TNB initiates National Connectivity Plan pilot project in Melaka
KUALA LUMPUR: Tenaga Nasional Bhd ( TNB) will start a pilot project in Jasin, Melaka this month to assess the technical, safety and commercial viability of using its electrical infrastructure for the government’s National Connectivity Plan (NCP) that will allow faster, cheaper and wider Internet accessibility.
“The pilot project, to be completed by the end of 2018, will cover 1,100 out of 4,300 houses in three areas, namely Taman Merbau, Taman Maju and Felda Kemendor, in Jasin,” TNB chairman Tan Sri Leo Moggie said in a statement yesterday.
He disclosed that the households will gain access to a high-speed broadband ( HSBB) network that will be made available through TNB’s own fibre optic communication system which forms part of the company’s existing telecommunication network.
“Telecommunications system has always been an integral part of the utility industry. For TNB, we have been developing eve lo ping our telecom munic at ionn network all these years,” said Moggie.
He explained that the national electricity corporation ’s telecom munic at ionn network now uses fibre optics technology as partart of the electricity grid operation’s design and requirements quire men ts to ensure high reliability of electricity supply nationwide.
“Through this pilot project, TNB is exploring the potential of utili singing the available capacity of TNB’s telecommunication ion assets for the National Connectivity Plan – identified as an important catalyst towards the digital al economy without compromising the safety, security and reliability of the electricity supply network,” he added.
TNB, with full support from the Ministry of Communication & Multimedia Malaysia (MCMM) and the Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change (MESTECC), had been invited earlier to participate in the NCP to help expedite its delivery.
“This pilot project will be the platform to test the concept of Open Access. The platform is expected to stimulate active participation from new and existing providers in backhaul and retail broadband that will create competition that should push broadband prices down for the benefit of Malaysians.
“We are thankful to the Melaka state government for its strong support and cooperation which will ensure a smooth implementation of this NCP pilot project,” he added.
TNB will leverage on the outcome of the pilot project for a decision on the commercial viability for TNB to embark on a possible larger-scale NCP participation nationwide. — Bernama