So that is in India! Read on if you really want to know why , if, it is relevant in Malaysia.
Indian Communication and Telecom Minister A. Raja quit his post amidst controversial allocation of spectrum (that too involving 2G...) after opposition lawmakers demanded his head for what was deemed as low prices to companies bidding for it. (you can read more here)
Meanwhile, on our shores YTL's YES (YTL Communications) will be launching their much hyped 4G services.
While most people gripe about their speed of broadband services currently available, no one actually knows which spectrum does what.
Ask any Ah Chong, Raja and Ahmad on the street, and they will just lump it all as 'broadband'.
Unknown to most people, the US of A had this problem back in 2007, so while India struggles with allocation of 2G, and US having to face that three years ago, all seems well in Malaysia as YTL is prepared to lay out investments and provide bandwidth to byte hungry Malaysians.
But how many people know that the spectrum that YTL is gonna HOG is the same spectrum that another one has been testing on?
To test it and then have it given to another 'bidder' maybe?
To follow the development of Telco's in Malaysia is not that difficult. There has been mergers in our country before, to consolidate the industry to 3 main players some time back.
So why allow the mushrooming of more Telco's, small or big? And how about the 'exponential' growth of a list of license 'service providers'?
To know more about how Google, Yahoo, and Ebay took action against the FCC (MCMC of USA!), you will have to read here. And if you think YTL is actually introducing 'new technology' think again.
Read here for more. Also read here to what YTL have to pay in fines before they even launch. or have they?
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Monday, November 08, 2010
USP - What it is supposed to do and where it is now
Yesterday at the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission, some time was spared to provide a detailed (as detailed as possible that 2 hours in the morning can be...) briefing to members of the media and bloggers on the USP (Universal Service Provision) and specifically on the effective management of the USP fund, a question which was raised both by bloggers as well as Wangsa Maju member of parliament YB Wee Choo Keong sometime last week.
Zulkarnain Mohd Yasin, Acting Senior Director, USP Division, had the task to conduct the briefing and credit must be given to this man, who is only two months into his current position, to provide as much details as possible to those present.
To recap;
The USP Objective:
1. To achieve communication penetration to communities living in areas with low coverage
2. To encourage and increase the use of ICT in communities to achieve knowledge based community
3. To support social-economic development in local communities
4. To bridge the digital divide
And to achieve the objective, the following are strategies adopted;
5. To develop communication infrastructure and basic utilities (by expanding basic telephony and cellular capabilities to those in remote and low coverage areas)
6. Provide broadband facilities to communities (to provide ICT centres that are equipped with broadband ability to individuals and communities & providing a platform through these community broadband centres for knowledge and human capital development)
7. Providing basic equipment to enable individuals who are less fortunate to connect to the cyberworld
(by providing netbooks or computers as well as basic systems application as an incentive for the community to achieve the broadband initiative)
The funds used to finance this program is part of the funds generated from profits that are gained from the license holders (Telcos) with the exception of content providers (broadcasters). The funds generally grow between RM800 million to Rm1 billion annually (which is derived from 6% of the nett profit of these telcos) from these telcos and is guaranteed by law by virtue of Section 204 of the Multimedia and Communication Act of 1998 (AKM 1998)
The objectives are met through the following projects;
basic telephony, cellular penetration, community broadband centres, broadband library, 'Kampung Wifi (only in proof of concept stage), netbook ownership, affordable broadband affordability and the exemption of tax for mobile telephones.
Now, so far it is quite easy to understand, and all this is predetermined by first finding out about which community qualifies and who gets these assistance.
In order to ensure that the target group is reached, the clarification of these communities are based on the following;
1. 'Low coverage area', which basically means that in order for that community to qualify even before some proposal is received, the area must be;
a. The area of CBC must be below the National Average for Broadband penetration
b. Low cellular penetration by definition of population per square km lower than 80 people
c. Area where low basic telephony is available that is 20% below national average
and the target community must also be;
2. Community where they are considered to be the less privileges by means
a. A community that has the same perspective of social and economic factors but has not acheieve the collective means in terms of community or as an individual
b. Physically challenged
c. Children in protective communities
d. Women in rehabilitation
e. People in low cost communities
In all honest, the program seems to be well thought out and there is a benchmark in terms of where this NBI (National Broadband Initiative) is aimed at..all good so far
As such the target USP has defined above is further narrowed down to
And to achieve all those set out in the USP plan, it simply comes down to this;
If questions were not asked, we wouldn't have been told of whats in the pipeline, delivered or delayed.
We are now told that between 2002-2008 a total of Rm1,501,300,000.00 (1.501.3 Billion) was used to
i. Provide basic telephony - RM629.2 million
ii. To build communication towers along the East-West highway - RM64.7 million
iii. Community Broadband Centres - RM527.7 million
iv. Broadband Library - RM46.0 million
v. 'T-3' Phase 1 - RM233.7 million
all the above has been done and delivered
And now between 2009 - 2011, the following is to be delivered
vi. 1 million netbooks - RM1 billion (in progress)
vii. Mini Community Broadband Centres - RM10 million (in progress)
viii. Community Broadband Centres for homes - RM150 milllion (delayed)
ix. Network expansion - RM40 million (Planning)
x. 'T-3' Phase 2 - RM1.571.4 billion (in progress)
xi. Kg.Wifi - RM520 million (Planning)
The broadband initiative is actually a good plan to raise the level of playing field especially to the communities in the low coverage areas. The horizon for those learning in rural communities must surely increase with this initiative.
But the real question remains how such a gigantaum task is managed and delivered and how much leakage is pre-empted?
Having sat down for half a day, taking it all in, and given the opportunity to see a commnuity broadband centre in operation is too much of a PR exercise, where MCMC could have provided all this well ahead of the question raised both in blogs and parliament. And this is for the other government departments to take heed, look at your KPIs, and provide details of management and scrutiny before it is scrutinised!
When I asked about the delivery details of the netbook, I was simply told that there are several pipelines, and the task is not demand driven, but more of supply driven. Basically, the task lies with the regional offices that deals with the suppliers. In other words, the manufacturers are given (presumably) an order (for example, the next delivery is scheduled in December, and MCMC has committed that around 300k units of netbook will be delivered, although no details as to whom and where was provided except for a chart that lays out the communities by state)
I have also found out that a long list of SMEs (that was not given to us) has been given the task of working with MCMC to do this dissemination.
Right. All good.
So how then did this net book reach this blog, and it certainly wasn't from somebody that
a. lives in a remote coverage area
b. falls into the definition of any of those that has been spelled out above
The NBI plan, and the USP funds, which is specifically designed to benefit the community through a well though out roll out has not been delivered in totality. In the presentation yesterday. Zulkarnain Yasin specifically mentioned that it is wrong if the USP funds is used for anything not laid out in the USP program.
It is precisely these kinds of blemish in delivery that affects the government machinery and instead of wasting time with police reports and bothering bloggers, more time should be spent to ensure that the commission delivers what it was set out to achieve in the Multimedia Communications Act of 1998 (AMK98)
So for those who have not seen what the netbook could be, presenting the Mutiara, by Mutiara Smart Computing Sdn Bhd
A little info about Mutiara Smart Computing Sdn Bhd (formerly known as MIMOS Smart Computing Sdn Bhd) name changed since January 2010. MSCSB is w wholly owned subsidiary of MOF Inc. Its board of Directors are; the company is managed by;
It is certainly helping a list of local resellers and support that will provide the all important after sales service to the recipients of the netbook (presumably).
But the million ringgit question is how did the netbook above that was supposed to get to the low income, under privileged who live in the 'low' coverage areas end up with someone who showed it to me?
__________________________________________________________________
UPDATE:10 Nov 2010
In my posting yesterday, I asked questions of the Mutiara Netbook that was featured. I have now received confirmation that it was part of a batch of 40 Netbooks delivered to MCMC. The batch were all Mutiara Netbooks. The question then is ;
1. Why were the 40 so special that they had to be delivered to MCMC?
2. Who received it?
3. Who were they meant for?
4. What was the objective?
One reader who commented as 'Ron' cited that he has one in his possession. It is wrong for me to accuse anyone of having it as being in the wrong position of having it in the first place. What if the one in Ron's possession was part of a CSR gift from MCMC? If so, why in the first place did MCMC choose to give away the very same netbook for a gift in the first place?
So many questions, so little answers......
also read:
Big Dog's 'Virtuoso or deceit?'
MACC probes Netbook purchase
NST Farah Naz's report
Deputy Minister of MOIC & C response to YB Wee Choo Keong's question on USP Funds
YB Wee's response to MCMC's press briefing
Meet the idol....
Zulkarnain Mohd Yasin, Acting Senior Director, USP Division, had the task to conduct the briefing and credit must be given to this man, who is only two months into his current position, to provide as much details as possible to those present.
To recap;
The USP Objective:
1. To achieve communication penetration to communities living in areas with low coverage
2. To encourage and increase the use of ICT in communities to achieve knowledge based community
3. To support social-economic development in local communities
4. To bridge the digital divide
And to achieve the objective, the following are strategies adopted;
5. To develop communication infrastructure and basic utilities (by expanding basic telephony and cellular capabilities to those in remote and low coverage areas)
6. Provide broadband facilities to communities (to provide ICT centres that are equipped with broadband ability to individuals and communities & providing a platform through these community broadband centres for knowledge and human capital development)
7. Providing basic equipment to enable individuals who are less fortunate to connect to the cyberworld
(by providing netbooks or computers as well as basic systems application as an incentive for the community to achieve the broadband initiative)
The funds used to finance this program is part of the funds generated from profits that are gained from the license holders (Telcos) with the exception of content providers (broadcasters). The funds generally grow between RM800 million to Rm1 billion annually (which is derived from 6% of the nett profit of these telcos) from these telcos and is guaranteed by law by virtue of Section 204 of the Multimedia and Communication Act of 1998 (AKM 1998)
The objectives are met through the following projects;
basic telephony, cellular penetration, community broadband centres, broadband library, 'Kampung Wifi (only in proof of concept stage), netbook ownership, affordable broadband affordability and the exemption of tax for mobile telephones.
Now, so far it is quite easy to understand, and all this is predetermined by first finding out about which community qualifies and who gets these assistance.
In order to ensure that the target group is reached, the clarification of these communities are based on the following;
1. 'Low coverage area', which basically means that in order for that community to qualify even before some proposal is received, the area must be;
a. The area of CBC must be below the National Average for Broadband penetration
b. Low cellular penetration by definition of population per square km lower than 80 people
c. Area where low basic telephony is available that is 20% below national average
and the target community must also be;
2. Community where they are considered to be the less privileges by means
a. A community that has the same perspective of social and economic factors but has not acheieve the collective means in terms of community or as an individual
b. Physically challenged
c. Children in protective communities
d. Women in rehabilitation
e. People in low cost communities
In all honest, the program seems to be well thought out and there is a benchmark in terms of where this NBI (National Broadband Initiative) is aimed at..all good so far
As such the target USP has defined above is further narrowed down to
And to achieve all those set out in the USP plan, it simply comes down to this;
If questions were not asked, we wouldn't have been told of whats in the pipeline, delivered or delayed.We are now told that between 2002-2008 a total of Rm1,501,300,000.00 (1.501.3 Billion) was used to
i. Provide basic telephony - RM629.2 million
ii. To build communication towers along the East-West highway - RM64.7 million
iii. Community Broadband Centres - RM527.7 million
iv. Broadband Library - RM46.0 million
v. 'T-3' Phase 1 - RM233.7 million
all the above has been done and delivered
And now between 2009 - 2011, the following is to be delivered
vi. 1 million netbooks - RM1 billion (in progress)
vii. Mini Community Broadband Centres - RM10 million (in progress)
viii. Community Broadband Centres for homes - RM150 milllion (delayed)
ix. Network expansion - RM40 million (Planning)
x. 'T-3' Phase 2 - RM1.571.4 billion (in progress)
xi. Kg.Wifi - RM520 million (Planning)
The broadband initiative is actually a good plan to raise the level of playing field especially to the communities in the low coverage areas. The horizon for those learning in rural communities must surely increase with this initiative.
But the real question remains how such a gigantaum task is managed and delivered and how much leakage is pre-empted?
Having sat down for half a day, taking it all in, and given the opportunity to see a commnuity broadband centre in operation is too much of a PR exercise, where MCMC could have provided all this well ahead of the question raised both in blogs and parliament. And this is for the other government departments to take heed, look at your KPIs, and provide details of management and scrutiny before it is scrutinised!
When I asked about the delivery details of the netbook, I was simply told that there are several pipelines, and the task is not demand driven, but more of supply driven. Basically, the task lies with the regional offices that deals with the suppliers. In other words, the manufacturers are given (presumably) an order (for example, the next delivery is scheduled in December, and MCMC has committed that around 300k units of netbook will be delivered, although no details as to whom and where was provided except for a chart that lays out the communities by state)
I have also found out that a long list of SMEs (that was not given to us) has been given the task of working with MCMC to do this dissemination.
Right. All good.
So how then did this net book reach this blog, and it certainly wasn't from somebody that
a. lives in a remote coverage area
b. falls into the definition of any of those that has been spelled out above
The NBI plan, and the USP funds, which is specifically designed to benefit the community through a well though out roll out has not been delivered in totality. In the presentation yesterday. Zulkarnain Yasin specifically mentioned that it is wrong if the USP funds is used for anything not laid out in the USP program.
It is precisely these kinds of blemish in delivery that affects the government machinery and instead of wasting time with police reports and bothering bloggers, more time should be spent to ensure that the commission delivers what it was set out to achieve in the Multimedia Communications Act of 1998 (AMK98)
So for those who have not seen what the netbook could be, presenting the Mutiara, by Mutiara Smart Computing Sdn Bhd
A little info about Mutiara Smart Computing Sdn Bhd (formerly known as MIMOS Smart Computing Sdn Bhd) name changed since January 2010. MSCSB is w wholly owned subsidiary of MOF Inc. Its board of Directors are; the company is managed by;- Mimos Smart Computing Sdn Bhd was established in 1998. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mutiara.Com under JKP Sdn Bhd and Telekom Malaysia.
- MSCSB is directly involved in providing total ICT solutions in the field of service, production, hardware maintenance and distribution of ICT.
- MSCSB’s main business activities include the production, assembly and distribution of computing devices, ICT equipment rental services, hardware maintenance and support services and project management.
- They produce other business machines, but only 1 netbook for the MCMC USP NBI. The Netbook is called MUTIARA.
- since Januray 2009, Mimos Smart Computing (now known as Mutiara Smart Computing Sdn Bhd) has been working with TISS MSC(Manufacturers and developers of T3 Security products) in promoting the T3 SecurityKey as a collaboration in securing the MIMOS Smart Computers. With this collaboration, MSCSB is now actively creating the awareness in many government agencies by conducting presentations and seminars throughout Malaysia
It is certainly helping a list of local resellers and support that will provide the all important after sales service to the recipients of the netbook (presumably).
But the million ringgit question is how did the netbook above that was supposed to get to the low income, under privileged who live in the 'low' coverage areas end up with someone who showed it to me?
__________________________________________________________________
UPDATE:10 Nov 2010
In my posting yesterday, I asked questions of the Mutiara Netbook that was featured. I have now received confirmation that it was part of a batch of 40 Netbooks delivered to MCMC. The batch were all Mutiara Netbooks. The question then is ;
1. Why were the 40 so special that they had to be delivered to MCMC?
2. Who received it?
3. Who were they meant for?
4. What was the objective?
One reader who commented as 'Ron' cited that he has one in his possession. It is wrong for me to accuse anyone of having it as being in the wrong position of having it in the first place. What if the one in Ron's possession was part of a CSR gift from MCMC? If so, why in the first place did MCMC choose to give away the very same netbook for a gift in the first place?
So many questions, so little answers......
also read:
Big Dog's 'Virtuoso or deceit?'
MACC probes Netbook purchase
NST Farah Naz's report
Deputy Minister of MOIC & C response to YB Wee Choo Keong's question on USP Funds
YB Wee's response to MCMC's press briefing
Meet the idol....
Tuesday, November 02, 2010
'Foot In Mouth' by Parlimentarians spreads to Pakatan MPs
Politicians are a funny lot.
They seem to have very very short term memories, and sometime appear too over reliant on certain facts that their staff may have got to them.
For example, yesterday Women, Family and Community Development deputy minister Heng Seai Kie was replying to questions on her ministry when Chong Eng (DAP-Bukit Mertajam) told her that it was unfair to propel Tsen when she was not given proper training in politics. (reported in The Star)
Perhaps the Yang Berhormat from Bukit Mertajam, YB Chong Eng has forgotten that she was once a newcomer. Or how about her compatriots;
Hannah Yeoh
Zuraida Kamarudin
to only name two women MPs, who were only 2 out of 24 first time parliamentarians!
Now, isn't that a bit of a waste of time for Parliamentarians?
And how about this in the Malacca Legislative Assembly? Khoo Poay Tiong (DAP - Ayer Keroh) questioned the authenticity of Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) recognition of Malacca as a developed state citing internet sources that did not record the recognition.
Perhaps this is how DAP wants us to progress, by 'looking for recognition' and endorsements that are of world status!
Which part of statistics does YB Khoo do not understand? I am certainly not one, but my basic checks reveals that in order to achieve this 'status' it all comes down to numbers.
YES. NUMBERS.
So, if the YB from Ayer Keroh chooses to hoodwink the many gullible Malaysians, then DAP has done it again.
Otherwise, do read the fine print.....always read the fine print.
They seem to have very very short term memories, and sometime appear too over reliant on certain facts that their staff may have got to them.
For example, yesterday Women, Family and Community Development deputy minister Heng Seai Kie was replying to questions on her ministry when Chong Eng (DAP-Bukit Mertajam) told her that it was unfair to propel Tsen when she was not given proper training in politics. (reported in The Star)
Perhaps the Yang Berhormat from Bukit Mertajam, YB Chong Eng has forgotten that she was once a newcomer. Or how about her compatriots;
Hannah Yeoh
Zuraida Kamarudin
to only name two women MPs, who were only 2 out of 24 first time parliamentarians!
Now, isn't that a bit of a waste of time for Parliamentarians?
And how about this in the Malacca Legislative Assembly? Khoo Poay Tiong (DAP - Ayer Keroh) questioned the authenticity of Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) recognition of Malacca as a developed state citing internet sources that did not record the recognition.
Perhaps this is how DAP wants us to progress, by 'looking for recognition' and endorsements that are of world status!
Which part of statistics does YB Khoo do not understand? I am certainly not one, but my basic checks reveals that in order to achieve this 'status' it all comes down to numbers.
YES. NUMBERS.
So, if the YB from Ayer Keroh chooses to hoodwink the many gullible Malaysians, then DAP has done it again.
Otherwise, do read the fine print.....always read the fine print.
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