By Jacob Achoi
KUCHING, April 24: Fifty-five telecommunication towers under the Sarawak Multimedia Authority Rural Telecommunication (SMART) initiative will be in operation by this Gawai Dayak, said Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Julaihi Narawi.
Using the Multi-Operator Core Networks (MOCN) technology, he said this was in addition to the 70 towers that have been operating starting this Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
“In total, 600 such towers will be erected across the region, and the remaining will be operational by next year,” Julaihi told a press conference during his Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house today.
According to him, Sarawak Digital Economic Corporation (SDEC) has been entrusted to build such towers, including providing facilities, taking over from Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA).
Julaihi added that it would take about 18 months for such towers to be fully operational.
He pointed out that the Sarawak government has allocated RM1.89 billion to add to the RM4 billion from the federal government under Budget 2023 to fast-track telecommunication services in the region, particularly in rural areas.
Adding that Sarawak needs at least 7,000 telecommunication towers to achieve full internet coverage, he said the target had reached more than 50 per cent.
“Providing internet access is among the enablers to assist the six sectors in achieving the aspiration of Sarawak becoming a developed region by 2030,” he stressed. — DayakDaily
