The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), the country’s main regulatory body for telecommunications, has invited companies to take part in a satellite broadband scheme that aims to serve a number of hard-to-reach areas of the country.
MCMC has issued an invitation for the installation and provisioning of broadband access services via satellite at 839 locations nationwide – in Johor, Kelantan, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Selangor, Sabah and Sarawak.
According to the MCMC press announcement these locations comprise Orang Asli settlements in Peninsular Malaysia, and remote areas in Sabah and Sarawak.
Given the population density and geographical terrain in these areas, the provisioning of public cellular services and mobile broadband would take a considerable time. Thus the proposed service is described as ‘an expedient solution for connectivity while waiting for the completion of permanent solutions’.
The new service is expected to be deployed by October 2021 this year. The population at each location will get to enjoy free Wi-Fi at an average speed of 35Mbps.
This is another initiative under JENDELA – the Jalinan Digital Negara Plan to expand coverage nationwide. JENDELA was formulated to provide wider coverage and better quality of broadband experience for ordinary people, while preparing the country for 5G technology.
MCMC says that all eligible and interested licensees can register their interest and submit draft universal service plans under Regulation 5 of the Communications and Multimedia (Universal Service Provision) Regulations 2002.
