BAU: Sarawak has received the highest allocation of RM4.46 billion under the National Digital Network (Jendela) project to boost its connectivity and internet services.
Communications and digital minister Fahmi Fadzil said the project was implemented by the federal government through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
“Of the total, RM2.93 billion involves allocations from the government. The remaining amount of RM1.53 billion is commercially provided by service providers.”
Speaking at the Hari Bersama Komuniti of the Digital Economy Centre (PEDi) in Krokong here today, he said the Jendala project had two phases, aimed at enhancing connectivity coverage and the quality of internet services.
“A total of 864 4G telecommunication towers have been planned for Sarawak through Phase 1 of Jendela.
“In the second quarter of this year, 213 towers became operational. The remaining 651 towers will start operating in stages until the third quarter of 2024.”
Fahmi said the Sarawak government has facilitated the construction and upgrading of the Jendela towers to enable 3,689 of the 3,735 existing transmitter stations to be upgraded. The remainder will be upgraded by the end of this year.
Regarding MCMC’s target to expand high-speed broadband services using fibre optics to 207,135 residential and business premises, he said 106,331 premises have already been connected with optical fibre. The remaining 100,804 premises will get theirs by the end of 2024.
“As of the second quarter of this year, 4G coverage had reached 87.52% in populated areas.”
He said work on 322 of the planned 587 5G sites had been completed in the state.
As of Aug 31, he said the 5G network coverage in populated areas in Malaysia had reached 68.8%.
“The ministry through Digital Nasional Bhd is committed to achieving 80% 5G coverage in populated areas by the end of this year,” he added.