Saifuddin: Pitas benefits from govt enhancing Internet in Sabah

The government’s initiative to enhance internet connectivity in Sabah through the National Digital Network (Jendela) and Universal Service Provision (PPS) also benefits residents in Pitas, said Communications and Multimedia Minister Saifuddin Abdullah.

Under Jendela and PPS, he said, 17 towers were allocated for Pitas, with seven of them completed, two under construction, and eight being planned.

Pitas came in the news recently after local girl Veveonah Mosibin had to climb a tree to get Internet connection.

"One of the towers under construction is in Kampung Sapatalang and when completed, it will provide 4G access to residents in the area," said Saifuddin, adding that the project is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2021.

In a statement issued today, he said it was through various initiatives by the government that the people in Pitas were able to improve their socio-economic status, as well as carry out their various daily chores easily and smoothly.

Saifuddin said six transmitters in Pitas have been upgraded to 4G, while another 18 are in the process of being upgraded.

He said Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) managed the Internet centre at Kampung Pinggan-Pinggan, which is about 11km from Kampung Sapatalang, where the broadband speed has been enhanced through fiber-optic connections to reach 300Mbps.

"The Internet centre provides a stable access facility and also serves to encourage the local community to engage in digital socio-economic activities," he added.

Saifuddin said Sabah was one of the largest beneficiaries under Jendela which gave priority to communication infrastructure development projects in the state from 2020 to 2022.

The projects included the additional 382 new communication towers that are being planned and the upgrading of 924 communication transmitters at the existing towers, he said.

Apart from that, he said, 35 new towers and 1,048 communication transmitters at existing towers will be commercially upgraded by service providers to increase 4G coverage, and that 251,166 premises will also be provided with access to fiber optics.

On Aug 29, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced the implementation of Jendela as an initiative by the government and industry players to enhance the level of connectivity and quality of communication services nationwide through faster and comprehensive infrastructure development.

- Bernama