PADAWAN: Frequent vandalism of telecommunications infrastructure is disrupting connectivity in Puncak Borneo despite all 35 new towers under the National Digital Network Plan (JENDELA) being operational.
Puncak Borneo MP Datuk Willie Mongin said damage to one facility could affect several towers as the network infrastructure was interconnected.
“One act of vandalism can affect several towers because they are interconnected,” he said during a media night held at Dewan Sinaruh, Puncak Borneo Service Centre on Saturday (Sept 19).
He said a recent disruption affecting residents of Kampung Gerung was traced to vandalism following checks with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
Willie believed cables could be among the components targeted, although the motive behind the vandalism remained unclear.
He called on the MCMC, SACOFA and Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) to explore stronger measures to protect telecommunications facilities in the constituency.
“I understand the frustration among the public, especially in Puncak Borneo, because I am also facing the same problem.
“This is something that needs to be addressed,” he said.
Based on JENDELA data as of February this year, all 35 new telecommunications towers planned for Puncak Borneo had been completed and were providing 4G services through Celcom, Digi, Maxis and U Mobile.
The constituency has 140 telecommunications structures in total, comprising the 35 new JENDELA towers, 36 existing MCMC Universal Service Provision towers, 41 commercial towers, seven 5G towers and 21 Sarawak Multimedia Authority Rural Telecommunication towers.
All 172 base stations identified for 4G network upgrades had also been completed, while fixed broadband coverage had expanded to 10,290 premises, exceeding the initial target of 7,892.
However, 23 locations have been identified for further network improvements, including Paku town, Kampung Segubang, Kampung Sentah, Bengoh Dam and several rural roads and settlements.
Eight National Information Dissemination Centres (NADI) are also operating within the parliamentary constituency.
