Internet As Public Utility: A Case Study of Public-Private Partnership in Malaysia to Build Digital Infrastructure in Rural Area
Author
Husni, Muhammad Hariz Bin
Term
4. Semester
Publication year
2021
Abstract
This thesis examines the internet as a public utility through a Malaysian case study of the JENDELA national digital infrastructure plan, with a focus on rural areas. Motivated by the COVID-19 spotlight on the digital divide, it asks: how is the public-private partnership coordinated to advance the internet toward public-utility status; what roles does government authority play through policy, funding, fair pricing and inclusion; and what has been done to ensure digital participation in rural communities. Methodologically, it employs an interpretive case study framed by Anthony Giddens' Structuration Theory. Evidence comes from project documents and one interview with representatives of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, limiting generalizability to the Malaysian context. The study finds that the government coordinated effectively with private firms to deliver a coherent national broadband plan, including sunsetting 3G to prioritize 4G, involving power companies to deploy open-access fiber, and introducing supportive policies, including recognizing telecommunications as a public utility. Funding and pricing mechanisms were paired with inclusion initiatives such as Pusat Internet Komunikasi centers in rural areas. The case offers practical insight into how public-private collaboration and policy instruments can accelerate rural digital infrastructure, while acknowledging the study's scope and data limitations.
Denne afhandling undersøger internettet som en offentlig forsyning gennem et malaysisk casestudie af den nationale digitalinfrastrukturplan JENDELA med fokus på landområder. Med afsæt i COVID-19-pandemiens synliggørelse af den digitale kløft formuleres tre spørgsmål: hvordan koordineres det offentlig-private partnerskab for at fremme internettet mod status som offentlig forsyning; hvilke roller spiller staten gennem politik, finansiering, fair prissætning og tiltag for inklusion; og hvad er gjort for at sikre digital deltagelse i landområder. Metodisk anvendes et fortolkende casestudie med Anthony Giddens' strukturationsteori som ramme. Datagrundlaget består af projektrelaterede dokumenter og ét interview med repræsentanter for den malaysiske kommunikations- og multimediekommission, hvilket begrænser generaliserbarheden til den malaysiske kontekst. Studiet finder, at regeringen koordinerede effektivt med private aktører og udformede en sammenhængende national bredbåndsplan, herunder afvikling af 3G for at prioritere 4G, inddragelse af elselskaber til udrulning af åben adgang-fiber samt indførelse af støttende politikker, heriblandt anerkendelse af telekommunikation som en offentlig forsyning. Finansierings- og prisreguleringsmekanismer blev anvendt side om side med initiativer for digital inklusion, såsom Pusat Internet Komunikasi-centre i landområder. Casen giver praktisk indsigt i, hvordan offentlig-private samarbejder og politiske virkemidler kan accelerere udbredelsen af digital infrastruktur på landet, samtidig med at studiets afgrænsninger i omfang og data anerkendes.
[This apstract has been generated with the help of AI directly from the project full text]
Keywords