MCMC Dooms The Malaysia High Speed Broadband Project

I personally feel the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has doomed Malaysia Internet users to kingdom come for broadband. Though I’ve heard the MCMC board are really knowledgeable and respected. But their recent decision of leaving the whole High Speed Broadband Project (HSBB) to TMNet for 7 years left me in disbelief of their abilities or observation on what’s happening to our Malaysia broadband state now.

I mean seriously, haven’t they ever heard of one if not thousands (or millions) of complaints the TMNet Streamyx users have voiced all over the Internet? In fact, there is even a Facebook group condemning the ISP and worst, their customer service. Plus, TMNet doesn’t even care if they’re losing 80% of the business online.

I read in the business section of the newspapers today and in it contained:

The Government has deferred full access to the soon to be built high speed broadband (HSBB) network to industry players, except for Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM), by seven years to 2015.

Source: The Star

And, you know what else is funny in the news about this:

The seven years will be a headstart. It will give the company the time and the opportunity to build the network and recover their investment, he said.

When asked if those seven years were deliberately given to TM to monopolise the market, Sharil said: “If there is any monopolising of network, MCMC will take action. As the regulator, we can take action if there are any wrongdoings by any license holders who are anti-competitive.”

Source: Bernama

Sharil is the chief operating officer Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi of MCMC. As I was reading the article, the words headstart and monopolization doesn’t go well together. Especially when he’s already talking about a company which has and is monopolizing the wired broadband market.

And, what makes me even more mad is the company’s arrogance. With the launch of Wimax in Malaysia, media have asked if the company is threatened. Guess what they said:

iCapital does not see WiMAX as a threat to Streamyx, as both technologies have different target segments.

For heavy usage (i.e. substantial downloads), ADSL technology, which is used by Streamyx, still has the edge in terms of performance.

Source: The Star

Well, you know what. It’s not we Internet users are lazy to complain how much we hate the service but it’s because we are tired of complaining to a deaf ear. I’m still looking for the TMNet monopoly to fall. Then, the Malaysia Wimax licensees will shove what you said into your face.

And before I conclude this, let me share with you the factors made for this 7 year exception:

• Long-term benefit of the end users
• Effect on infrastructure investment
• Effect on competition, including the presence of any anti-competitive practices; and
• The promotion of national policy objectives under the Act

The list was from the Ministerial Direction on High-Speed Broadband and Access List. I picked this up and the Public Inquiry Paper on Review of Access List and Mandatory Standard on Access from MCMC’s website. They’re very interesting articles especially page 41 of the Public Inquiry Paper on Review of Access List and Mandatory Standard on Access.

It’ll tell you what is expected and to be expected from our national broadband plan. In short, I am so not impressed and really angry!

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