Fed Up By Poor Coverage, Sarawak Wants To Set Up Its Own Telco To Fix This Once & For All

One reason why telcos are reluctant to venture deep into Sarawak is because they think it’s not profitable enough

Credit: Freepik/Malay Mail

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Fed up with telecommunications companies not willing to expand their networks in the rural parts of Sarawak, the state is taking matters into its own hands and create its own telco.

Based on reports by The Edge which cited a Sarawak TV interview, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said that the state aims to achieve that within the next two years.

He said one of the reasons why telcos are reluctant to venture deep into Sarawak was because they think it’s not profitable enough.

So the way out for the [state] government is to have its own telco and we will subsidise our telco so that the tariff for its services is low.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg via The Edge

Meanwhile, The Star reported that the major players such as Celcom Axiata, Maxis and Digi are present in Sarawak’s major towns but the coverage is not extended into the rural areas of the state.

The report also states that Sarawak has a population of 2.62 million people and around 46% of them live in rural areas.

According to The Borneo Post, the state has already set aside RM795 million with plans to have 300 telecommunications towers – mostly in rural areas – under the Sarawak Digital Economy Strategy 2018-2022.

It’s also reported that these telecommunication towers would be 3G and 4G capable.

The Federal government is trying to do something about it as well

Aware of Sarawak’s internet woes, the Federal government has already put in place initiatives like JENDELA which aims to give coverage to the whole country, including rural areas.

According to Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), one of the goals is to provide nationwide 4G coverage in populated areas.