The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has issued an invitation for companies interested in installing and provision satellite-based broadband connectivity in 839 locations across Johor, Kelantan, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Selangor, Sabah and Sarawak. In a press release regarding the matter, the MCMC noted the locations to be covered comprise of Orang Asli settlements in Peninsular Malaysia, and remote areas in Sabah and Sarawak ‘where the provisioning of public cellular services and mobile broadband will take a considerable time to deploy, given the consideration of population density and geographical terrain’. According to the telecoms regulator, it expects satellite broadband services to be made available in the proposed locations by October 2021, with people in these areas to gain access to free Wi-Fi connectivity at an average downlink speed of 35Mbps.
With the MCMC noting that this was ‘yet another initiative’ to expand coverage nationwide under the Jalinan Digital Negara Plan (JENDELA), it has said that all eligible and interested licensees can register their interest and submit draft universal service plans under Regulation 5 of the Communications and Multimedia (Universal Service Provision) Regulations 2002.