KUCHING: The installation of 3,800 telecommunication towers by SACOFA Sdn Bhd (SACOFA) throughout the state will need high-level discussion with the state government.
According to its Managing Director, Mohamed Zaid Zaini, a meeting has yet to be held to discuss the matter with the Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Haji Johari Tun Openg.
“Pushing towards a digital economy, his (Chief Minister’s) proposal is essential for Sarawak to have a greater and a more efficient connectivity so that more economic activities could come about in the state.
“However, the matter has not yet been officially discussed and the last time I spoke to him was during the International ICT Infrastructure and Digital Economy Conference Sarawak (IDECS) last week and now he is on official visit to Europe.
“If the project is to proceed, we at SACOFA have the capabilities of realising this,” said Mohamed Zaid during a roundtable session with the media at Hilton Kuching, yesterday.
Accompanying Mohamed Zaid at the session were SACOFA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sudarnoto Osman, head of Regulatory and Compliance Sii Kiang Seng and Corporate Communication head Mohammad Sait.
Mohamed Zaid revealed that SACOFA had 141 contractors specialised in the construction of telecommunication towers and 120 contractors specialised in fibre optic cable installation.
“Since SACOFA is a homegrown company, it is only right to say that our contractors are 99 per cent Sarawakian contractors who have been groomed since SACOFA was formed.
“This is also the reason why we are able to remain consistent and strong to provide telecommunication infrastructure in the state,” he added.
Currently, there are 1,200 telecommunication towers in Sarawak and 70 to 80 per cent of them are already equipped with fibre optic cables that provide 4G network communication speed.
“In order for the whole of Sarawak to be well connected, the state actually needs five times the current number of communication towers.
“By 2020, we aim to provide 95 per cent of broadband coverage for Sarawak and by 2030, 100 per cent coverage in populated areas.
“To erect 3,800 telecommunication towers in five years is possible and all we need is the necessary set of plans. Also, it will not be a problem for us to increase the speed of transmitting data by terabytes as envisioned by the Chief Minister as it only requires to set up specialised electronics to do so,” said Mohamed Zaid.
He also said that the construction of the towers would also be adherent to international safety guidelines and engineering integrity standards practised in the industry.
