Following “naked” tower concerns raised by Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil during his visit to Sarawak, the East Malaysian state has responded to the matter. According to Sarawak’s Minister of Utilities and Telecommunications Datuk Julaihi Narawi, the perception that the state has “naked” or “dishless” towers is inaccurate.
In a statement released yesterday, Julaihi explained that the provision of internet facilities is the responsibility of the federal government through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). However, to speed up and expand internet coverage in Sarawak, especially in rural areas, the state government has approved an allocation of RM1.89 billion under the Sarawak Linking Urban, Rural and National (SALURAN) initiative.
Besides erecting 600 towers (SMART 600), the initiative also covers SALURAN Satellite WiFi, Sarawak Rural Broadband Network (MySRBN), Digital Social Economy (DSE), Sebauh High-Speed Open Broadband Network and increasing internet capacity at Long San.
Julahi said the construction of SMART 600 tower project faces several challenges as it involves placement in rural and scattered rural areas with challenging topography. He added these areas received the least attention from telcos to provide internet services to consumers.
The Minister explained that all related works for a SMART tower take approximately 18 months before it can be used or becomes “on-air”. He elaborated the first 9-month period is for constructing the physical tower until it reaches the designed height while the remaining 9 months are for the installation, testing and commissioning of telecommunications equipment until it is ready to be used. Some delays may happen if the tower faces issues such as permits, land acquisition and permission to access the site and the use of utilities.
Julaihi said regardless of whether it is a SMART (SDEC), JENDELA (MCMC) or a commercial (provided by telcos) tower, there will be a transitional phase where the towers will be ‘naked’ between the period when the tower is completed and when the telco equipment is installed. The period can be prolonged due to factors such as COVID-19 pandemic, unfavourable weather conditions and the readiness of repeaters. He said MCMC’s JENDELA towers also take 18 months to complete.
He then explained that the perception or assumption of ‘naked’ tower arose due to the delay of telco equipment installation during the first phase of SMART as it was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the issue became more apparent due to global supply issues, however, he said the towers have been equipped in stages by the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC).
SMART Phase 1 towers to go “on-air” by Q3 2023, Phase 2 by Q1 2024
Julaihi updated that a total of 197 towers have been equipped with telco equipment. Out of this figure, 70 have been operational since Hari Raya and 55 more will be operational during Gawai. All towers under the first phase of SMART are expected to be operational or “on-air” by Q3 2023.
Meanwhile, the second phase of SMART which also covers 300 towers is still being implemented in stages. The towers under Phase 2 are expected to be operational in Q1 2024.
Previously, Fahmi said that a total of 125 out of 600 towers erected in Sarawak will be operational by Hari Gawai. To solve the ‘naked’ tower issue, he has instructed MCMC to start negotiations between the state’s Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication and the telcos to solve the remaining 475 towers that are not operational. He also said that installing antennas on water towers can be an option to solve internet access issue in Sarawak.
If ‘naked’ towers are a non-issue, was the minister misinformed? Or is this an indication that there’s a lack of coordination between the federal and state government? The MCMC is expected to publish its long-overdue JENDELA Q4 2022 report tomorrow which will reveal details about the state of 4G and 5G infrastructure in Malaysia. As highlighted by Fahmi in March, Malaysia’s 4G coverage has reached 97% of populated areas of as 31st December 2022, while fibre coverage has achieved 7.74 million premises passed.
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Related reading
- Why are there nearly 500 ‘naked’ telco towers in Sarawak?
- JENDELA: Malaysia’s 4G now covers 97% of populated areas, 5G at 54.7%
- Malaysia to transition to Dual 5G Networks in 2024 after DNB hits 80% population coverage
- Sarawak erects Malaysia’s first Multi-Operator Core Network tower to improve 4G coverage
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