On 15 January 2021, the Commission issued an open invitation under the Regulation 5 of USP Regulations 2002 to all licensees to register their interest and participate in the deployment of new communications towers at 1,661 locations, which represent a massive number of locations at any one time for any USP project to date.
From the total number of locations, 641 locations are within the Peninsular; and 1,020 locations are planned for the Federal Territory of Labuan, Sabah and Sarawak.
This project aims to bridge the digital divide between the urban with rural and remote communities as well as to address the coverage issues. Upon its completion, this project will have a significant impact on the coverage and the quality of services (public cellular and mobile broadband). End-users will enjoy an average speed of 35 Mbps, particularly those who live in rural and remote areas. This is in line with the JENDELA’s target to increase 4G coverage to 96.9% by 2022.
Generally, there are several criteria for identifying sites and selecting locations for the implementation of new communications towers in any particular area, as follows:
- Information from MCMC State Offices;
- Complaints from the public; and
- Technical and financial reports based on actual site surveys by independent consultants appointed by the Commission.
Figure 1: Distribution of 1,661 New Communications Towers Locations
The scope of work to be undertaken by the Designated Universal Service Provider (DUSP) for the rollout of new communications towers is shown in Figure 2:
Part 1 – Passive Infrastructure |
Part 2 – Active Infrastructure |
|---|---|
|
To supply, deliver and install tower(s) and its ancillaries, for the provision of public cellular services
|
To design, supply, install, test, commission and operate network service equipment and services, and To provide 2G and 4G services with an average speed of 35 Mbps, via Multi Operator Core Network (MOCN) sharing solution for minimum of 4 service providers |
Part 1
Part 1
Part 2
Part 2
Figure 2: The Scope of Work to be Undertaken by the Designated Universal Service Provider (DUSP) for the Rollout of New Communications Towers
| State | Total Locations | |
|---|---|---|
 |
Sarawak | 636 |
 |
Sabah | 382 |
 |
Pahang | 191 |
 |
Johor | 107 |
 |
Perak | 105 |
 |
Kedah | 67 |
 |
Terengganu | 65 |
 |
Kelantan | 54 |
 |
Negeri Sembilan | 27 |
 |
Selangor | 17 |
 |
Malacca | 7 |
 |
Federal Territrory of Labuan | 2 |
 |
Penang | 1 |
| TOTAL | 1,661 |
Table 1: Number of New Communications Towers Locations by State
NEW COMMUNICATIONS TOWERS IN LIPIS, PAHANG
This project is part of the Commission’s efforts to improve the quality and coverage of communications and multimedia services in Malaysia, in accordance with the objectives pursuant to sub regulation 3(1) of the USP Regulations, by:
- Enhancing nationwide 4G coverage to 96.9% in populated areas; and
- Improving the average speed of mobile broadband from 25Mbps to 35Mbps.
For decades, the deliciousness of gula kabung (palm sugar), a natural sweetener made from the sap of palm trees, produced by the family of Abu Johar Sudin in Kampung Peruang, Benta, Pahang here has only been known among the locals. But now, the business, which has been in operation for the past 45 years, led by Abu Johar or better known as Pak Abu, 65, since he was 20 years old to pay for the education of his seven children, has been receiving overwhelming demands from customers nationwide after expanding their business using various social media platforms.
Abu Johar’s youngest daughter, Marzaitul Husna, 28, along with her brother Mohd Azizul, 31, said they have been actively promoting their products through various applications and did not expect to receive encouraging response.
The online marketing effort was made possible through the implementation of the new communications towers, which provided 4G services in the area, and the family has been busy fulfilling the orders received from customers.
Pak Abu, an entrepreneur of gula kabung (palm sugar)
– The Star Picture
Pak Abu, an entrepreneur of gula kabung (palm sugar)
– The Star Picture