39 OUT OF 66 TELECOMMUNICATION TOWERS IN REMOTE TERENGGANU OPERATIONAL

KUALA TERENGGANU, July 10 (Bernama) -- A total of 39 out of 66 telecommunications towers under Phase 1 of the National Digital Network Plan (JENDELA) in Terengganu have begun operating.

Mohd Zhariff Md Raus, Programme Manager of USP Celcomdigi, said that their network provider role in Part 2 of JENDELA 1 utilises Multi Operator Core Network (MOCN) technology to support four coverage providers: Celcom, Digi, Maxis and U Mobile.

"In Terengganu, we were tasked by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to operationalise 66 towers, including 46 JENDELA 1 towers built by Theta Telecoms, a subsidiary of Theta Edge Berhad, and 20 towers from FGV Prodata Systems Sdn Bhd as quickly as possible.

"Of these towers, 39 are now operational, with the remaining dependent on the transmission medium used. Some utilise microwave frequencies, which are less complex to operate, while those using fibre optic cables require more time due to approvals from the Public Works Department and local authorities," he said.

He told this to reporters after the Commissioning and Handover Ceremony of 46 JENDELA Phase-1 Telecommunication Towers in Terengganu, here today, adding that the remaining towers are expected to be operational by the end of this year and next year.

He explained that although built in remote areas, they did not anticipate any access issues given that the towers were situated on hills with coverage distances ranging from 1.5 kilometres (km) to 3 km.

"However, for towers built in valley areas, the network coverage may be shorter depending on the surrounding geography," he said.

Meanwhile,Theta Edge Berhad chief executive offficer, Datuk Nuraslina Zainal Abidin said that their company commenced the construction of 46 towers under Part 1 of JENDELA 1 from February 2022 until last year, including one tower in Pulau Tenggol, Dungun, which previously had no telecommunications coverage at all.

"Due to the lack of coverage, there was no tourism activity, even though the island is a great spot for scuba diving. We received many complaints about difficulties during emergencies and challenges in posting on social media," she said.

She added that all these towers are scheduled to be operational within two to three months after the telecommunication coverage installation works by Celcomdigi.

"The first tower to be operational was in Kampung Tok Dor, Besut, on Sept 21, 2022," she said.

She notedd that through the provision of these facilities, it will boost the local economy by enabling residents to market tourism products and services online, as well as facilitating educational activities for students in the areas.

-- BERNAMA