OUT of the 864 towers to be built in Sarawak under the National Digital Network (Jendela), 213 have been erected as of the second quarter of this year, Deputy Communications and Digital Minister Teo Nie Ching said.

She said in the same period, 3,689 out of 3,735 transmitters were upgraded and 106,331 out of 207,135 buildings have been equipped with optical fibre access.

She said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has used satellite technology to expand internet coverage, particularly in remote areas, with 523 locations now enjoying internet services via broadband wireless access.

“As of Q2 2023, the 4G coverage in populated areas in Sarawak has reached 87.52%. The remaining initiatives are expected to be completed in stages by the end of 2025,” she said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.

She was responding to a question by Ahmad Johnie Zawawi (Igan-GPS), who asked about the progress of Jendela in Sarawak and its expected completion date.

Teo said for Igan, seven of the 14 new towers have been completed and were operational, while all 50 transmitter stations have been upgraded.

She said under Jendela, the MCMC was working to provide internet services in areas lacking coverage.

Among the challenges faced by the agency and service providers in expanding internet coverage in rural areas were scattered populations, low-density areas, villages only accessible via rivers and localities without electricity to power the towers.

She said Phase 1 of the point-of-presence plan comprised 60 projects across Sarawak, with two fully completed in Igan.

“For Phase 2 in Sarawak, there are 681 project sites, and so far six have been completed. The remaining projects are set to be completed by October 31, 2025.

“For Igan, 16 projects have been listed, and the contractors believe they can complete several projects this year,” she said. – Bernama, October 18, 2023.