KUCHING: The Sarawak government and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will be working together to improve and provide quality network connectivity in the state.
MCMC chairman Al-Ishsal Ishak said as the state government was taking the lead to have 5G in the main industries, there was a need to have a secure solid and high-quality network.
“Today, we are at the basic stage of ensuring the working aspect between MCMC, Sarawak government through Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA). And I have a meeting with Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and he welcomes this collaboration,” he said when met by reporters after the launch of International Digital Economy Conference Sarawak (Idecs) 2019 at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) yesterday.
He said a working committee had been set up to oversee the investments on towers from the Universal Service Provision (USP) fund and state government fund so that they could be synchronised.
“We don’t want to have any overlap so that the limited financial resources we have can last longer,” he explained.
He said Sarawak was a big state with an Internet penetration of 113 per cent. Since not all areas were covered by networks, they were looking at providing basic coverage in some areas and improving the speed and quality of coverage in other areas.
“5G technology can be implemented today in industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, smart cities, transportation and other specific industries where the usage is very high and this can be done this year or next year.
“But for the public, the use of 5G technology is very low, and maybe it can be fully utilised in 2021 or later in Sarawak,” he said. Hence, MCMC and the state government would continue to improve the connectivity including 5G.
