In this regard, the year 2022 saw the continued deployment of various Universal Service Provision (“USP”) funded initiatives to improve broadband coverage and quality which form an integral part of the Pelan Jalinan Digital Negara (“JENDELA”).
One notable milestone achieved in 2022 was the successful deployment of 28 new Pusat Ekonomi Digital (“PEDi”), bringing the total number of PEDi throughout the country to 911. These centres provide collective internet access for local communities and facilitate the availability of various Information and Communications Technology (“ICT”) and digital entrepreneurship training programmes for local communities. Through these efforts, more people, particularly those living in rural areas, would be able to leverage on opportunities afforded by the digital economy.
The Broadband Wireless Access (“BWA”) via Satellite initiative was undertaken by MCMC to provide broadband connectivity through WiFi services in remote areas in Sabah and Sarawak, as well as in Orang Asli settlements in Peninsular Malaysia. The initiative started in 2021, and by 2022, a total of 839 BWA sites were successfully deployed. This endeavour has allowed communities living in remote areas have access to the Internet sooner, notwithstanding the rather challenging geographical terrain and remoteness of these locations.
In addition to this, as part of MCMC’s emphasis on expanding coverage and improving the quality of digital connectivity, 160 new communications towers were constructed in 2022, and 1,886 base stations at existing towers were upgraded, resulting in the expansion of 4G coverage nationwide. Additionally, 103 towers and 62,813 premises have been fiberised, while network migration from copper to fibre optic involving 185,352 subscribers were completed for provision of faster and more reliable services. A 30-kilometres-long submarine cable was also successfully deployed, connecting Pulau Redang to Marang in Terengganu and enhancing bandwidth capacity for improved services within the island.
MCMC remains resolute in its goal to further improve and expand digital connectivity throughout Malaysia, particularly in remote and rural areas, to ensure that no Malaysian is left behind as the country transitions to a digital-driven economy and to support the digital aspirations of the country.
