KUCHING: The Sarawak Government is making significant progress in its efforts to improve and accelerate internet coverage, particularly in rural areas, as part of its digital transformation plan.
Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Julaihi Narawi said recognising the importance of internet connectivity as a fundamental right, the government has allocated RM1.89 billion for the implementation of the Sarawak Linking Urban, Rural, and Nation (SALURAN) initiative.
“The SALURAN initiative aims to expand internet access and enable digital transformation in Sarawak, facilitating the growth of the digital economy and various online services such as e-commerce, e-government, e-learning, digital healthcare, smart agriculture and the development of smart cities.
“To expedite the expansion of internet coverage, the Sarawak government has provided additional support to the federal government, allocating RM4.09 billion for the implementation of the JENDELA Phase One initiative, including the construction of 842 new towers.
“One of the main challenges faced in improving internet coverage in rural areas is the remote and scattered placement of towers, coupled with inadequate infrastructure and challenging topography,” he said in a press statement yesterday (May 30).
However, he added, the Sarawak government is actively addressing these challenges through the implementation of the SMART 600 project, which involves the construction of towers and the installation of telecommunication equipment.
The SMART 600 project encompasses various stages, including site identification, surveying, soil investigation, engineering design, access road construction, tower erection, electrical supply installation, and the testing and commissioning of equipment.
These construction works will take a minimum of 18 months before the towers can become operational. The first phase of SMART towers is expected to be fully operational by the third quarter of 2023, while the second phase, involving the construction of 300 towers, is targeted to be operational by the first quarter of 2024.
“It is important to note that both the SMART towers and the JENDELA towers, constructed by the federal government through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and mobile service providers, are designed to complement each other.
“Together, they aim to achieve full internet coverage across Sarawak, with a total of 7000 towers planned. Currently, 3708 towers have been constructed by various entities, including MCMC, the Sarawak Multimedia Authority (now taken over by the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation), and commercial towers built by telecommunication service providers,” he added.
While there may have been concerns about the delay in equipping the SMART towers with telecommunication equipment, these worries are being addressed.
The Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation has actively carried out the installation works, with 197 towers already equipped with telecommunication equipment.
“Out of these, 70 towers have been operational since the recent Hari Raya festival, and another 55 towers are expected to be operational during the upcoming Gawai festival. The entire first phase of SMART towers is expected to be fully operational in the third quarter of 2023.”
Julaihi added that the Sarawak government’s efforts to improve and accelerate internet coverage in rural areas are progressing well, with significant investments and active construction works taking place.
The implementation of the SALURAN and JENDELA initiatives, along with the SMART tower project, aims to ensure that every Malaysian citizen in Sarawak has access to reliable internet connectivity, supporting the region’s digital transformation and economic development goals.
