DUN Sarawak: Internet coverage in Sarawak reaches 94.5 percent

KUCHING, 16 Oct: Internet coverage by settlement area in Sarawak is now at 94.5 percent, while implementation of the Phase 2 initiative of National Digital Line Plan (JENDELA) is expected to start in first quarter 2027 to address areas still experiencing coverage problems.

Sarawak Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunications, Datuk Liwan Lagang said the initiative includes construction of new telecom towers as well as provision of satellite-based internet solutions in 337 locations.

According to him, the implementation of the Phase 2 Window is currently in tender stage before it is scheduled to start early next year.

"For rural areas, a total of 618 telecommunications towers of the Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) through the initiative of the Sarawak Multimedia Authority Rural Telecommunication (SMART) as well as 196 other telecommunications towers provide connectivity services via the Sarawak Outdoor Broadband Network (MySRBN)," he said.

He said this while answering the question of Sentosa City State Legislative Assembly Member, Wilfred Yap Yau Sin, at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Conference here today.

"The implementation of MySRBN infrastructure through the existing telecommunications tower and the new SMART tower helps address the communication gap in rural areas by providing fixed wireless broadband services", he said.

He said that the technology enables people in rural and rural areas to enjoy high-speed internet access, especially in locations where it is difficult to get conventional fixed line connectivity.

The facility is also equipped with a high-speed direct to residential (FTTH) fibre optic connection via MySRBN XL using the PoP infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Liwan announced that internet coverage by settlement area in DUN Kota Sentosa now reaches 98.5 percent.

The implementation of the various initiatives reflects ongoing efforts to address coverage blind spot areas and improve internet access, especially for rural and rural communities in Sarawak. -TVS