MCMC: Jendela Phase 1 implementation successful

 

The implementation of the National Digital Network Plan (Jendela) Phase 1 (2020-2022) has surpassed its set network coverage area, mobile network speed and fibre connectivity targets.

Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) chief operating officer Mohd Ali Hanafiah Mohd Yunus said Jendela Phase 1 which concluded yesterday, saw 7.74 million premises installed with fibre internet connections, exceeding its 7.5 million initial target.

He said in the conclusion too, 96.92 percent of populated areas now have 4G network coverage and mobile networks speed achieving an average of 116.03 megabits per second (Mbps).

The initial target set for 4G network coverage was 96.9 percent and the target for mobile network speed was set at 35 Mbps.

“The most important step now is to achieve a certain level and maintain it at that level or go even higher,” he said at a virtual media and analyst briefing on Jendela Phase 1 concluding report yesterday.

Ali said Phase 2 implementation would commence soonest during the third quarter (Q3) of this year, or latest by the fourth quarter (Q4).

However, he said there are hurdles to be overcome before Phase 2 is implemented which includes the transition from a single wholesale network model to a dual wholesale network, as announced recently.

"The government has conducted a review where the single wholesale network policy will continue only until we reach 80 percent (5G coverage) at the end of this year.

"After that, we will migrate to dual-network. What the government has done is to set up a task force that meets every two weeks. The task force will go through all issues and hurdles," he said.

The existing Reference Access Offer (RAO) may also need to be updated or replaced as it was only meant for a single wholesale network model by design, he added.

“Once it becomes a dual entity, it will be different from the RAO that we have today which is based on a single wholesale network model.

“This is, in fact, one of the items being discussed by the task force at the moment,” he said.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had earlier announced that the nation’s 5G rollout will switch to a dual wholesale network model once the network under Digital Nasional Bhd reaches 80 percent coverage of populated areas to ensure quality 5G network.

In yesterday’s briefing, Ali also announced that 5G network coverage in populated areas now stands at 57.9 percent.

He said MCMC was confident that the 80 percent target by yearend could be achieved, though 5G network adoption was still low with only 1.2 million users or 3.1 percent as of last March.

- Bernama