KOTA KINABALU – The Sabah government wants to ensure that development projects under the National Digital Network (Jendela), a federal effort to expand 4G coverage and increase internet speed in the state, will be implemented smoothly.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said digital telecommunications coverage in Sabah is still lagging behind, with many places still in a “dark” state without internet access.
“Some (in Pitas) had to climb trees just to get internet coverage and there was a case in Kg Gusi, Ranau, where some students were injured when the suspension bridge they were on collapsed as they gathered there to get internet connection.
“Therefore, Jendela is a good initiative by the federal government through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) because Sabah needs better telecommunications coverage.”
Hajiji said this after listening to a briefing by MCMC chairman Dr Fadhullah Suhaimi Abdul Malek via video conferencing on the Jendela programme at the state administrative centre here today.
He was informed during the briefing that Jendela will be implemented in two phases involving the construction of 41 new telecommunication towers and upgrading of 924 existing base stations to 4G through the Universal Service Provision programme.
Meanwhile, 35 new towers and 1,048 base stations in existing towers will be commercially upgraded by service providers to increase 4G coverage in the state.
A total of 190,115 premises in the state will be given access to fibre optics.
According to Fadhullah, the project is estimated to cost about RM2.5 billion in Sabah.
Hajiji asked MCMC to contact his office directly if they face problems that interfere with the implementation process of the programme.
The Jendela programme, announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on August 29, is a five-year digital infrastructure development plan that will be the platform for improving the country’s digital communications under the 12th Malaysia Plan (2021–2025). – The Vibes, December 3, 2020
