KUALA LUMPUR – The government is looking to use the services of foreign satellites to consolidate connectivity during floods, said Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin.
The deputy communications and multimedia minister said the government was seeking the use of satellites, especially those that can provide 5G connectivity, to prevent downtime during such disasters.
“The problem is that (mobile) connections are often lost during floods because some towers are not functioning,” he told reporters after attending an Umno Supreme Council meeting yesterday evening.
“During floods, the electricity supply is lost and this means there is no GPS service.”
Zahidi also said that satellite technology would assist in flood disaster management.
“It will be able to track which areas are struck by floods and other flood-prone areas. Call centres will also use the satellites.”
Zahidi said this was among the improvements to the government’s flood response efforts that would be implemented soon after a decision on the matter was finalised.
“The spending will not be big and will not involve billions,” he said, adding that the move could be implemented as early as in eight months’ time. – The Vibes, January 13, 2021
