Malaysians have been urged not to compare the Internet speeds in the country to other countries in the region, as the approach used by the respective governments to provide facilities for their people were different.

Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Jailani Johari said in this regard, the Malaysian government preferred to focus on Internet coverage throughout the country.

"In contrast to Vietnam (for example) where it is more focused on Ho Chi Minh City whereas, in Malaysia, the focus is more comprehensive.

"In Malaysia, our broadband and 4G networks are focused on the whole country, so it's not the same situation [...] the same goes for Singapore, where the population is not the same as Malaysia,” he told reporters during an event with the local community at Tanah Lot, Kampung Bukit Gemuroh, Kuala Berang today.

He said in Malaysia, there were two broadband development programmes, including the Universal Service Provision (USP) programme, in which funds are contributed by the service providers and operated by the MCMC.

“The funds are given based on a tender in selected locations throughout Malaysia, especially in rural areas which lack coverage," he said.

Jailani, who is also Hulu Terengganu MP, was commenting on an online media report stating that the country had a wide 4G network but its speed was among the slowest in the region.

The report said based on a study conducted by Open Signal, a company specialising in wireless coverage mapping, the country's 4G coverage had a 74.88 percent penetration rate, but its average speed was only 14.83 Mbps.

"We are aware of the comments given (in the report) and I would like to emphasise that the upgrading process from 3G to 4G is currently underway, and covers all networks throughout Malaysia.

"We have a target whereby by 2025, the broadband penetration rate will be at 95 percent, compared to 84 percent now," he said. - Bernama