ALOR STAR: Langkawi can now be called a ‘digital island’, thanks to upgrade works on the duty-free destination’s internet capacity and facilities.
State Science, Innovation and Information Technology, Communications, Advanced Technology and Human Resources Committee chairman Datuk Norsabrina Mohd Noor (BN-Bandar Bharu) said the Internet bandwith capacity on the island has been upgraded to 2.1 terabytes under a special project undertaken by the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
She added that 290 free Wifi hotspot locations have been installed on the island, including at two mosques in Kuah and Ayer Hangat.
“Although we have provided high-speed internet capacity to the island, only 20 per cent of the 2.1 terabytes per second (Tbps) is being used. We are conducting promotions to get more Langkawi folks to make use of the facility,” said Norsabrina when answering a question from Nor Saidi Nayan (BN-Kuah).
To a supplementary question from Noor Saidi on the demographics of internet users in Langkawi, Norsabrina said 60 per cent of the users are male, with 89.8 per cent of them being Malays.
She also said that based on a study, 92 per cent of Langkawi residents are smartphone users, with most working in the private sector and running their own businesses.