MALAYSIA wants telecommunications coverage extended beyond populated areas to strategically important economic locations, warning that network failures at major ports, transport networks and industrial hubs could disrupt supply chains and economic activities across borders.
Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said the proposed Coverage of Economic Areas (CoEA) framework would complement the existing Coverage of Populated Areas (CoPA) initiative by prioritising connectivity at locations critical to the country's economic operations.
He said ports, railway networks, highways and industrial hubs might serve relatively small populations but required reliable telecommunications infrastructure to maintain uninterrupted operations.
A disruption at a major port, for instance, could affect cargo handling, interrupt supply chains and trigger economic repercussions beyond national borders.
Fahmi said the growing threats facing digital infrastructure, including extreme weather, cyberattacks, power outages and submarine cable damage, made network resilience an increasingly urgent priority.
"For Malaysia, this raises an important question: Are we giving sufficient attention to connectivity resilience in areas that are critical to the national economy?" he said.
He was speaking at the High-Level Thematic Dialogue on Resilience during the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference 2026 (PP-26) in Doha.
Fahmi said Malaysia had proposed that the ITU explore the CoEA concept with other member states as a complementary framework for assessing connectivity and supporting inclusive and sustainable digital development.
He stressed that expanding network coverage alone was insufficient unless telecommunications infrastructure could withstand disruptions and recover quickly.
This would require adequate network redundancy, alternative connectivity routes, backup power supplies and rapid service restoration capabilities.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and satellite communications could also strengthen network monitoring, disaster preparedness and the continuity of essential services.
Fahmi said international cooperation was crucial because digital infrastructure was interconnected, allowing telecommunications disruptions in one country to have consequences elsewhere.
The ITU could support member states through common technical standards, capacity building and the sharing of best practices to strengthen network resilience.
"Ultimately, resilience is not just about protecting our networks but also safeguarding the communities, essential services and economic activities that depend on them," he said.
He reaffirmed Malaysia's commitment to working with the ITU and other member states to build a safer, more reliable and resilient digital future. - November 11, 2026
