Penang expected to initiate 5G connectivity by 2021

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Penang would be able to obtain 5th Generation (5G) connectivity in 2021, said State Housing, Local Government, Town and Rural Development Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo.

He said the information was given by the Minister of Communications and Multimedia Gobind Singh Deo after a courtesy visit in Kuala Lumpur two weeks ago.

“After a briefing by the minister, I was informed that Penang is already 100 per cent fiberised and ready for 5G connectivity, the only main issue being the connection to the residential premises. By October, there will be a trial run in Cyberjaya to roll out 5G connectivity and expect the coverage will reach Penang by 2021,” he told reporters here, yesterday.

At peak Internet speed, 5G connectivity is approximately 20 times faster than 4G.

Jagdeep said Penang has full 3G connectivity coverage, and 97.7 per cent of the state’s area are covered with 4G connectivity, making it the leading state for smart city initiatives.

Earlier, Jagdeep and Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow visited Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) control room which was recently upgraded by Intel Microelectronics (M) Sdn Bhd (Intel) with 77 Light-emitting diode (LED) street lights and sensors, 64 close-circuit television (CCTV) cameras with facial and license plate recognition, six units of Long-Range (LoRa) Gateways, 15 units of Environment Sensors and server for Amelia Platform software for Internet of Things (IoT) and CCTV Analytics.

The upgrade was a pilot project showcased for the Smart City of Penang (SCoPe), a collaborative initiative by the state government, MPSP and Intel to create an ecosystem using technological platform to better manage and control information, CCTV and IoT device without the presence of people on the ground.

The SCoPe project was in line with the smart city concept envisioned by the state government with Penang 2030: a family-focused, green and smart state to inspire the nation.

Chow said that the journey towards achieving Penang as a smart city has been challenging with certain factors such as infrastructure, financial and technological issues being some of the obstacles that were restricting the progress in turning Penang as a smart city.