The Malaysian Communications & Multimedia Commission (MCMC) aims to establish one broadband community centre for every parliamentary constituency in the country, which currently numbers 222.

A sum of RM107mil had been earmarked for this objective for Sarawak alone, Minister of Energy, Water and Communications Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor told a briefing for the Sarawak Rural Broadband Initiative (SRBI) yesterday.

The SRBI provides school children in Sarawak, aged six to 12 years, with a low-cost Wifi terminal known as “one-laptop-per-child” (OLPC) .

The broadband infrastructure, such as fiber optics and satellite coverage, to support the OLPC terminals is provided by a joint venture between Danawa Resources Sdn Bhd and Sarawak’s state-run Sacofa Sdn Bhd.

The ICT centres will be open to all citizens, regardless of age and gender

People in the provinces will have access to digital and online content. The ICTcentres will also be expected to serve as education hubs.

“To date RM20mil has been spent on the SRBI, with RM10mil contributed by the MCMC’s universal service provision (USP) fund,” Shaziman said.

The project qualifies for the USP fund as it brings broadband Internet access to the rural and underserved areas.

“Other states that have similar initiatives can submit proposals to increase broadband coverage in rural areas to MCMC and will be considered for funding,” he added.

After 1½ years, the SRBI has achieved 20% broadband coverage of Sarawak and aims for 50% by 2010.