SIBU: The Ministry of Communications and Digital and the Sarawak government are determined to continue advancing the telecommunications network here and in the populated areas in the region.
Deputy Minister Teo Nie Ching said her ministry is working to expand the 5G network by the end of this year by targeting at least 80 per cent coverage throughout Malaysia.
She said this in her speech while attending a briefing on the digital infrastructure development in Song by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) at the Song District Office here yesterday (May 4).
Meanwhile, Katibas assemblyman Lidam Assan said since a total of 23,000 residents from 160 longhouses here need a telecommunications network, he urged the related agency to speed up the digital infrastructure facilities in the state, particularly in Song.
“This will bring economic benefits to the local people to market local products such as handicrafts and agricultural products,” he said.
A total of 13 schools in Song will be equipped with telecommunication facilities under the Point of Presence (POP) phase 2 projects.
So far, only SK Cardinal Vaughan has been developed as part of the project’s first phase.
The phase 2 POP project can benefit at least 68,100 users within a 3km radius of nearby communities and premises.
The main objective of Project POP Phase 2 is to provide high-speed internet access, especially to rural communities, and reduce the digital divide among the people to keep pace with the latest technological advances.
The Sarawak government is working with Putrajaya to develop telecommunications facilities through initiatives such as the SMART Tower and the Sarawak Rural Broadband Network (MySRBN) Project.
MCMC Sarawak director Adiman Ajem said 216 operating sites for 5G network facilities, 87.12 per cent of 4G coverage in populated areas as of the fourth quarter of 2022 and for Song district reached 44.67 per cent.
“There are 13 telecommunication towers already in operation, eight of which are under USP funds of MCMC and five are commercial. While 32 towers are under implementation for 2023. “Meanwhile, 17 towers are under MCMC and 15 towers are under the Sarawak Development Economy Corporation (SDEC),” he said.
Teo visited Song’s Pusat Ekonomi Digital Keluarga Malaysia (PEDi) and the JENDELA Nanga Sesawak telecommunications tower here, after the briefing session.
