BAU, Sept 16 — Sarawak is getting RM4.46 billion worth of projects under the National Digital Interconnection Plan (Jendela) through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) — the highest allocation nationwide.
The disclosure was made by federal Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil here today.
He said RM2.93 billion is from the federal government and the remaining RM1.53 billion is from service provider companies.
“The Sarawak government has also facilitated the building of telecommunication infrastructures to ensure that the construction and upgrading works of the Jendela telecommunication towers are carried out smoothly,” he said at the Krokong community centre, near here to mark Community Digital Economy Centre Day, which coincides with the 60th Malaysia Day. He said a total of 864 4G telecommunications towers have been planned for Sarawak under Phase 1 of the Jendela project.
He added that 213 towers have been completed by the second quarter of this year and are already operational while the remaining 651 towers are scheduled to operate in stages until the third quarter of next year.
“In addition, 3,689 out of 3,735 existing transmitter stations have been upgraded to provide more good quality services while the upgrading works on the remaining stations will be upgraded in stages until the fourth quarter of this year,” he said.
He said at the same time, MCMC is targeting the expansion of fibre optics to 207,135 residential and business premises for the high speed broadband service. He said 106,331 premises have been provided with optical fibre, while the expansion to the remaining 100,804 premises are expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2024.
Fahmi said a positive impact has been felt through the implementation of Jendela programme in Sarawak, adding that as of the second quarter of 2023, 4G coverage has reached 87.52 per cent in the populated areas.
“In addition, as of August 31, 2023, the implementation of the 5G network in Malaysia has achieved 68.8 per cent coverage in populated areas,” he said.
He added that a total of 322 out of 587 5G sites have been successfully completed in Sarawak. He said his ministry, through Digital Nasional Berhad, is committed to meet the federal government’s aim to achieve a 80 per cent 5G coverage in the populated areas by the end of this year before the country switches to a 5G dual network model as early as January 2024.
He said better connectivity enables the dissemination of information or curbing fake news and content sharing of factual news on social media platforms can be done at a cheaper rate.
Fahmi urged the local community in Bau to fact check any information they received by using the platform Sebenarnya.my portal which is provided by MCMC, first.