By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, July 9: The Sarawak government is planning to collaborate with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to widen the reach of the Sarawak Rural Broadband Network (MySRBN) by leveraging Jalinan Digital Negara (JENDELA) towers in rural areas.
State Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi revealed that discussions are ongoing with MCMC to allow MySRBN systems to be installed on JENDELA towers, on top of the existing use of Smart Multimedia Authority Rural Telecommunication (SMART) towers developed by Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC).
“This is part of efforts to promote and run large-scale campaigns to extend MySRBN to all villages and longhouses in rural areas.
“So far, we have been using SMART towers, and we are now engaging with MCMC to explore using JENDELA infrastructure to broaden MySRBN coverage,” he said during the launch of the Integrated Business Digitalisation Initiative @ Sarawak (BDI@SARAWAK) at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.
Julaihi noted that the government recently conducted a MySRBN campaign in Pulau Bruit, which received encouraging response from rural communities.
He stressed the importance of expanding internet access, particularly to rural populations, to enable them to participate in digital economic activities.
“Rural residents, especially those involved in micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), will be able to play a more active role in the future if such connectivity infrastructure is implemented more comprehensively,” he said.
Julaihi also shared that 603 out of 618 planned telecommunications towers across Sarawak have already been completed, with 502 activated.
Of these, 402 are SMART towers which have been activated in stages using Multi Operator Core Network (MOCN) technology, allowing rural communities to enjoy seamless connectivity regardless of their chosen telecommunications provider.
“Through these SMART towers, the Sarawak government also introduced the Sarawak Rural Broadband Network, or MySRBN, in March 2021.
“MySRBN, which uses Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) technology, delivers high-speed internet to rural communities that previously had no internet access.
“To date, 32,000 homes across Sarawak are connected via MySRBN, and the number continues to grow,” said the minister, adding that the initiative has spurred economic growth by opening up new opportunities for local entrepreneurs to venture into online business.
When met by reporters later, Julaihi explained that the proposed use of both SMART and JENDELA towers is feasible due to their distinct locations, which opens up opportunities to provide more comprehensive network coverage.
“In terms of siting, the locations of SMART and JENDELA towers do not overlap. Where there is a SMART tower, there won’t be a JENDELA tower, and vice versa. So we have different sites, and this allows us to broaden coverage more effectively.
“That is why we are proposing that MySRBN should not only utilise SMART towers but also tap into the JENDELA towers provided by MCMC. In fact, discussions with them are already underway,” he added.
Also present was Deputy Minister of Digital Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong. — DayakDaily
