ALL 600 Sarawak Multimedia Authority Rural Telecommunication (SMART) towers in Sarawak are now operational with MySRBN internet services, marking a significant milestone in Sarawak’s rural connectivity agenda.
Utility and Telecommunication Minister Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi said 510 of the SMART towers are already delivering 4G services while the remaining towers are expected to achieve full 4G capability by the end of the month.
“This achievement represents the near completion of a long and challenging journey, and it shows that our promise to the people has finally been fulfilled.
“The SMART towers, which were implemented under the state-funded SMART project, form the backbone of the Sarawak Linking Urban, Rural and Nation (SALURAN) initiative, to which Sarawak has allocated RM2.3 billion.
“Although internet coverage is under the responsibility of the Federal, Sarawak chose to move forward because our rural communities cannot afford to be left behind,” he said in his winding-up speech at the DUN sitting on Monday (Dec 1).
According to him, there are currently 618 towers, including 18 repeater towers, being built under SMART by the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC), and every completed site represents more than just physical infrastructure.
“Behind each tower stands the hope of parents who want their children to learn without disruption, small traders who want to expand their income, and interior communities who have waited patiently to be connected.
“When we are committed, no distance is too remote and no terrain too difficult. This is the Sarawak government’s gift to its people, that every voice, every dream, and every life deserves to be connected.”
On federal efforts, he said that all 636 National Digital Network (JENDELA) Phase 1 towers are operational with 4G under the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), and Phase 2 is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026.
“JENDELA Phase 2 will not only expand coverage but also address quality issues so that user experiences become more stable and reliable.”
