By Jerry Choong
SHAH ALAM, Oct 29 — Selangor has been selected as one of several states by the federal government where 5G service will be further expanded in high-density areas to reduce the digital gap.
Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said this was part of Budget 2022’s initiative to prepare 5G services for the country.
“For 2022, 5G service will be expanded to 36 per cent of high-density areas, including in the main cities, of Johor, Selangor, Penang, Sabah, and Sarawak,” he said during the tabling of the budget in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Tengku Zafrul said the service is expected to draw a new technological landscape and offer users a better and faster experience, in addition to creating new job opportunities and closing the digital gap.
Other initiatives related to digitalisation under Budget 2022 include the National Digital Network (Jendela) plan, with the federal government allocating RM700 million to increase digital connectivity efforts in 47 industrial areas and 630 schools, particularly outside of urban areas.
Similarly, to ensure residents of People’s Housing Project (PPR) low-cost flats would not be left behind, the minister said RM30 million will be allocated to prepare Internet amenities in 40 existing PPRs.
In early September, Tengku Zafrul announced the federal government’s objective to ensure that 80 per cent of Malaysia will eventually receive 5G network coverage, so the country will be able to take advantage of tomorrow’s megatrends of tomorrow in both the mid and long-term.
He said Putrajaya also aspires to accelerate 5G coverage development to be affordable, reliable, and high-speed, which will bring about numerous socio-economic benefits for Malaysians.
