DiGi launches first Community Broadband Centre in Lundu

DiGi launches first Community Broadband Centre in Lundu
Empowering the local community with access to the Internet

LUNDU, SARAWAK, 28 JANUARY 2010: DiGi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd's ("DiGi") first Community Broadband Centre (CBC) located in Lundu was officiated by the Minister of Information, Communications and Culture, Yang Berhormat Dato' Seri Utama Rais Yatim, today.

The CBC is part of a five-year project initiated and fully funded by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commision ("SKMM") via the Universal Service Provision (USP) fund. DiGi was provisioned 13 CBC sites in various areas in Malaysia by SKMM in 2009.

DiGi's chief executive officer, Johan Dennelind said, "DiGi is pleased to support the Government's effort to bridge the digital divide and provide communities in under-served areas access to unlimited information and educational resources via the Internet. The Lundu community will be the first in Sarawak to enjoy Internet services powered by DiGi's newest Turbo 3G™ network.

"We believe CBCs are the ideal way to reach out to the rural communities and help promote equal opportunities for social and economic empowerment," he added.

DiGi will be introducing a distinctive CBC support programme called DiGi CARE that is set to provide additional values beyond connectivity to the people of Lundu. Together with DiGi's selected content partners, the programmes will be customised to suit the local community's needs, especially targeted at children, women, the elderly and disabled groups.

"DiGi CARE is part of our plan to ensure the existence of the centre beyond the five-year timeframe. Having sustainable programmes are critical to the long term success of CBCs and will ultimately bridge the digital divide in Malaysia," explained Dennelind.

Managed by two local graduates, the Lundu CBC is equipped with facilities that include 20 desktop computers connected to DiGi's Turbo 3G™ network with a minimum speed of 2Mbps, printer, scanner, copier machine as well as an LCD projector.

In order to be a member of the centre, community members only have to pay a lifetime membership fee of RM5.00. As members, they will enjoy Internet access for as low as RM1.00 per hour. Non members can also enjoy the facilities at RM1.50 per hour.

Since the soft launch in November 2009, the centre has received encouraging response from the community members.

DiGi has also been awarded CBCs in Johor, Melaka, Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang, and is committed to launch more CBCs in Johor and Melaka by the first quarter of this year.

About DiGi
Established in 1995, DiGi is listed on Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad and is part of the global telecommunications provider, Telenor Group. DiGi focuses on making it easy, keeping it relevant and providing the best deals to ensure excellent customer experience in mobile and internet services. Through its corporate initiative, Deep Green, DiGi is committed to a sustainable business that is financially and ecologically responsible to all stakeholders.

Issued by:
Corporate Communications Department.