600K Users of 3G Change to Broadband - Still A Small Figure

BERNAMA reported in the recent news "600K Users of 3G Change to Broadband" on Sept. 21, 2010. The exceprts are shown below:

About 600,000 out of the 7.9 million users of the 3G service have changed to the broadband service, said Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.

The government had earlier targeted to reach a 50 per cent penetration rate for broadband which would raise the gross domestic product (GDP) by not less than one per cent.

Currently the high-speed broadband (HSBB) project together with Telekom Malaysia in the Klang Valley and several industrial areas is giving coverage to more than 300,000 premises.

As of June 2010, the broadband penetration rate had reached 36.1 per cent.

Currently, there are about 16 million Internet users in Malaysia.

1. Only about 7% of 3G users actually subscribed to Broadband services. Others, most probably only owned 3G Simcards and phones. Read my blog post regarding "A Myth: Mobile Broadband User".
2. If Malaysia's population is about 28 Million, it meant about 2.1% of Malaysian users are 3G Broadband users.
3. WIth the current rate at 36.1% in June and the target to reach 50% in end of 2010, its going to be definitely an uphill task.
4. Malaysia need a proper and healthy ecosystem. Read the following blog "DNA of a Broadband Nation".