By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, May 23: Song District’s 4G coverage for populated areas increased to 32.04 per cent in the first quarter of 2022, up from 26.02 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Deputy Minister for Utility and Telecommunication (Telecommunication) Datuk Liwan Lagang (GPS-PRS) revealed this today when responding to Katibas assemblyman Lidam Assan (GPS-PBB) in a question-and-answer (Q&A) session at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here.
Lidam has asked about the overall implementation status of various types of SALURAN connectivity under Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) connectivity in Song District.
“Further improvement is expected after the completion of the various coverage expansion programs under the SMART and Jendela (Pelan Jalinan Digital Negara) initiatives next year by Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA), Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC),” Liwan said.
He went on to say that there are various projects implemented under SALURAN which consist of both interim and permanent solutions for Internet connectivity.
“For an interim solution, there are four longhouses, namely Rh Guntor Takan, Song, Rh Sidi (Ng Nayai, Ulu Katibas), Rh Lucy (Ng Lanang, Tekalit), and Rh Api (Ng Terusa, Ulu Katibas) connected through Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) technology under the SALURAN Wifi initiative.
“For permanent solution, three towers have been constructed under SMART Phase 1, namely Ng Lanang and Ng Barok in Tekalit, Song and Ng Banjor, Song,” Liwan explained.
He added that there are 49 locations in Katibas that are receiving interim Internet service through the Broadband Wireless Access (satellite broadband) initiative under Jendela, whereas for the 4G coverage expansion programme, 19 locations have been identified in Katibas and are currently in various stages of implementation.
Additionally, the Katibas assemblyman also inquired about the Broadband Wireless Access and Sarawak Rural Broadband Network (MySRBN) project’s coverage distance and the number of MySRBN subscribers in Katibas.
“The ideal coverage distance for the Wifi service from the Access Point (AP) of the Broadband Wireless Access is up to 100 metres, whereas the ideal coverage distance of the Wifi service from the MySRBN transmitter site is up to 2.5 kilometres depending on geographical characteristics of the area.
“The number of MySRBN subscribers in Katibas is 89 households as of April 2022,” Liwan responded.
Liwan, who is the Belaga assemblyman, also revealed that under Jendela Phase 1, several initiatives to improve the quality and coverage of telecommunications have been implemented in Katibas, such as upgrading 14 transmitting stations from 3G to 4G, of which nine have been completed, and five more are in the process of implementation and are expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2022.
He also stated that the fibre optics network coverage is being expanded to cover 110 properties.
“There are 15 telecommunication towers under Smart, with two completed and 13 in various stages of implementation,” he noted. — DayakDaily
