KUCHING, May 4: A total of 636 telecommunication towers will be built in Sarawak under Phase 1 of the National Digital Interconnection Program (Jendela) between March 2022 to Sept 2023.
Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Teo Nie Ching disclosed this in a press statement following her working visit (May 2 to 4) to Sarawak with the aim of obtaining field input on several issues related to communications and digital in the region.
On May 3, accompanied by Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii, Teo paid a courtesy call on Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg as well as Utilities and Telecommunications Minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi.
She also visited the Data Center and Submarine Cable Landing Station of IRIX Sdn Bhd, where its CEO Dr Jonathan Hurndall Smith gave a briefing.
On the last day in Sarawak, Teo who is Kulai MP, visited Song and was briefed on the progress of Song District’s digital infrastructure by the Malaysian Multimedia Communications Commission (MCMC) at the Song District Office.
She then proceeded to the Point of Presence (PoP) project site of SK Cardinal Vaughan, Song which is a hub for the provision of fibre optic broadband infrastructure for the use of schools, industrial areas, government premises and nearby communities.
PoP Phase 1 in Sarawak has been fully completed with a total of 60 PoPs and is now moving to Phase 2, where it is expected that 681 PoPs will be fully completed by the end of 2025.
From there, Teo visited the Song Digital Economy Center (PEDi) before heading to Jendela’s Nanga Sarawak telecommunication tower site to witness the handover of management from Phase 1 by Valser Sdn Bhd to Maxis for Phase 2.
There are a total of 133 PEDi in Sarawak and 23 more will be developed this year which will surely provide wider internet coverage for young people and small entrepreneurs to grow the latter’s businesses.
Before returning to the Peninsula, Teo attended the Raya Gawai Program at RTM Sibu. — DayakDaily
