Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) is using Free-Space Optical Communication (FSO) technology to provide high-speed internet on Pulau Bum Bum, with potential for broader national deployment, according to Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
FSO technology can be a solution in challenging areas where building telecom towers is difficult. Currently, about 3% of Malaysia’s populated areas lack internet, affecting approximately 2,800 communities, according to Bernama.
Of these, only 15% can be serviced by traditional telecom towers, while the remaining 85% may need hybrid solutions like satellite, VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal), or FSO technology.
What is FSO?
FSO technology, explained by TM One executive Vice-President Shazurawati Abd Karim, transmits data through light over distances up to three kilometres, offering gigabit broadband speeds.
“Free space” refers to environments like air, outer space, or a vacuum, as opposed to solid mediums such as optical fibre cables. Starlink by SpaceX is an example of FSO technology.
![](https://techtrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Low-Res_Mini_FSO-920.jpg)
Besides Pulau Bum Bum, FSO has been implemented in Pulau Aman (Penang), Maludam, and Beladin (Sarawak) since 2022.