Lai added, "Broadband is an essential facet of a nation's economy--look at where some of the region's most developed nations such as South Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong are today. Their household broadband penetration rates--according to second quarter 2008 Point Topic figures--cover 97 per cent, 89 per cent, and 86 per cent, respectively, shows us that being developed is more than just having world-class buildings, but also having the infrastructure to empower their residents to be more productive and efficient."