DiGi extends 3G to Labuan

Malaysian mobile network operator DiGi Telecommunications has announced that it has extended its third-generation services to the federal territory of Labuan in the east of the country, part of the state of Sabah. According to Bernama, at launch 3G services are available to around 65% of the region’s populated areas, and commenting on the development DiGi’s head for the Sabah region, Ng Chak Khin, noted: ‘The newly expanded coverage area is timely as we see increasing demand for data usage among Sabahans.’ The cellco has said it plans to expand its 3G service aggressively in Sabah to a number of the region’s other market centres, including Papar, Tuaran and Keningau by the end of 2011. At present it is understood that DiGi’s 3G network, which according to TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database was launched in March 2009 in the Klang Valley, currently covers around 46% of Sabah’s population, with the network having been rolled out in locations such as Kota Kinabalu, Lahad Datu and Sandakan.