Malaysian telecom sector sees strong growth

Once seen as a potential high-tech hub, Malaysia now is downplaying its role in the region and has focused instead on developing its own infrastructure, writes Research and Markets in its look at the telecom markets in Malaysia and the Philippines released today.

The two countries are light years apart, with Malaysia having developed “one of the most advanced telecom environments in the developing world.”

Malaysia’s telecom industry is consolidating but still expanding as mobile growth soars—some 90 percent of its 27 million population has mobile service. Fixed wireline has—like more mature markets—seen decline; in 2002, penetration was at 20 percent, it now stands at 16 percent. It’s Internet sector has exploded recently. After a very sluggish uptake, growth now is projected at 50 percent per year.

The Philippines, meanwhile, have struggled to expand fixed-line telecom—teledensity stands at less than 5 percent—but mobile is growing rapidly, with penetration of 60 percent (55 million subscribers). And, despite low broadband penetration, there’s been a rapid uptick in deployment.

For more:
- Check out this press release [1]

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