The Malaysian Internet Exchange (MyIX) says that web traffic crossing over the National Internet Nodes hit an all time high in August 2016. Internet data that peered over these nodes reached a peak of 170Gbps, which represents a year-on-year growth of some 57-percent.
This year represents one a large amount of growth for internet usage in Malaysia, with multiple months peaking above the 100Gbps mark. MyIX chairman Chiew Kok Hin attributes this to improved data plans, mobile internet, and increased content available to Malaysians. An increase in the number of internet nodes this year also contributed to the increase in observed traffic.
An explosion in OTT content is what has largely driven this explosion of internet use. As it turns out, people are more likely to use the internet when they have something to watch. Services like Netflix, iFlix, and music streaming have all pushed internet usage on an upwards trend.
“It’s not just about supplying data packages, there needs to be content as well and content is growing. The growing availability and appeal of OTT players such as Netflix, iFlix and online TV and radio channels are certainly contributing to the exponential growth in internet traffic. These will continue to fuel the rise for the rest of 2016 and beyond,” Chiew says.
