KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has identified 50 sites throughout the state to instal the ConnectMeNow community-based satellite broadband service this year.
The high-speed prepaid service, which uses Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) technology, is under the state’s Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development plan and will ensure that even people in the rural areas have internet access.
Chief minister Hajiji Noor launched the VSAT ConnectMeNow programme in the Kudat district today.
The villages earmarked for the programme in Kudat are Kampung Andap, Kampung Popot, Kampung Bak Bak, Kampung Bingolon Laut, Kampung Gumandong, Kampung Rampai and Hutan Simpan Loro.
VSAT is a small-sized earth station used in transmitting and receiving data, voice and video signals over a satellite communication network.
Prior to this, the state science, technology and innovation ministry, which is the implementing agency, had installed five VSAT facilities for trial purposes in Ranau, Tambunan, Pitas, Papar and at the Papar Technology and Research Training Institute.
Next year, the ministry will instal VSAT facilities at 300 identified sites to complement the National Digital Network (Jendela) programme, which would be implemented by the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
MCMC has earmarked 138 sites for the VSAT installations in Sabah, and is working with the education ministry to instal VSAT services in 59 schools that do not have internet connection.
At the same event, Hajiji also signed the Jendela programme plaque to mark its state-level launching.
“The Jendela programme has been formulated to meet the need for and improve the quality and coverage of broadband services at cheaper prices and provide access to all sections of society.
“Communication infrastructure, especially fibre networks, are needed to support the digital economy agenda and enable all citizens to take advantage of opportunities that the latest technologies and innovations have to offer,” he said in a statement here today.
Sabah had been allocated RM3.5 billion to implement the Jendela programme, which is expected to boost the state’s 4G internet penetration to 90% by 2023.
Up to May this year, a total of 51 telecommunication towers had been built and another 483 are in the midst of construction.
At the same time, some 1,729 towers have been upgraded from 3G to 4G services and 1,648 are being upgraded. - FMT
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