KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 41 out of 44 new communication towers planned in the Selangau parliamentary constituency under phase one of the Jalinan Digital Negara (JENDELA) initiative have been completed and are now operational.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the remaining three towers are currently under implementation and are expected to be completed in stages by the end of this year.
He said this in a written reply to Selangau MP Edwin Banta during the recent Dewan Rakyat session here.
Statewide, Sarawak has achieved a 93 per cent completion rate, with 845 out of 910 planned towers already operational as of May 31.
Fahmi also said Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is now planning JENDELA Phase Two, which will address internet access gaps in still-unserved populated areas.
“This involves identifying fit-for-purpose solutions, including the possible use of satellite technology, as well as evaluating funding capacity through the Universal Service Provision (USP) Fund,” he added.
He said a project management consultant (PMC) appointed by MCMC is currently conducting site studies to determine suitable service options, taking into account terrain and population distribution in the respective areas.
