will be increased to 10 Mbps.
54. The HSBB network will be expanded to suburban areas with an Internet access speed increasing to between 4 and 10 Mbps, which will benefit 2 million consumers at a cost of RM1.6bil.
55. To increase Internet coverage in rural areas, 1,000 telecommunication transmission towers will be built over the next three years, with an investment of RM1.5bil. To increase Internet access in Sabah and Sarawak, new underwater cables will be laid within three years, at a cost of RM850mil. These investments will utilise the Universal Services Provision Fund, which is under the purview of the Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission.
***Source: MCMC - 3G subscriptions grew almost 42 times since 2006
