AMID revelation of a 23-year-old degree student in rural Telupid, Sabah having travelled as far as 130km to obtain sufficient network strength to attend online classes, neighbouring Sarawak is on course to achieving 100% internet coverage in come 2025.
Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) Sarawak has previously targeted to achieve full coverage by end-2022 involving an allocation of RM4.09 bil but was unable to due to setbacks stemming from lockdowns triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as vastness of the state.
The latest sign that the state is hastening the installation of its digital infrastructure is the selection of Juniper Networks, a leader in secure AI (artificial intelligence)-driven networks by network service provider PP Telecommunication Sdn Bhd (PPTEL) to erect a new core network.
This network will provide the foundation to help PPTEL meet the demand for critical high-speed internet connectivity, enabling consumers and businesses access to richer digital experiences and services.
The move also comes as Malaysia’s largest state prepares to undergo major changes to its digital infrastructure as part of the Sarawak Multimedia Authority’s (SMA) plans to fast track the state’s digital economy.
PPTEL’s infrastructure puts the company in a unique position to support these plans – the company relies on submarine cables from strategic locations in the region to drive latency down while keeping services efficient and cost-effective.
To better support Sarawak’s digital economy goals and PPTEL’s own plans to expand its services to Southeast Asia, the service provider selected Juniper’s routing and switching solutions to build its new core network.
With 5G on the horizon, the solutions offered by Juniper will enable PPTEL to scale its network efficiently while ensuring that consumers and businesses are able to fully harness the benefits of 5G connectivity from high-volume streaming content and new digital experiences to unlocking business opportunities
“There are numerous opportunities for Sarawak to advance in its digital transformation, and we are excited to partner with Juniper Networks in this journey,” commented PPTEL’s CEO Jonathan Smith.
“As Sarawak and the rest of Malaysia prepare for 5G, it is critical that our infrastructure is innovative and ahead of the curve to deliver the network experiences we desire.”
In a related development, the percentage of 4G coverage in Sarawak’s populated areas had increased to 82.86% in 4Q 2021, according to the state’s Utility and Telecommunications Minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi.
He said the percentage would continue to increase with the construction of 636 new 4G towers under Phase 1 of JENDELA (National Digital Network Plan) with most of them to be set up from February this year.
“Of the 636 towers, 299 have been awarded to the appointed service providers in January, and are expected to operate in 3Q 2023,” he projected. “The remaining 337 towers were awarded in March 2022 and will take about a year to complete.” – April 2022
Photo credit: Borneo Today
