The Rural Development Division (RDD) is responsible to ensure effective and systematic planning, project management, implementation, and monitoring for the Universal Service Provision (USP) Programme in accordance with USP
Regulations 2002.
For 2014, a few new initiatives under the USP Programme were introduced, including: Cellular Coverage Expansion – Time 3 Extension, Fibre Network Expansion, Enhancement of LTE (Long Term Evolution) Broadband Service, Smart Device Package with Internet and Sistem Kabel Rakyat 1Malaysia (SKR1M).
Meanwhile, existing main initiatives such as 1Malaysia Internet Centre, 1Malaysia Wireless Village, Cellular Coverage Expansion – Time 3, and 1Malaysia Netbook continued to be implemented in 2014.
1Malaysia Internet Centre (PI1M)
PI1M provides Internet access service with the speed of up to 4Mbps at selected premises for users in the rural areas and for groups with limited coverage across the country. PI1M also provides ICT and entrepreneurial training for free to local communities.
Urban PI1M
Starting in 2013, the scope of implementation was widened to include those with limited service in urban areas with emphasis on low- income communities such as those living at the Projek Perumahan Rakyat (People’s Housing Project) (PPR).
In 2014 alone, 89 new PI1Ms were built – including six (6) PI1Ms in urban areas – amounting to a total of 513 completed and operational PI1Ms across the country.
1Malaysia Wireless Village (KTW1M)
The KTW1M initiative focuses on the provision of wireless Internet access service through collective hotspots to rural communities, especially the recipients of 1Malaysia netbooks at selected locations with limited coverage.
In 2014, a total of 195 new KTW1Ms were built, bringing the total number of KTW1Ms to 4,874 nationwide.
Cellular Coverage Expansion – Time 3
1,000 telecommunication towers will be built for public cellular coverage in rural and remote areas with population density of 80 people per square kilometre.
A total of 949 towers had been completed and fully operational, offering 2G cellular services across the country. Out of this figure, 250 new towers were successfully completed in 2014.
52 towers are currently under construction and when fully completed, they are expected to increase the national cellular population coverage to 97%.
Cellular Coverage Expansion – Time 3 Extension
Following the implementation of Cellular Coverage Expansion initiative – Time 3
previously, 1,000 telecommunication towers will be built nationwide under the Cellular Coverage Expansion – Time 3 Extension.
400 telecommunication towers will be built under the first phase in the first and second quarters of 2015. The implementation of the first phase adopts the network sharing access (RAN Sharing) approach for the provision of 2G cellular and 3G broadband coverage.
1Malaysia Netbook
The distribution of netbooks under the 1Malaysia Netbook initiative was still actively carried out in 2014. This initiative aims to distribute 1.68 million netbooks to the targeted group of secondary school students from low-income families.
At the end of 2014, 1,324,885 netbooks were distributed nationwide. The remaining netbooks are currently being distributed to reach the targeted 1.68 million recipients.
Expansion of Fibre Network
The expansion of fibre network is an initiative to upgrade the existing backhaul network, enabling it to support high speed cellular services. This can be achieved by installing fibre optic cable to the backhaul network. The initiative aims to provide a better broadband service in line with the demand for LTE services.
As of the end of 2014, 130km of fibre optic cable was installed in Kelantan and Pahang, while another 150km of fibre optic cable is still currently being installed in Langkawi.
Enhancement of LTE (Long Term Evolution) Broadband Service
Mobile broadband based on fourth generation technology using LTE (Long Term Evolution) technology is another initiative under the USP Programme. The implementation began in 2013 to improve the quality of voice call and high speed data service in selected areas with limited coverage.
As at the end of 2014, 263 coverage areas were completed nationwide.
Smart Device Packages with Internet
The initiative to offer Smart Device Packages with Internet is a new initiative under the USP Programme. It is jointly implemented with major contributors to the USP Fund. This initiative offers smart devices such as smart phones and tablets at lower rate compared to the recommended retail price. The smart devices offered also come with selected application, together with mobile Internet package.
As at the end of 2014, 572,177 smart devices were activated.
*For more information, scan the QR code and view the video.
Sistem Kabel Rakyat 1Malaysia (SKR1M)
Another new initiative in 2014 is the implementation of SKR1M, which involves the installation of submarine fibre optic cable, construction of Submarine Cable Landing Centre (SCLC), and related works.
SKR1M will connect Peninsular Malaysia to Sabah and Sarawak through submarine cable with an estimated total distance of 3,500 kilometres.
The achievements of USP Programme’s main initiatives are summarised below:-
500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 5000
0.0
949 250
4874 195
513 89
Time 3 KTW1M PI1M
Completed in 2014 Total
The Impact of USP Programmes
Overall, the implementation of initiatives under the USP Programme nationwide has contributed to a significant increase in the national broadband penetration rate. A few initiatives under the National Broadband Initiative have contributed to national broadband penetration rate, up to 67.8% (Q3 2014) at the end of 2014.
Apart from that, the implementation of these initiatives also created an impact in the daily lives of local communities and individuals directly or indirectly involved, as illustrated by the success stories documented in USP’s microsite.
The Rural Development Division also published a few brochures on USP initiatives as well as an e-Bulletin, which features success stories and activities related to USP Programme. The brochures and e-Bulletin are available at USP microsite at http://usp.skmm.gov.my.
Brochures on USP Programme initiatives
*For more information, scan the QR code and view the video.