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We have always encouraged the development of information and communications technology, ICT, as globalisation gathers momentum. We hope that Multimedia Super Corridor, MSC, will succeed and expand throughout Malaysia. But, we are wary of the Malaysian Government's ICT policies and their implementation.

In the last few years, the public and private sectors have invested on information infrastructure such as fibre optics, satellite and cellular technology, to develop ICT. We need these investments.

By 2000, Malaysia has 62,600 kilometres of fibre optic network, linking states and towns. This increases the capacity to send data faster. If leading nations revert to the use of copper network for some aspects of communications, what is Malaysia going to do?

USE OF FIBRE OPTICS

As more people use Internet in the last two years, big communications companies invest about US$35 billion on fibre optics. Then, some dotcom and communications companies fold up. Most of the optic fibres are not used. While there is a temporary glut of optic fibres, there is a shortage of fast local connections to customers.

What happens to Malaysian fibre optic network? How much has been used? The country spent about RM23.9 billion on information infrastructure in the last five years. How much do we need to make the optic fibre usable? How much is required to reach the consumers?

We believe that the Government should review the state of ICT infrastructure, its capacity, the effects on it of bankrupt communications companies and the prospect of customers using it.

The leading nations such as U.S.A. have an advantage over Malaysia. We follow them. Their companies lay more fibre optic cables than are needed at present. Some have gone burst. If there is no newer technology or reversion to old technology, people will benefit from the glut of these cables.

 Dr Tan Seng Giaw