To achieve 100% coverage in populated areas by 2025, the National Digital Network (JENDELA) Plan will now turn its attention to providing internet to higher learning institutions (IPTA), army camps and expressways.
Since JENDELA’s inception in 2020, the internet coverage for populated areas is at 97.03% in the third quarter of this year, with broadband speeds exceeding 100 Mbps according to Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission Chief Executive Officer Datuk Mohd Ali Hanafiah Mohd Yunus.
We get a lot of requests, for example at IPTAs, army camps and even highways. Since there is a request we will cooperate with the relevant ministries, but the issue is for us to gain access to these areas to build the towers. Sometimes, it may take a long time due to commercial issues, likewise in army camps which may involve security issues and so on.
Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission Chief Executive Officer Datuk Mohd Ali Hanifiah Mohd Yunus
He also mentioned the issues with obtaining the site to build a tower for highways, saying that the process might take a short or long time, based on reports from Bernama.
Malaysia’s 5G growth one of the fastest in the world
Talking about 5G, he said currently the coverage has reached 73% of the population as of last October.
According to the initial plan, it is to be implemented this year, but looking at neighbouring countries that have started implementing 5G earlier, we implemented it earlier, starting in Putrajaya, Cyberjaya and the Klang Valley, and from there, we have developed 500 locations through a special purpose vehicle appointed by the government, which is the Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB). Looking at it, it is one the fastest growing 5G networks, not in the region only, but the world.
Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission Chief Executive Officer Datuk Mohd Ali Hanifiah Mohd Yunus
