THE government would ensure 5G coverage in at least 50% of rural areas by the middle of next year, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.

He said the government would ensure not less than 85% of rural areas have 5G coverage by the end of 2024.

“The remaining 15% are mountainous areas that are quite difficult to reach. We are carrying out this effort because we feel rural folks deserve (5G coverage), too.

“We don’t want them to have to climb trees to access the internet,” the rural and regional development minister said on Radio Televisyen Malaysia today.

Zahid said his ministry, the Communications and Digital Ministry and the Orang Asli Development Department have identified several Orang Asli settlements in which to install Starlink satellite devices to improve the community’s internet access. – Bernama, October 15, 2023.