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Borneo Post
10-07-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
MCMC, SDEC ink deal to expand S'wak's rural connectivity under SMART600 Project
Sudarnoto (left) and Mohamad Salim show the signed agreement, as others look on. KUCHING (July 11): The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) have reaffirmed their commitment to accelerating inclusive digital connectivity in rural Sarawak through the SMART600 Project, a high-impact initiative aimed at transforming the state's rural digital landscape. This collaboration was formalised during a signing ceremony held at MCMC headquarters in Cyberjaya on Wednesday. Signing on behalf of MCMC was its chairman Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din, while SDEC was represented by its chief executive officer Dato Sudarnoto Osman. Also present to witness the signing were SDEC chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Morshidi Abdul Ghani, along with MCMC and SDEC officials. The SMART600 Project is part of the government's broader efforts to strengthen rural access, and is expected to benefit rural communities in Sarawak by supporting their daily needs such as education, telehealth, digital economy activities, and communication. Under this initiative, a total of 600 new telecommunications towers will be built in two phases, with 300 towers per phase. These towers will provide high-quality 4G mobile services to over 1,000 remote locations, benefitting around 180,000 residents in areas such as Belaga, Marudi, Sungai Belawai, Kapit, and Sungai Encheremin, thereby bridging the digital divide between urban and rural areas. To date, 587 towers have been completed, of which 431 have been activated or are 'on-air' using the advanced Multi-Operator Core Network (MOCN) technology. The remaining towers will be activated in stages. The project will also enhance access to high-speed Internet to support data-intensive applications, including artificial intelligence tools, video streaming, public services, and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions. Users will have more choices with up to five Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) under the management of MCMC, and the Sarawak Rural Broadband Network (MySRBN) services operated by the Sarawak government, where all these services share infrastructure and spectrum through the MOCN arrangement. By strengthening rural connectivity, the SMART600 Project also realises the aspirations of the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030 to promote digital economic activities, uplift the socio-economic status of the people, and ensure that no one is left behind. The Sarawak government, through SDEC as the implementing agency, will fund the capital expenditure (CAPEX) for the tower construction. MCMC, representing the federal government, together with mobile network operators, namely CelcomDigi, Maxis, U Mobile, and YTL Communications, will jointly cover the operational expenditure (OPEX). This joint financing model ensures the long-term sustainability of the towers in rural Sarawak, despite facing geographical and economic challenges. Internet MCMC rural connectivity sdec SMART600 Project
The Sun
09-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
MCMC and SDEC boost Sarawak digital connectivity with SMART600 project
PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) have formalised a partnership to accelerate digital connectivity in Sarawak through the SMART600 Project. The agreement, signed today, focuses on expanding 4G coverage in remote areas using the Multi-Operator Core Network (MOCN) Radio Access Network (RAN) Sharing model. Under the agreement, the Sarawak government, via SDEC, will fund the construction of new telecommunications towers, while MCMC and participating telcos—CelcomDigi, Maxis, U Mobile, and YTL Communications—will cover operational costs. 'This joint financing model ensures that towers in Sarawak's remote areas can continue to operate despite geographical and economic challenges,' stated MCMC and SDEC in a joint release. The signing ceremony was witnessed by MCMC chairman Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din and SDEC CEO Datuk Sudarnoto Osman at MCMC's headquarters. To date, 587 4G towers have been completed, with 431 already activated using MOCN technology. The remaining towers will be progressively brought online. The SMART600 project aims to construct 600 towers in two phases, delivering high-quality 4G services to over 1,000 rural locations. This initiative is expected to benefit around 180,000 residents in underserved communities. The project will enhance internet access for data-heavy applications such as AI, video streaming, and IoT, bridging the digital gap between urban and rural Sarawak. Key areas covered include Belaga, Marudi, Sungai Belawai, Kapit, and Sungai Encheremin. Telcos will share infrastructure and spectrum under MCMC and MySRBN supervision, ensuring efficient service delivery under the SMART600 initiative.
Borneo Post
09-07-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Julaihi: 603 SMART towers completed in Sarawak, 502 now 'on-air'
Julaihi (seated centre) flanked by Ugak (right) and Wan Murdani in a group photo with participants during the launch of the MD Business Digitalisation Initiative (BDI) @ Sarawak today. – Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad KUCHING (July 9): A total of 603 out of 618 Sarawak Multimedia Authority Rural Telecommunication (SMART) telecommunication towers have been completed across Sarawak, with 502 of them already activated or 'on-air', and 405 progressively equipped with advanced Multi-Operator Core Network (MOCN) technology. In disclosing this, Utility and Telecommunication Minister Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi said digital transformation requires a strong infrastructure foundation. 'Therefore, the Sarawak Government launched the Sarawak Linking Urban, Rural and Nation (Saluran) programme, which targets the construction of 600 4G telecommunication towers in rural and remote areas of Sarawak under the SMART project, managed by Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC). 'As of today, 603 out of 618 SMART towers have been completed, with 502 already activated or 'on-air', and 405 progressively equipped with advanced Multi-Operator Core Network (MOCN) technology. 'This MOCN technology allows major telecommunications companies such as CelcomDigi, Maxis, U Mobile, YTL, and TM to provide their network services, enabling rural and remote communities to enjoy comprehensive coverage regardless of their chosen provider,' Julaihi said in his opening remarks at the MD Business Digitalisation Initiative (BDI) @ Sarawak held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) today. He added that the introduction of the SMART towers was further strengthened by the rollout of the Sarawak Rural Broadband Network (MySRBN), launched in March 2021. 'MySRBN leverages Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) technology to deliver high-speed internet to rural communities that previously had no connectivity. 'To date, around 32,000 homes across Sarawak have been connected to MySRBN, and this number is expected to continue rising;' he said. Julaihi emphasised that MySRBN has stimulated economic growth by opening up new opportunities for rural entrepreneurs to engage in online business. He also stressed that successful digitalisation efforts must go beyond infrastructure and funding. 'Real digitalisation happens when communities possess strong digital literacy and the confidence to use technology in their daily lives,' he said. The BDI @ Sarawak event, jointly organised by Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment Sarawak (MINTRED), and SDEC, serves as a strategic platform to promote digitalisation, especially among micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Julaihi commended MDEC, MINTRED, SDEC, and all partners involved in the initiative, expressing hope that the programme would serve as a catalyst for further digital transformation across Sarawak. He underscored the importance of grassroots-level engagement and capacity building, pointing to training programmes conducted by SDEC based on community needs. 'Today's initiative is the beginning of a larger movement — one to ensure that every MSME in Sarawak is given equal opportunity to thrive in a fast-paced digital economy. 'Our goal is to create an inclusive, sustainable and competitive digital landscape — not just for today, but for future generations,' he added. Also present were Deputy Digital Minister Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong and Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) head of digital adoption Wan Murdani Wan Mohamad.
Borneo Post
01-07-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
SMART project sees 582 telecommunications towers in Sarawak completed, 90.2 pct coverage reached
Julaihi said of the 582 completed towers, 481 are already operational. — Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (July 1): A total of 582 out of 618 telecommunications towers planned under the Sarawak Multimedia Authority Rural Transformation (SMART) project have been completed, with the remaining 36 still under construction as of May 31. Utility and Telecommunication Minister Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi said of the 582 completed towers, 481 are already operational. These include 420 towers offering both Sarawak Rural Broadband Network (MySRBN) broadband services and 4G mobile connectivity via Multi-Operator Core Network (MOCN) technology, 55 providing MySRBN-only access, and six serving as repeater sites. 'This marks a major milestone in our mission to enhance digital connectivity and bridge the digital divide across Sarawak. 'The current internet coverage by settlement stands at 90.2 per cent and is expected to reach 93.6 per cent by the end of 2025,' he said in a speech delivered by ministry deputy permanent secretary Syed Mohamad Fauzi Shahab for Digital Technology Nexus 2025 (DigitalNEXUS) organised by Universiti Sarawak Malaysia (Unimas) here today. Julaihi pointed out that Sarawak is among the earliest states to adopt 5G technology, with current Coverage of Populated Areas (Copa) reaching 63.8 per cent. 'The enhanced capabilities of 5G, such as higher speeds, lower latency, and increased capacity, are poised to revolutionise sectors including remote healthcare, industrial automation, transportation, smart cities, and entertainment,' he said. He added that the SMART initiative, one of the state's largest infrastructure projects, involves the rollout of 600 telecommunication towers and 18 repeater towers. Equipped with the MOCN system, it enables multiple telecommunications companies to share infrastructure, reducing costs and accelerating coverage expansion. To further enhance access, Julaihi said initiatives such as WiFi Saluran and Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) have been introduced to provide wireless internet to rural and suburban households. 'Complementing these efforts, the state's homegrown MySRBN initiative plays a vital role in delivering fixed wireless broadband to households, schools, and clinics in underserved areas, supporting e-learning, small businesses, telemedicine, and digital public services,' he added. The SMART initiative and expanding 5G coverage are part of Sarawak's broader digital transformation efforts aligned with the state's Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030. julaihi narawi lead Sarawak Multimedia Authority Rural Transformation
The Sun
01-07-2025
- The Sun
MCMC and Penang govt push Nexus app for better Internet access
GEORGE TOWN: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is partnering with the Penang government to encourage wider public use of the MCMC Nexus application. The initiative aims to enhance internet accessibility by leveraging real-time data from users. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil explained that the app enables MCMC to take proactive steps in addressing connectivity issues without waiting for user complaints. 'This allows us to instruct telcos more efficiently to resolve problems,' he said during a visit to the Multi-Operator Core Network (MOCN) 4G tower in Tanjung Asam, Bayan Lepas. The event was part of the 'Where There Are Roads, There Is Internet' programme. Also present were Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, Penang Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari, and Bayan Lepas assemblyman Datuk Azrul Mahathir Aziz. The MCMC Nexus app features real-time internet quality monitoring and speed tests. Data collected is shared directly with MCMC and service providers for immediate network upgrades. Fahmi, on a two-day working visit to Penang, noted that the Tanjung Asam tower is one of five six-directional 4G MOCN towers built to improve connectivity in underserved areas. Other locations include Ikon Tengkolok and Bukit Putus Scout Camp in Negeri Sembilan, Prima Gambang in Pahang, and Kota Seri Langat Toll Plaza in Selangor. 'This collaboration between MCMC and telcos uses a network-sharing framework, allowing multiple providers to operate from a single tower,' he said. 'These towers support up to six telcos, making them ideal for remote routes with low population density.' The project received support from state governments and local authorities in securing permits and overcoming engineering challenges due to difficult terrain
