4G MOBILE broadband coverage in Selangor’s populated areas reached 99.87% in the first quarter of 2023, with speeds of up to 55.96 Mbps, said Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

He said the exercise under phase one of the National Digital Network Plan (Jendela) showed encouraging achievements, with 17 new telecommunication towers planned for completion by the end of the year.

“Eleven of them have been completed and telecommunication providers are taking action on the installation of communication equipment. However, I received information this morning that eight of the 11 towers are not yet on air.

“I will visit one of these eight soon. If I find there are no immediate plans to activate these towers, they should be prepared. I ask that this matter be expedited,” he said.

Fahmi was speaking at the “Day with Digital Economy Centre Community” programme in Kanchong Darat in Banting today. 

He said so far, 8,457 transmitter stations have been upgraded to 4G, with only 19 stations remaining.

Fahmi said he will ask telecommunication service providers to intensify efforts to promote the prepaid and broadband unity packages by the ministry. 

“In February, the government announced the prepaid unity package, and in March we unveiled the unity package for broadband. If you are still not aware, let me know, and I will call all the telco CEOs to ask why they are not publicising these benefits for the rakyat,” he said.

The Communications and Digital Ministry introduced the Mobile Internet Prepaid Unity Package, better known as the Unity Package, at RM30.

Fahmi said 28 fibre-optic Point of Presence (PoP) facilities have been completed, ready for subscription by at least 2,912 handlers to widen the network coverage for broadband infrastructure.

He said 226 PoP initiatives were planned for development in Selangor, with 52 PoP under the first phase and 174 under the second phase. 

On the “Saya Digital” programme, Fahmi said the initiative has benefited 16,081 participants throughout the country, including 3,195 people in Selangor, in the two years it has been active.

He said the programme has fostered awareness, especially among the B40, senior citizens and students, to adapt to technology to enhance their digital skills. – Bernama, July 9, 2023.