Limbang expected to get full internet coverage by end 2022

KUCHING: Limbang is expected to achieve almost 100 per cent internet coverage by the end of 2022, said Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) general manager Dr Zaidi Razak.

He explained that the construction of nine telecommunication towers in the division under the Sarawak Linking Urban, Rural and Nation (Saluran) initiative will see Limbang increase its current coverage of 48.5 per cent to 98.3 per cent of inhabited areas by the end of next year.

Six locations in Limbang namely Kampung Ipai, Kampung Maruyu, Kampung Merajang, Long Rayeh, Rumah Rumpang and Krangan Ma have been assigned with Saluran wi-fi, which uses the Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) technology, he said in a statement issued by SMA.

“This is part of an effort to provide free internet access to members of the public who have no network coverage.

“For Sarawak, the setting up of 300 telco towers will be completed by the first quarter of 2022 while another 300 towers are expected to be constructed by the end of 2022,” he added.

Saluran is an initiative by the Sarawak government to provide connectivity to all Sarawakians.

Its ultimate objective is to extend the reach of the 4G network through the upgrading of existing infrastructure and expand the telecommunications coverage to all areas of Sarawak, including the less viable areas.

In the statement, SMA quoted Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) Sarawak director Adiman Ajem as saying that the commission has embarked on a satellite broadband access project in October this year under the National Digital Connectivity Plan (Jendela) to provide internet access via satellite technology to the underserved community in rural areas.

Adiman said a total of 523 locations have been identified throughout Sarawak where 34 locations in Limbang will be provided with satellite broadband service (22 in Limbang district and 12 in Lawas district). The project is currently at the technical survey stage for these areas and is expected to be completed by January next year.

“The interim solution will operate for two years,” he revealed and added that MCMC will build 636 new 4G towers under Jendela Phase 1 in Sarawak.

“For Limbang division, 48 new 4G towers will be built with 33 towers identified for the district while another 15 towers will be in Lawas district. The construction work on these new towers will begin in December and is expected to be completed by the end of 2022,” he said.