KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7 -- Industry players have lauded the government’s emphasis in Budget 2021 on developing and upgrading of basic telecommunications infrastructure and networks to meet the needs of the digital lifestyle and spur economic growth.

In the Budget 2021 announcement yesterday, Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will allocate RM7.4 billion to build and upgrade broadband services for 2021 and 2022.

Tengku Zafrul had also announced a total of RM500 million allocation to implement the National Digital Network initiative (JENDELA) to ensure the connectivity of 430 schools nationwide.

Cybersecurity firm, Trend Micro Malaysia managing director Goh Chee Hoh said they are encouraged by the strides being taken by the government towards improving connectivity across the country.

"We commend the efforts to provide stable internet connection for students in tertiary institutions by upgrading the Malaysian Research and Education Network (MYREN) access from 500Mbps to 10Gbps," he said in a statement today.

Meanwhile, head of Ericsson Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, David Hägerbro said investment into expanding critical digital infrastructure will be key drivers for Malaysia’s recovery and economic growth.

"As more Malaysians rely on the internet to conduct work and studies in the coming year, it is important to address the pain points of connectivity,” he said in a statement today.

He said the Sweden-based telecommunications company strongly believes that the successful rollout of the 5G mobile network hinges on the incentives and provisions within Budget 2021.

“This will pave the way for the government, businesses and citizens to deliver groundbreaking solutions to the pandemic, that can reach all levels of society.

“In the near term, 5G will help address the tremendous growth in mobile data traffic and will serve consumers and enterprises, and take the Internet of Things to the next level, where superior connectivity is a prerequisite,” he said. 

Integrated telecommunications infrastructure services company, edotco Group chief executive officer Adlan Tajudin said digital connectivity is the lifeline in keeping communities together amidst the various stages of the government’s restricted movement orders. 

"Digitalisation will also bring about increased opportunities for growth, uplifting communities in the urban as well as rural and remote areas of the country.

"Industry-wide collaboration between the government, mobile network operators, regulators, local authorities and the private sector will be crucial to drive the recovery and advancement of the telecommunications sector for Malaysia," he added.

-- BERNAMA