Melaka expedites 4G coverage in rural areas ahead of Aidilfitri, installing new towers and temporary sites to handle the surge in data usage.
JASIN: The Melaka government is accelerating efforts to ensure robust 4G internet coverage in several rural areas ahead of the expected surge in data usage during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri festive period.
State Science, Technology, Innovation and Digital Communication Committee chairman Datuk Fairul Nizam Roslan said the proactive measures are being implemented in collaboration with telecommunication companies under the Universal Service Provision programme.
He explained that Melaka ICT Holdings Sdn Bhd and CelcomDigi have been instructed to take immediate interim action, including accelerating the completion of telecommunication infrastructure in identified areas with poor coverage.
“CelcomDigi has been tasked with installing telecommunications radio equipment supported by a temporary electricity supply using generators, with the target of completion and operation in stages,” he told reporters after visiting a new tower site in Kampung Air Repat, Nyalas.
Fairul Nizam said eight new telecommunication tower structures have been completed and activated in stages, with the CelcomDigi site in Kampung Air Repat beginning operations.
The other six operational sites are in Kampung Batu Gajah, Kampung Chenderah, Kampung Pondok Batang, Kampung Baru Tanah Pinggir Meriang, Kampung Seri Kesang and Kampung Tersusun Datuk Mohd Hidhir, while the Taman Panglima Pak site is in its final installation phase.
“I hope the coverage problem that has long plagued these areas can be overcome, thus providing comfort to the locals and those returning home to celebrate Hari Raya,” he said.
He added that the Maxis service provider currently has three operational sites at Taman Bemban Heights, Asahan and Kampung Permatang Tulang.
Nine more sites are undergoing the land application and approval process through the One-Stop Centre, involving locations such as UTeM, UiTM Alor Gajah, Kampung Kuala Linggi and Jasin Hospital.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, MICTH and telco representatives have also been instructed to conduct ground inspections and tests at operational sites to ensure stable service quality.
Fairul Nizam also urged the public to download the MCMC Nexus application to test internet speed and report any coverage issues in real time.
