(Sept 22): People residing in Selangor will now have access to free internet with the launch of Wifi Selangorku by Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali today.

“Today shows the state government fulfilling its commitment of each district connected with Wifi accessibility,” he said at the launch in SACC Mall, Shah Alam.

Azmin, who celebrated his first year in charge as Selangor Menteri Besar said there would be 2,500 internet hotspots in various locations throughout the state by year end.

“This will reduce the digital divide which is a phenomenon that occurs in developed states and countries because there are certain areas that are left behind,” he said, adding that Wifi Selangorku would spur urban growth within Selangor.

Selangor Education, Human Capital Development, Science, Technology and Innovation exco Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said that as of September 22, there were 800 Wifi Selangorku hotspots available.

“There will be another 120 locations added by the end of this month. The rest of the 1,580 hotspots are estimated to be complete by the end of the year,” he said.

Nik Nazmi said that selection for these hotspot locations were based on a certain target group aimed at students, low-income groups, and rural and tourist areas.

He also said that with the availability of fibre optics some areas would have a minimum internet speed of 1Mbps, while those that did not would use the Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) and 3G or LTE technology to give a maximum internet speed of 1Mbps.

Hotspots will be marked with Wifi Selangorku notices. Users will also be able to tell if the service is available through checking the wifi services on their devices, indicated by Wifi Selangorku.

People interested in requesting a hotspot in a certain area can contact Menteri Besar Selangor Incorporated (MBI) or officers from the Selangor Secretariat Information Technology department before October 15. – The Malaysian Insider