KUCHING: Communication satellite technology may soon provide an alternative to traditional methods of delivering communication services, according to the Minister of Communication, Fahmi Fadzil.
“This new technology is interesting and, if commercialised, could connect remote areas to communication networks without the need for telecommunications towers,” he told a press conference after the signing of the SMART600 MOCN agreement ceremony at Hikmah Exchange on Saturday.
He said that within the next two years, several companies are expected to express interest in providing satellite internet services.
“If it becomes commercially viable, there will be areas where towers are unnecessary,” he added.
Fahmi also highlighted the benefits of satellite technologies like Starlink, explaining that they could supplement the existing telecommunications infrastructure.
“The advent of this technology means we aren’t solely dependent on installing optical fibre cables anymore,” he said.
He is optimistic about the immediate applications of this technology but emphasised the need for flexibility in planning and adopting new technologies.
Additionally, Fahmi said that Telekom Malaysia is exploring ‘Free Space Optical Communication,’ which doesn’t rely on optical fibres and can transmit data at high speeds over distances up to 2 kilometres.
