BAU, Sarawak (Sept 16): Sarawak has received the highest allocation of RM4.46 billion under the National Digital Network (Jendela) project to boost its connectivity and internet services, said Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

He said the project was implemented by the federal government through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

"Of the total, RM2.93 billion involves allocations from the government, while the remaining amount of RM1.53 billion is commercially provided by service providers," he said in his speech at the Digital Economy Centre (PEDi) in Krokong here on Saturday.

He said the Jendela project had two phases, aiming at enhancing connectivity coverage and the quality of internet services for the benefit of the people, the business sector and stakeholders.

“A total of 864 4G telecommunications towers are planned for Sarawak through Phase 1 of Jendela. As of the second quarter of 2023, a total of 213 towers were operational, while the remaining 651 towers are scheduled to operate in stages by the third quarter of 2024," he said.

Fahmi said the Sarawak government had facilitated the construction and upgrading of the Jendela towers to enable 3,689 of the 3,735 existing transmitter stations to be upgraded, with the remainder to be upgraded by the fourth quarter of 2023.

Regarding the MCMC's target to expand high-speed broadband services using fibre optic to 207,135 residential and business premises, he said 106,331 premises had been provided with optical fibre, while the remaining 100,804 premises by the fourth quarter of 2024.

“The positive impact of the Jendela plan in Sarawak has already been felt. As of the second quarter of 2023, 4G coverage had reached 87.52% of populated areas," he said, adding that a total of 322 of the planned 587 5G sites had been successfully completed in the state.

As of Aug 31, he said the 5G network coverage in populated areas in Malaysia had reached 68.8%.

“The ministry through Digital Nasional Bhd is committed to realising the government's aspiration to achieve 80% 5G coverage in populated areas by the end of 2023 before the country switches to a 5G dual network model as early as January 2024," he added.