"The national broadband plan was more of a government initiative to spur the broadband penetration, for government institutions such as e-net, school-net, e-government, and e-library," he said.
Dr Lim said the country's broadband penetration was currently four per cent, which was equivalent to 500,000 users, compared to 0.4 per cent two years ago.
This was a small number compared to the penetration rates of 70 to 80 per cent in South Korea and 50 per cent in Singapore and Hong Kong, he said at the partnership signing ceremony between Green Packet Bhd and Saudi Economic & Development Company (SEDCO), here today.
The partnership is to establish a joint-venture (JV) company, which will offer Green Packet a direct channel to market and distribute its wireless networking and telecommunication products to West Asian markets, as well as to Turkey, North Africa, Pakistan and India.
The JV company will also serve as a platform to secure revenues from the operation of networks for the roll-out of wireless broadband.
"We should shake up the industry. (Even if it is a big player) if the business is not fit for the industry, they should allow others to come in," Dr Lim said.
According to him, companies such as Green Packet could help spur the industry.
"Such collaboration moves along with the government's intention for a liberalised telecommunication services industry, in a favourable investment environment," he added.
Dr Lim said Green Packet had proven itself to be one of Malaysia's technology companies with an impressive track record locally and was also creating a significant impact in international telecommunication services.
He urged more Malaysian information and communications technology companies to take the leap into the international market to achieve the government's objective of making the country a major production hub.
Malaysia, he said, should also be a distribution centre of technology innovations in this region.
Quelle/Source: Bernama, 15.06.2006
