KUCHING: Telecommunication service providers and industry players are needed to improve accessibility and connectivity to the internet across Sarawak, especially within the interior of the region.
Minister of Utilities and Telecommunication Datuk Julaihi Narawi said should more telco service providers come in, it will speed up the connectivity, not just in cities but also in rural and coastal areas.
With Sarawak’s vast land and rough terrain, he said there are many challenges to accessibility.
“However, with internet connectivity, it will allow people access into digital space. This is one of our goals in the digital era where we need internet accessibility in all corners of Sarawak.
“That is why we want telco companies and industry players to help us to speed up the connectivity state-wide,” said Julaihi while officiating the Regional Internet Hub at Maxis Technical Operations Centre, Bintawa on Wednesday morning (Aug 16).
Maxis’ new Regional Internet Hub is an important network investment to improve customer Internet experience and caters to the high data volume as well as anticipated volume growth.
The company was the first telecommunications company to build a Regional Internet Hub in Sarawak with direct international content connections and successfully reduced 58 per cent of mobile traffic in East Malaysia as a result of being placed in this regional hub.
Julaihi said it is timely for the telco company to open the internet hub in Sarawak as it will speed up the digital transformation initiatives happening in the region.
“I very much welcome the efforts by Maxis to help us accelerate the transformation we are aiming for and directly help Sarawakians, whether in the city or outside the city, in economic activities in particular the digital economy,” he said.
In terms of telecommunications infrastructure, the Sarawak government wants to ensure equitable access to high-speed internet connectivity for all citizens – in the cities, rural areas, coastal areas and those living near the border.
In a media conference, Julaihi said this will accelerate the digital transformation effort as it is one of the important components or enablers for Sarawak becoming a high income state in 2030.
“I hope that more service providers and other telco companies will follow the steps taken by Maxis so that they can help us speed up the statewide digital transformation in the near future.
“It is very important for us mobilise and accelerate the economic development that has been planned by the Sarawak government as stipulated in PCDS 2030,” he said.
