Impact of Internet Access and Accessibility Initiatives in Facilitating Students’ M40 and B40 Groups’ Needs during COVID-19 Prevention Measure Period

Abstract

Malaysia was badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic starting in February 2020 and the first Movement Control Order (MCO) was announced a month later. Since then, almost all social and economic sectors have been affected including the education sector. The problem emerged when not all students could afford to buy the equipment and subscription to the Internet, especially those who come from B40 and M40 groups. Realizing the urgent need to address the problem, the government agencies and a few corporate bodies including the Selangor State Government, TM, and Digi have come out with immediate solutions by providing special packages for the Internet data plans to B40 and M40 groups. The purpose of this proposal is to review the impact of Internet Access and Accessibility Initiatives in Facilitating Students’ M40 and B40 groups’ needs during the COVID-19 Prevention Measure Period. By exploring existing scholars from UTAUT model components and the effect of demographic profile towards behavioral intention, this research pursues to fill up the gap in the literature to review the impact of internet access among M40 and B40 groups of students. The proposed research design for this study is a quantitative approach, whereby this research will be conducted by distributing a survey questionnaire to those who have received the special packages for the Internet data plans. It is expected that input from respondents can be used to improve the effectiveness of these initiatives and to heighten the awareness among students on the importance of education for their future success.