Johari launches 3,800km long submarine cable system

KUCHING: The submarine cable system, the 1Malaysia People’s Cable System (SKR1M), launched yesterday was part of the government’s initiative to upgrade the quality of internet access in Sarawak. Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Johari Tun Openg said with the provision of core backbone connectivity by SKR1M, more consumers would be able to enjoy a digital lifestyle fully besides further enhancing the development of digital economy.

He said it would hugely benefit the people here in terms of digital economy transformation and the government would enhance synergies and cooperation with industry players to provide the necessary infrastructure for better internet connectivity within the state.

“The cable system, which has three landing points in the state namely, Kuching, Bintulu and Miri will vastly benefit the people as well as boosting the state’s economic growth,” he said at the launch of the SKR1M by Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) at Pullman Hotel here yesterday.

SKR1M is the outcome of a public- private partnership between TM and the government through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) which is developed with the objective to enhance the domestic submarine cable connection between the peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak, specifically to meet the needs of bandwidth growth in future.

The new submarine cable system is over 3,800km long with an initial capacity of four Terabit, built with advanced 100 Gbps technology that can be upgraded to a design capacity of at least 12.8 Tbps, and it is anchored at six locations in Mersing, Kuching, Bintulu, Miri, Kota Kinabalu and Kuantan. Meanwhile, Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) Chairman, Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Sulaiman Mahbob stated the development of the SKR1M cable system was in line with their efforts as Malaysia’s Convergence Champion.

“The development demonstrates our strong support of the government’s initiatives toward increasing the capacity of highspeed broadband in the country, hence accelerating the transformation of the digital economy especially in Sarawak. “We are honoured to be given the opportunity to become the strategic partner in this nation building initiative. This will enable the delivery of seamless integrated solutions and accelerate customers’ access to the digital world.

“The SKR1M cable system is also testament of TM as the country’s key enabler for communications infrastructure. We are proud to be one trusted to deliver this integral piece of the nation’s communications backbone which is something that figures highly in the nation’s interest,” he pointed out.A lso present at the launch were TM Chairman, Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Sulaiman Mahbob, TM Group Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Bazlan Osman and MCMC Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Dr. Mazlan Ismail.