Kuala lumpur: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is drawing up additional solutions under Phase 2 of the National Digital Network Plan (JENDELA) to further expand high-speed internet access in rural areas nationwide. Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching highlighted that JENDELA has achieved significant progress, with 9.48 million premises now having fibre optic access and internet coverage in populated areas reaching 98.82 percent as of July 31.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the median mobile broadband download speed recorded was 150.10 Mbps, as Teo mentioned in response to Senator Datuk Rosni Sohar's inquiry regarding Malaysia Digital initiatives across the country, including rural and remote areas, during question time at the Dewan Negara. She also noted that for 5G coverage, Digital Nasional Berhad has completed 7,489 transmitter sites, providing 82.4 percent of populated areas with 5G access.
The second 5G network by U Mobile Sdn Bhd, which began operations on July 14, has completed 1,232 sites with more than 28 million subscriptions, bringing the 5G penetration rate to 82.7 percent for every 100 inhabitants. In line with efforts to strengthen communications infrastructure, the government under the 13th Malaysia Plan has set a target of achieving 98 percent 5G coverage in populated and industrial areas, including rural regions, by 2030, Teo stated.
She also mentioned that the government is deploying broadband infrastructure using the Point of Presence (PoP) fibre optic hub method, where as of August 12, 677 PoPs under Phase 1 have been fully completed. Meanwhile, 1,468 PoPs out of 3,693 under Phase 2 have been completed nationwide, providing 163,906 fibre optic ports with speeds of up to one gigabit per second (1Gbps).
Teo further explained that to ensure affordable internet access, the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development under the United Nations has set that the cost of basic broadband in low- and middle-income countries should not exceed two percent of monthly Gross National Income (GNI) per capita. Malaysia recorded 0.7 percent for mobile broadband, which is significantly below that target. For fixed broadband, the latest rate is 2.2 percent, slightly above the global benchmark, but is expected to be reduced through various initiatives and more competitive pricing strategies.
In response to Rosni's supplementary question on increasing facilities under Community Internet Centres, rebranded as National Information Dissemination Centres (NADI), in urban poor areas, Teo said that 1,098 out of the 1,099 NADIs planned under the '1 Constituency 1 NADI' initiative were fully operational as of July 31. The remaining new NADI is currently being implemented in Kampung Gelam, Sabah, due to a change in location, but is expected to be operational soon.
Teo added that the ministry is also conducting safe internet campaigns and cybersecurity awareness courses, while collaborating with platforms like Shopee and Lazada to help rural residents become e-entrepreneurs. In reply to Senator Datuk Salehuddin Saidin's question on incentives for telcos to provide broadband in remote or less commercial areas, Teo explained that the government provides funding through PoP and JENDELA to ensure these areas have internet access.
She emphasized that incentives are still provided to service providers to expand coverage to remote locations. Schools are used as the centre point, and surrounding areas within a 2.5 to 3-kilometre radius are equipped with fibre to ensure coverage even in commercially unviable locations. Through JENDELA, service providers will be appointed to build communication towers or adopt suitable solutions to expand internet coverage to remote areas, even those with a small population.