KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 14 — The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) with the cooperation of service providers will expedite the provision of digital infrastructure in rural and interior areas through the Universal Service Provider (USP) programme to solve issues of internet access, the Dewan Negara was told today.
Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin said that as of Nov 30 this year, 2,481 of the 5,394 transmitting stations nationwide have been upgraded to 4G technology under the USP programme.
He said under the main contributor method, 362 new towers will be built by the end of 2022, a move that will improve 4G coverage in populated areas nationwide.
“Apart from that, 1,661 new towers will be built through open tenders for rural and interior areas through the Designated Universal Service Provision appointment,” Zahidi said during a question-and-answer session.
He said this in reply to a question from Senator Aknan Ehtook, who wanted to know the steps taken by MCMC to ensure that telecommunications companies expedite works like construction of telecommunications towers in rural areas to improve internet access and quality.
Zahidi also said that in Sabah and Sarawak interiors and Orang Asli villages, work to implement broadband service using satellite technology is in progress at 839 locations and the facility is expected to be ready by early next year.
According to him, broadband satellite services have been implemented at 308 locations throughout the country as of Nov 30 this year.
He said the appointed service providers must follow the approved universal service plan and adhere to the terms and conditions of the Notification of Approval (NoA) and implement it according to schedule.
“Failure to comply with the terms and conditions of the NoA is a basis for MCMC to take monitoring action like initiating the First Information Report (FIR) investigation for non-compliance under the Multimedia and Communications Rules (Universal Service Provision) 2002 and is subject to the imposition of a liquidated damages penalty,” he said.
To a supplementary question from Aknan regarding the ministry’s action to ensure signals are of the same quality at every place, Zahidi said coverage disruption is due to the absence of an internet line transmitter which telcos found not profitable to instal due to the low number of users in the area.
Meanwhile, he said the ministry had received several applications from foreign companies to instal satellites across the country.
He said if possible, the government prefers to acquire a satellite which covers the Straits of Melaka, Peninsular Malaysia, South China Sea, and Sabah and Sarawak as this would be more cost-effective for nationwide coverage.
