Selangor Journal

Backbone of Connectivity

SmartSel is a state-backed telecommunications infrastructure provider tasked with providing internet accessibility to all Selangorians

Malaysia may have the most connected citizenry in the world, however according to the World Bank’s Economic Monitor on Malaysia, the country lags behind international peers in terms of digital adoption by businesses.

Current levels of digital adoption are average for a lower middle-income economy. Only 62 percent of businesses are connected to the internet, 46 percent have access to fixed broadband services, and 18 percent have some form of web presence. Two major barriers to digital adoption are slow internet connections and a lack of affordable broadband plans.

Malaysia’s goal of transitioning into a high-income nation rides on unlocking the potential of the digital economy as access to fixed broadband services is needed for the widespread adoption of innovative technologies, improving public service delivery and supporting the growing demand of households. For Malaysia to increase productivity outcomes in the private sector and to drive the country’s digital transformation, it is crucial for the country to improve its level of digital adoption and connectivity.

Connectivity and innovative digital infrastructure to leverage on the Internet of Things (IoT) have been the building blocks of the Smart Selangor initiative that is spearheading the digital transformation of Malaysia.

To that end, SMARTSEL Sdn Bhd (SMARTSEL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Menteri Besar Selangor Incorporated (MBI), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enter into partnership with KT Corporation in developing telecommunication infrastructure that will accelerate the digital transformation of the Selangor State and its industries, in line with the Smart Selangor vision.

The MoU was signed by Mohamad Suhaimi bin Mohamad Tahir, Managing Director of SMARTSEL Sdn Bhd and Byeong Moo Lee, Vice President of Global Business Unit from KT Corporation, and witnessed by Yang Amat Berhormat Dato’ Menteri Besar Selangor, Tuan Amirudin bin Shari, at the ceremony.

With the signing of the MoU, SMARTSEL and KT Corporation will jointly explore on the development of SMARTSEL Digital Network (SDN) that will allow government, educational institutions, businesses and citizens to have access to affordable and reliable high-speed connectivity.

Other areas of collaboration include the expansion, development and transfer of technology to support existing and new services such as broadband and public WiFi services to the underserved and rural areas.

Smart Selangor is a coordinated effort to make Selangor the Premier Smart State in ASEAN by 2025. Selangor strives to be a dynamic and vibrant regional state that aims to improve the quality of life of its citizens with people-centric solutions.

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