Quality Internet Access A Major Boost For Digital Economy

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama) – Efforts by the government to improve the quality of Internet access, especially in rural and interior areas, have made it possible for the people to leverage digital technology to their advantage in the business, social and education sectors.

Now deemed a basic necessity of the people, the provision of quality Internet access has become a major agenda of the government and it is being fulfilled through the National Digital Network Plan (JENDELA) which includes building new communication towers across the nation and upgrading existing networks to 4G technology.

Besides fixed and mobile broadband services, satellite broadband connections are also being provided, including in interior areas such as Orang Asli villages.

 

Among those benefitting from the government’s digitalisation efforts is the business community, including patrons of the Malaysian Family Digital Economy Centres (PEDi), who rely on the power of the Internet to propel their enterprises

As of March 31 this year, a total of 909 PEDi were operating nationwide and the government hopes to increase the number to 1,088 by the end of 2023.

Sharing her views, Jiehada Ematullah Abdul Kapoor, who is one of the business icons of PEDi Felda Pasak in Kota Tinggi, Johor, said the availability of a stable and quality Internet network is crucial to the success of an online business.

The 32-year-old entrepreneur, who runs an online cosmetic and food venture, said thanks to the guidance and training provided by PEDi Felda Pasak, she has become adept at promoting her business on social media and using online marketing tools.

“I now know how to record and edit photos and videos for the purpose of promoting my business. To upload videos on social media, we need high-speed Internet access, so we certainly support and appreciate the efforts taken by the government and telecommunication companies to upgrade the Internet service here,” she said.

Siti Muaizal Md Yassin, 44, a business icon of PEDi Felda Kahang Barat, also in Johor, said she is looking forward to the completion of the broadband project in her area.

This entrepreneur, who makes and sells bitter gourd chips, said she has been taking advantage of various online applications to market her product in and even out of Johor.

Describing the Communications and Multimedia Ministry’s efforts to upgrade Internet services as timely because it meets the current needs of the people, the head of Felda Kahang Barat settlers Mohd Isa Yaaman said in his Felda settlement – located in Kluang, Johor – alone, about 1,250 people are benefiting from quality Internet access.

 

 Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa himself has been touring the nation, from Sabah right up to Perlis, to monitor the quality of Internet access, communication infrastructure and digital networks in every state.

While he was in Johor, he visited PEDi Felda Pasak and Felda Kahang Barat to look at the facilities provided by the centres to encourage operators of micro, small and medium enterprises to participate in digital economic programmes.

During his visit, he also briefed community leaders at various levels on the government’s efforts to enhance the quality of Internet access as well as how the people can benefit from the digital economy.

Among the initiatives implemented by the government is JENDALA which aims to provide quality digital connectivity to all Malaysians and will be implemented in two phases.

Phase 1 (ongoing up to the end of this year) aims to increase 4G coverage from 91.8 percent to 96.9 percent in populated areas by the end of this year; increase mobile broadband speeds from 25 Mbps to 35 Mbps; connect 7.5 million premises to fibre optic networks; and roll out infrastructure for the provision of 5G coverage.   

Phase 2 (2023 onwards) will focus on bridging the digital divide by utilising the Fixed Wireless Access technology and other technologies as well.

The government is also providing broadband infrastructure using the Point of Presence (PoP) method. PoP is a fibre optic hub that can be used at schools, industrial areas and government premises as well as the surrounding communities.

The PoP project involves two phases, with the first phase (ongoing until the end of this year) involving 630 schools and 47 industrial areas. Priority is given to rural schools with high student enrolments located in states without fibre optic coverage for many schools.

Phase 2 will focus on improving broadband services in rural areas and will involve 3,693 locations all over the country.  

 

Speaking to community leaders during a briefing session on JENDELA and PoP in Kuala Terengganu recently, Annuar said the government is committed to upgrading the quality of communications as it has become imperative that people have access to competent and world-class communication services.

“To implement high-speed Internet access, a lot of work has to be done in the background but not many people understand what needs to be done. The lack of participation by the people (including community leaders) in matters relating to telecommunications will surely make (our) efforts less effective.

“I am taking the approach of making telecommunications more people-friendly so that people can understand telecommunications-related matters better. With this in mind, I started my series of communications tours, bringing along (the necessary) devices to measure the Internet speed at any location,” the minister said.

He also urged telecommunications companies in this country to be more proactive in upgrading their existing communication towers, particularly those located in rural and interior areas, to help the government in its efforts to expand connectivity and improve Internet coverage.

Meanwhile, users who have problems with their Internet access can lodge a report with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission or provide their feedback via the JENDELA Map portal developed by MCMC to review and relay information on matters related to the coverage of communication services.   

The portal can be accessed at https://jendela.my or through its mobile application that can be downloaded at Google Playstore for Android phone users or Apple Store for iPhone users.

 

Translated by Rema Nambiar

BERNAMA