Telecommunication projects in Sarawak to be intensified in 2021 – SMA
KUCHING: Telecommunication projects in Sarawak would be intensified this year, said Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA).
It said the Sarawak Telecommunications Secretariat, co-chaired by itself and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) Sarawak office, had presented a comprehensive briefing on the progress of the respective connectivity infrastructure projects, to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here yesterday.
The briefing also covered Sarawak Multimedia Authority Rural Telecommunication (Smart) and MCMCs National Digital Network (Jendela) plans, among other topics of discussion.
"These (Smart and Jendela plans) cover mobile broadband, satellite broadband, high-speed broadband and fixed wireless access (FWA),¨ said SMA in a statement.
It said with a strong emphasis on the rural areas, the Sarawak section of the Jendela initiative would involve 636 new sites, making up 38.3 per cent of the total 1,661 sites allocated nationally.
The request for the proposal would close this March 31.
The Smart plan, on the other hand, would contribute another 600 towers to Jendela in the form of the First300 and Next300 projects, said SMA.
It pointed out that to date, 242 towers had been completed for First300, whilst desktop planning had been completed for Next300 the remaining First300 towers were still under various stages of completion.
"The commissioning of works in mobile broadband service for the completed First 300 towers will begin in the second quarter of 2021 and concurrently, will see the start of Next300 project.
"This, notwithstanding the thrust of the state¡'s overall connectivity plan, seeks to cover 100 per cent of populated areas in Sarawak," it said.
SMA said to address the critical need for remote rural connectivity, the Saluran200 Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) satellite broadband initiative a part of Smart plan should commence by early next month, following a successful tender process.
It said 200 VSATs would be deployed as interim measures to address immediately the digital gap in a dynamic fashion; the VSATs would be re-positioned for subsequent service need once the gap had been plugged.
SMA said at the same time, residents at 60 sites along Jalan Sebauh in Bintulu would enjoy fixed high-speed broadband service, following the laying of the 130km fibre optic cable infrastructure.
The roll-out of this service had been scheduled for the second quarter of this year, said the authority.
"Similarly, by tapping into the state's existing fibre optic backbone, 150 new and existing towers in the suburban and rural areas of Sarawak will beam broadband signals to enable residents connect with the Internet.
"This fixed wireless access (FWA) concept to enhance connectivity is expected to be fully deployed by end of February 2021."
Meanwhile SMA general manager Dr Zaidi Razak, in a statement, said despite the disruptive nature of the Covid19 pandemic, Sarawak via SMA would be aggressive in keeping to the timeline of the various projects.