KUCHING: Seven thousand telecommunication towers and structures are needed to cover the entire populated area in Sarawak.
Utilities and Telecommunication Minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi said the figure included telecommunication towers and structures that had been built and yet to be erected.
“Our target is to achieve full coverage by the year 2025 and it is estimated that 7,000 towers are needed.
“This figure is based on studies that have been conducted by the Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) and Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC),” he said at a press conference after an engagement session with telecommunication agencies and service providers at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) yesterday.
Julaihi stated that there were challenges in achieving the target, especially when Sarawak had vast and challenging terrains.
“During the engagement session, the telecommunication agencies and service providers shared the challenges faced in providing connectivity coverage throughout Sarawak both in urban and rural areas.
“Unfortunately, vandalism does occur at the telecommunication tower and structure sites. When cables are damaged or stolen, it will affect the connectivity services,” he said.
He said his ministry recently met with Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan on expediting approvals for sites as needed by the telecommunication agencies and service providers.
“We hope this will be solved so that the construction of telecommunication towers and structures throughout Sarawak, including in the rural areas can be expediate.
“It is not just about erecting the towers and structures, these will have to be equipped with the necessary equipment to provide network services.
“The Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is ready to coordinate and assist us in achieving our target so we can complete the telecommunication towers and coverage,” he said.
Among the telecommunication agencies that participated in yesterday’s session were SMA, MCMC, SDEC, Sacofa Sdn Bhd, Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd, and Sarawak Energy Berhad while the major service provers were Telekom Malaysia Berhad, CELCOM Axia Berhad, Digi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd (Sarawak), Maxis Berhad and U Mobile Sdn Bhd.
Also present were Assistant Minister Datuk Liwan Lagang, Permanent Secretary Datuk Alice Jawan Empaling and other dignitaries.
