TO have a better connectivity of 3G and 4G internet service, the Penang government has requested the Federal Government to provide a fund to the state to ensure that rural areas are well connected via broadband service.
Known as Universal Service Provider (USP) fund, this allocation will assist the state in improving network connectivity for internet users to have better access.
However, no amount has been ascertained yet as everything is still under discussion, said state Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo.
“In fact, eight areas, including Balik Pulau, have been identified by us to be need of 4G network service.
“Currently, Penang have 3G service in most of the places while 4G service covers about 90 percent of areas up to date.
“In two years’ time, our country will go fully 5G with a pioneer test of this network services in Cyberjaya by August this year.
“At the end of day, we hope the funding will be delivered to us soon to ensure that these rural areas will be fully 4G ,” said the Datuk Keramat assemblyman after attending a gotong-royong event in his constituency at Solok York today.
This comes after Jagdeep stated that he had a discussion with Communications and Multimedia minister Gobind Singh Deo last month to discuss the matter.
He also said improvement of connectivity must be made in certain areas in the city and also the airport.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Law Suun Ting