The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has echoed Communication and Multimedia Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek’s scepticism on online data published by Ookla on Malaysia’s broadband speed.

MCMC chairperson Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi in a statement yesterday said Ahmad Shabery’s scepticism was not without basis.  

“Of late, a number of broadband speed tests have been conducted and publicised by various parties reflecting varying results,” he said.

Mohamed Sharil said each broadband speed test was measured using a different methodology, which resulted in different outcomes.

It was reported that Ookla in its latest survey rated the average broadband speed in Malaysia at 5.48 Megabits per second (Mbps), slower than Vietnam and Cambodia.

Ahmad Shabery, when asked to respond to the survey, was reported as saying that he was a bit sceptical with Ookla’s global survey.

Ookla is the global leader in broadband testing and web-based network diagnostic applications.

The company’s software and methodologies set the broadband industry standards for accuracy, popularity, ease of use and the subsequent development of statistical data.

Mohamed Sharil said varying results could be obtained in broadband speed tests as there are various reports besides Ookla, like Akamai and International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

“In fact, if you see Ookla’s own test result, the average broadband speed in Kuala Lumpur is 6.29 Mbps and even Pantai (a location in Kuala Lumpur) shows an average speed of as high as 21.84 Mbps.

“It all depends on where the tests are coming from and how many cities were calculated,” he further said.

Mohamed Sharil added that Malaysia had a robust and vibrant Internet Service Provider (ISP) market, where some may offer higher speed than others.

Consequently, when a speed test is done, the results are averaged out, he said.

- Bernama