By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, Oct 25: The current telecommunications coverage in Sarawak stands at 63.5 per cent and is projected to increase to 93.87 per cent by the end of this year, said Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) chief executive officer Dato Dr Anderson Tiong Ing Heng.
Tiong mentioned that there are ongoing efforts to actively implement telecommunication infrastructure in order to provide connectivity to all Sarawakians.
“In alignment with the national vision, we’re actively working together with Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) to establish a 5G ecosystem in Sarawak. Malaysia has been making significant strides in implementing 5G broadband cellular technology, which is 100 times faster than 4G.
“The 5G network holds the potential to revolutionise daily life, from work to leisure and daily activities. With speeds of up to 10Gbps, it can greatly enhance business, manufacturing, logistics, smart agriculture, and more,” he said at the SMA Division Kuching Media Appreciation Night held last night (Oct 24) at a restaurant here.
He went on to say that implementing a high-speed 5G network necessitates a robust and closely spaced telecommunication infrastructure, which service providers are currently installing in residential areas in Sarawak’s cities.
“In contrast to previous technologies, 5G offers a minimal latency of just one millisecond, allowing for more efficient and precise remote device control.
“Furthermore, 5G can connect a million devices in a one-square-kilometre area, compared to LTE technology, which can only connect 1,000 devices in the same area. Most importantly, the 5G network is safe for public health, with no adverse effects.
“Concerns about radiation from these telecommunication structures have been taken into account, and health remains a priority in the construction of these facilities,” he added.
Tiong highlighted that based on extensive studies and measurements, electromagnetic field (EMF) emissions from radio communications infrastructure in public areas are very low and pose no health risks to the surrounding population.
“It is essential to rely on accurate data rather than unsubstantiated rumours from unverified sources,” he remarked. — DayakDaily
