CM: Sarawak rural broadband network installed in 150 areas in Sarawak so far

Abang Johari (right) addressing a press conference after the Sarawak Budget 2022 special meeting at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK). Photo credit: Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas)

By Nur Ashikin Louis

KUCHING, Oct 12: Broadband coverage under the Sarawak Rural Broadband Network (MySRBN) has been successfully extended to 150 suburban and rural areas in Sarawak within six months under Phase 1 and an additional 44 sites to be connected under Phase 2, says Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.

The MySRBN is a digital transformation initiative driven by Sarawak Digital Economic Corporation (SDEC) to digitalise the State’s economy and to connect rural communities with the world by providing high-speed broadband services via fixed wireless broadband.

“MySRBN will enable up to 45,000 public spaces and home connections to have unlimited access of up to 30Mbps Internet speed with an affordable broadband package.

“The deployment of fixed wireless broadband opens a world of opportunities for people living in suburban and rural areas,” he said in his Sarawak Budget 2022 statement today.

Abang Johari also stated that MySRBN will be benefit the people of Sarawak by closing the digital divide in terms of disparities in information and communication access.

“In Sarawak, there is a clear divide between rural and urban areas. It is either a lack of or limited access to the Internet.

“Given that such constraints can hinder the realisation of the digital economy, fixed wireless boadband is one of the measures to bridge the Internet access gap due to its fast deployment in resolving connectivity issues in a short time by capitalising on existing infrastructure,” he added.

He also disclosed that the Sarawak government is committed to building Sarawak Multimedia Authority Rural Telecommunication (Smart) towers apart from the existing 3,100 towers and structures across the State.

This, he emphasised, will enable telecommunication companies to provide mobile broadband services through Smart and MySRBN initiatives. – DayakDaily