Latest news with #NISF
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Boosting maritime connectivity with satellites
Fast track: Fahmi (centre) checking the Internet speed on his mobile phone alongside Mohamad Fauzi (second from left) and Zairil (second from right) in front of the six-way 4G multi-operator core network in Tanjung Asam, Bayan Lepas. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star GEORGE TOWN: Malaysia is planning to use Low Earth Orbit (LOE) satellites to enhance connectivity in an effort to drive the nation's progress, says Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. The Communications Minister said the initiative, which could potentially start in the third or fourth quarter of this year, was especially vital to boosting connectivity in the maritime and difficult terrain areas. 'This solution is relevant because constructing a 60m tower isn't always feasible, for instance, on remote islands where the terrain and logistics aren't suitable. 'Therefore, we believe the Direct-to-Cell technology could be a viable alternative, and it is part of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission's (MCMC) future plans to help address connectivity challenges,' he said during a press conference after 'Di Mana Ada Jalan, Di Situ Ada Internet' programme at Tanjung Asam here yesterday. Fahmi said the technology would leverage satellites into functioning like transmission towers from space. However, he said the initiative would have to wait for system readiness. Earlier, Fahmi launched the YTL Communications' Tanjung Asam six-way multi-operator core network (MOCN) base station here. The MOCN in Tanjung Asam, which is the fifth in the country, is a milestone project that supports the ministry's vision in building a network infrastructure sharing framework (NISF). Other MOCN facilities in the country are Ikon Tengkolok in Bukit Putus and Kem Pengakap Bukit Putus in Negri Sembilan; Prima Gambang in Pahang; and the West Coast Expressway at Kota Seri Langat Toll Plaza in Banting, Selangor. The NISF effort enables all network operators to improve mobile Internet coverage for the people. The MOCN in Tanjung Asam can provide services to more than 500 residents and 350 daily commuters, including nearby fishing villages and underserved communities, with seamless connectivity to boost the local economic development. Also present during the launch were Penang infrastructure committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari and Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa. Zairil said the state government expressed its gratitude to Putrajaya for the 'Di Mana Ada Jalan, Di Situ Ada Internet' initiative which has brought significant benefits to the local community. 'We still recall the tragic incident that occurred a few years ago at Tanjung Asam beach, where a drowning victim could not be reached in time due to poor network coverage. 'With the development of telecommunications infrastructure and installation of towers, such issues can now be addressed,' said Zairil. He said the initiative would also resolve connectivity 'black spots' along Penang's main trunk roads. The state government, he added, is especially hopeful that similar problematic areas both on the island and the mainland could be tackled through the efforts of the MCMC and the cooperation of all six major telco providers. Meanwhile, Fahmi said the MCMC was also working closely with the Malaysian Highway Authority to have telecommunication coverage on its highways. 'Discussions are ongoing to include some key locations in phase two of the coverage plan. 'Many of these sites will likely require new towers, and we will support such efforts,' he said. He added that the MCMC had also identified about 50km of roads that did not have coverage.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
YTL Communications supports government's nationwide connectivity mission
KUALA LUMPUR: YTL Communications Sdn Bhd, Malaysia's first mobile operator to launch 5G commercially, remains steadfast in supporting the government's and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission's (MCMC) mission to deliver high-quality, reliable internet access to all Malaysians, whether urban or rural. The company recently hosted Minister of Communications Datuk Fahmi Fadzil for an official visit to its fully operational six-way multi-operator core network (MOCN) 4G radio tower in Tanjung Asam, Penang. This project, delivered under the government's "Where There's a Road, There's Internet" initiative, aligns with the minister's vision of active network sharing among mobile operators to make nationwide coverage expansion more cost-effective. The site showcases Malaysia's telco industry's technological progress through an advanced radio network architecture that allows one operator to deliver radio services and share spectrum for five major mobile network operators (Yes, CelcomDigi, Maxis, TM, U Mobile). The expanded coverage now serves the Tanjung Asam coastal corridor and nearby communities, benefiting over 500 residents and 350 daily commuters along the coastal road, including fishing villages and underserved areas. For this project, YTL Communications partnered with Konsortium Jaringan Selangor (KJS) as the infrastructure provider. The "Where There's a Road, There's Internet" initiative is supported by the Network Infrastructure Sharing Framework (NISF), which was launched by Datuk Fahmi on 27 January 2025 to unite Malaysia's mobile operators in improving national mobile internet coverage. YTL Communications said it fully supports the NISF and will continue to work closely with the Ministry, MCMC, and industry partners to expand quality mobile services for everyone. "Today's event is not just about a tower; it's about a whole-of-industry collaboration in delivering real, measurable impact to the Rakyat," said Wing K. Lee, chief executive officer of YTL Communications. "By using Yes network equipment and spectrum to host all of Malaysia's major mobile telcos, we have proven this advanced network infrastructure sharing approach can indeed be used nationwide to improve coverage for the benefit of the Rakyat." As the anchor operator for this deployment, Yes continues to lead efforts to close Malaysia's digital divide, having already completed 70% of MCMC's JENDELA Phase 2 rollout to date.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
MCMC, LLM collaborate to expand highway telecommunication coverage
GEORGE TOWN: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is working closely with the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) to improve telecommunication coverage on roads, particularly highways. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said they had identified about 50km of roads currently without coverage. He said they would leverage the "where there's a road, there's internet" policy championed by his ministry. "Our focus will be on highways. "Discussions are ongoing to include several key locations in Phase Two of the coverage plan. "Many of these sites will likely require new towers, and we will support such efforts," he told reporters after launching YTL Communications' Tanjung Asam six-way Multi-Operator Core Network (MOCN) base station today. The milestone project supports the ministry's vision for a Network Infrastructure Sharing Framework (NISF). The NISF brings together all network operators to improve mobile internet coverage for the public. The seamless coverage across the Tanjung Asam coastal corridor provided by this new site benefits more than 500 residents and 350 daily commuters, including nearby fishing villages and underserved communities, boosting local economic development. Fahmi, however, did not provide details about the 50km stretch of roads. Meanwhile, he also spoke on efforts to strengthen space-based connectivity through low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. He said the government hopes to proceed with the proof of concept by the third or fourth quarter of this year. "All this depends on the system's readiness," he said, when asked about frequent incidents of boats capsizing or drowning victims drifting as far as Indonesia. He said the coverage might not offer unlimited range but would be sufficient to ensure anyone along the coast could contact the authorities immediately. "Take, for example, a past drowning case in Tanjung Asam where no one on the beach could make a call. "Now, with the MOCN base station here, such situations will be a thing of the past," he said. As for maritime areas, Fahmi said another planned initiative called "direct-to-cell" was in the pipeline but had yet to be implemented due to technical requirements.
