PENANG island will achieve 100% broadband connectivity by 2010, state Public Works, Utilities and Transportation Committee chairman Datuk Koay Kar Huah said.
He said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) had forked out an estimated RM20mil for the broadband project which would be carried out in phases.
He said three telecommunication companies had been appointed to carry out the installation of cables and towers for the broadband system.
Koay, who did not have the latest statistics of the broadband penetration in the state, said more details would be revealed during an official launching in January.
He said charges for the broadband service would vary depending on the location.
“Hopefully, with a wider broadband coverage, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can take advantage of the Information Technology (IT) facility to expand their businesses.
“They can upload their company’s history and background on websites as well as promote and market their products globally,” Koay told reporters after launching the Penang Chinese ICT Seminar at the Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce (PCCC) conference room at the Penang Chinese Town Hall here yesterday.
The seminar, jointly organised by PCCC and the MCA ICT Resource Centre (MIRC), was held in conjunction with the Penang ICT (Information and Communications Technology) Week 2007 which started on Dec 13.
Koay said Penang was moving towards becoming a hub for outsourcing.
“It is vital to empower our labour force with the necessary knowledge and skills so that they can become value-added workers capable of operating modern machines and are adept in the latest technologies,” he said.
Also present was PCCC president Datuk Khor Teng Tong