BB Trail program aims to increase broadband awareness

Working in earnest to meet the 50% household broadband penetration target by the end of this year, the Ministry of Information, Communications and Culture yesterday launched the BB Trail program in efforts to increase broadband awareness and uptake in rural areas.

The five month program beginning July 15, consists of road shows covering more than 500 locations across the country including Sabah and Sarawak.

In a press release made available to us, the Ministry says that:

At every stop, the BB Trail will conduct interactive games and contests related to Broadband, offering all interested participants the chance to win attractive prizes related to the National Broadband Awareness and Promotional Program.

The Program targets all age groups covering students and educators of all levels especially those in institutions of higher learning, entrepreneurs and small and medium businesses, parents, families and the public at large.

Through the implementation of the BB Trail, the public would be able to obtain choice information on how to subscribe to broadband easily, and get to select whichever service providers they prefer based on the different promotions and packages offered.

As of July 7, 2010, over 37% of Malaysian households have broadband connection. This equates to about 2.4 million homes out of the 6.3 million homes in Malaysia.

To achieve the 50% household penetration target by the end of this year, another 1 million homes will need to have broadband connectivity. With just five months left in 2010, about 200,000 homes will need to have broadband connectivity a month. That’s a huge ask and the Ministry has their work cut out.

As of Q4 2009, the country’s household broadband penetration stood at 31.7%. Don’t get us wrong, we’re all for the 50% broadband penetration target but it’s looking like the Ministry might not hit it.

Let’s wait and see.

Press release after the jump.

BROADBAND TRAIL GOES NATIONWIDE TO RAISE BROADBAND AWARENESS AND INCREASE USERS

Cyberjaya, Malaysia, July 13, 2010: Barely three weeks after the official launch of the National Broadband Awareness and Promotional Programme, YB Dato’ Seri Utama Dr. Rais Yatim, the Minister of Information Communications and Culture launched the nationwide mobile road show squad, aptly called the Broadband Trail (BB Trail).

The road show, which will run for about five-and-a-half months, will begin on July 15, with the BB Trail driving four specially designed and fitted four-wheel drive vehicles and covering more than 500 locations across the length and breadth of the peninsula including Sabah and Sarawak.

To ensure as many towns and cities are covered within the allotted time-span, the BB Trail will cover the country by zones, with zones one, two and three representing the central and southern regions, northern region and eastern region of the peninsula, respectively. Zone Four covers Sabah and Sarawak.

As they navigate from town to town, the BB Trail will travel through outlying areas, especially those where broadband penetration and usage are considered low as compared to established places and states like Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Penang. Particular attention and time will be extended to the communities and towns in Kedah, Kelantan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Terengganu, Sabah and Sarawak.

The BB Trail will have the participation of local entertainers and corporate personalities interacting with the Rakyat and also participating in many interactive activities and games. Some of the well-known artistes will make special appearances during the BB Trail.

At every stop, the BB Trail will conduct interactive games and contests related to Broadband, offering all interested participants the chance to win attractive prizes related to the National Broadband Awareness and Promotional Programme.

The Programme targets all age groups covering students and educators of all levels especially those in institutions of higher learning, entrepreneurs and small and medium businesses, parents, families and the public at large.

Through the implementation of the BB Trail, the public would be able to obtain choice information on how to subscribe to broadband easily, and get to select whichever service providers they prefer based on the different promotions and packages offered.

The BB Trail will be aided with the participation of the mobile squads from the leading telecommunications’ players, and their teams will be equipped with all the latest information on the broadband services as well as different packages available.

According to the statistic gathered by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC/SKMM), as of July 7, 2010, Malaysia has reached 37.7% household broadband penetration. With all these activities planned during the BB Trail’s period, the aim to achieve 50% household broadband penetration by the end of 2010 besides encouraging even more Malaysians to enjoy broadband communications stands to become a reality.

The BB Trail under the National Broadband Awareness and Promotional Programme is part of the overall National Broadband Initiative (NBI) which puts in place a national strategy that will bring broadband to the whole nation.

On a broader note, the Programme aims to have more and more Malaysians use broadband services for business, education and study, social networking and information gathering, thereon raising the country’s competitiveness in the global arena and reach the target for a higher income economy by 2020.

Ministry of Information Communications and Culture

13 July 2010