SARAWAK has achieved significant progress in rural telecommunications, reaching 94.5 percent internet coverage based on settlement areas statewide.
Minister of Utility and Telecommunications Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi said telecommunication towers under the Sarawak Multimedia Authority Rural Telecommunication (SMART) initiative and National Digital Network Plan Phase 1 (JENDELA Phase 1) are now fully completed and operational.
“We have achieved 94.5 percent internet coverage based on settlement areas across Sarawak.”he said this in his ministerial winding up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here yesterday (May18).
He said that the next phase of telecommunications development will adopt fit-for-purpose technologies including monopole towers and suitable satellite communication systems.
“These technologies will be deployed according to local geographic conditions to ensure better connectivity in rural and remote areas across Sarawak.
“Although telecommunications infrastructure is under Federal Government responsibility, Sarawak continues strategic intervention to avoid digital exclusion in rural communities,” he said.
He added that this effort is implemented through the Sarawak Linking Urban, Rural and Nation (SALURAN) initiative with an allocation increased to RM2.3 billion.
“Under SALURAN, the SMART project implemented by Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) has completed 600 telecommunication towers successfully.
“An additional 18 SMART towers, including 17 repeater towers and one commercial tower, are being developed to further strengthen rural internet connectivity,” he added.
