SHAH ALAM: While the 2026 Selangor Malaysia Games (SUKMA) provided plenty of excitement, a round-the-clock communications network monitoring operation was also underway to ensure athletes, officials, media personnel and spectators received stable telecommunications services.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) coordinated the operation by monitoring 52 competition venues and establishing a Network Monitoring Centre (NMC) at the SUKMA Secretariat to oversee network performance in real time.
The readiness measures were essential to managing higher user traffic during the biennial Games, especially at high-profile events that drew large numbers of spectators.
Continuous network monitoring helped promptly identify coverage, capacity, and performance issues, enabling follow-up action with telecommunications service providers.
Network capacity was put to the test at the SUKMA opening ceremony in Dataran Kemerdekaan Shah Alam, where high user demand was handled without major congestion or disruptions to telecommunications services.
Network tests and assessments were conducted at competition venues to evaluate coverage, capacity and performance and identify areas where optimisation was needed.
The approach was complemented by MCMC Nexus, an application that lets users test network speed and performance in real time through their own devices.
The application, introduced to SUKMA organisers, sports officials, athletes, volunteers and spectators at competition venues, has recorded nearly 1,500 downloads so far.
Alongside the use of monitoring technology, about 200 volunteers from various backgrounds, ages and ethnic groups supported network readiness by monitoring telecommunications networks and fibre-optic infrastructure in the field.
They also monitored and reported coverage, performance and communications infrastructure issues, particularly during peak periods, enabling technical teams to respond promptly.
The effort underlined that network availability alone was not enough to ensure smooth communications throughout the Games, with continuous monitoring, coordination and response also essential to maintaining connectivity.
As a Strategic Partner of Selangor SUKMA 2026 and a member of the SUKMA Communications Infrastructure and Broadband Committee, MCMC also worked with organisers, telecommunications companies and other stakeholders to coordinate communications infrastructure requirements.
The 22nd SUKMA and Para SUKMA Organising Committee chairman, who is also Selangor Youth, Sports and Entrepreneurship Committee chairman, Mohd Najwan Halimi, thanked MCMC for its commitment and cooperation in maintaining reliable communications and connectivity throughout the Games.
“The support was important in helping provide a smooth experience for everyone, including athletes, officials, media personnel and spectators,” he said.
Digital literacy initiatives were also featured through a Safe Internet Campaign booth, which highlighted TUNGGU 16 and encouraged greater awareness of online scams, cyberbullying and the responsible use of technology.
The booth is estimated to have attracted between 10,000 and 20,000 visitors throughout Selangor SUKMA 2026.
— BERNAMA
