Telok Melano now connected to the world, thanks to Sacofa
SEMATAN: Sacofa Sdn Bhd, an information and communication technology ( ICT) infrastructure company tasked with developing the state’s ambitious telecommunications and broadband coverage, yesterday took another step closer to seeing a connected Sarawak with the completion of a tower serving Kampung Telok Melano area.
It was launched by Minister of Public Utilities Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi at Sematan Palm Beach Resort.
With the availability of the 45m-tower and connected by fibre optics to the existing one at Kpg Serabang, Kpg Telok Melano is ready to roll out services such as 4G/ LTE mobile network and ultra- speed broadband internet for service providers to capitalise on and roll out their respective services.
According to a statement made available to the media, the project was undertaken to improve connectivity in the area, which is in line with the state government’s aspiration to bridge the digital divide.
“The completion of the tower, which is connected to the network via high speed fibre- optic cable, means that the service providers can now come in and run their 4G/LTE services.
“This opens the doors to a huge array of potential opportunities for people in the area,” said Sacofa managing director Mohamed Zaid Zaini.
He added that schools in the area could now have access to open source learning opportunities and materials, allowing students to thrive, flourish and learn, thus setting them up with the skills for a better life.
Zaid also said the facility would greatly benefit the homestay operators in the area to tap into the world of potential visitors, thus increasing tourism revenue to the people.
“The economic and societal benefits that such connectivity brings is limitless. It is imperative that while the urban areas are being brought up and developed, we do not forget to also empower the rural areas,” he said.
The tower is three-legged, specifically chosen due to its extremely high safety standards rating and because it can boost the size of the area that can be reached.
The tower is only accessible by water, which is indicative of Sacofa’s commitment to expand connectivity to all communities in the state, whatever the challenges and logistical constraints.