KUCHING: Sarawak is on track to achieve 93.6 per cent internet coverage by the end of 2025, with 90.2 per cent of settlements already connected under a multi-agency rural digital transformation effort.
Utility and Telecommunication Minister Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi said that as of May 31, a total of 582 out of 618 towers planned under the Sarawak’s SMA Rural Transformation (SMART) project have been completed, with the remaining 36 under progress.
“SMART project includes the implementation of 600 telecommunication towers and 18 repeater towers, one of the state’s largest infrastructure projects equipped with the Multi-Operator Core Network (MOCN) system, allowing multiple telcos to share infrastructure, reduce costs, and accelerate coverage expansion.
“Among the completed towers, 481 are already on-air and delivering services, including 420 towers offering both Sarawak Rural Broadband Network (MySRBN) service and 4G mobile service using ulti-Operator Core Network (MOCN) technology, 55 towers providing MySRBN only, and six towers functioning as repeater sites.
“The current internet coverage by settlement is at 90.2 per cent and is expected to reach 93.6 per cent by end of 2025,” he said.
He said this in his text speech read out by deputy permanent secretary to the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication Syed Mohamad Fauzi Shahab during the Unimas Digital Technology Nexus 2025 (DigitalNEXUS) programme organised by Unimas at Hilton Hotel here today.
Reaffirming Sarawak’s commitment to cutting-edge digital access, Julaihi said the state was among the earliest in Malaysia to adopt 5G technology.
“Currently, 5G coverage in populated areas (COPA) stands at 63.8 per cent.
“5G enhanced capabilities, including higher speeds, lower latency and increased capacity are poised to revolutionise advancements in Sarawak in areas like remote healthcare, industrial automation, transportation, smart cities and entertainment, enabling new possibilities, efficiencies and productivity gain,” he said.
He added that to ensure immediate access, initiatives such as WiFi Saluran and Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) have been implemented to provide wireless internet to rural and suburban homes.
Julaihi said that the state’s progress is the result of strong collaboration among the Sarawak government, through the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication (MUT), Sarawak Multimedia Authority Sarawak (SMA), Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC), Sarawak Information Systems (SAINS) and in close collaboration with Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and major telecommunications providers.
These advancements support Sarawak’s broader development goals uder the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), which the state is finalising.
