STRATEGIC COOPERATION CAN HELP QUICKLY PROVIDE NETWORK COVERAGE FOR RURAL AREAS, O&G SECTOR – ZAHIDI

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 13 (Bernama) -- The strategic cooperation between Northtelecom Group and Thuraya Telecommunications will help the country improve and quickly provide network coverage for rural areas, including the oil and gas sector, says Communications and Multimedia Deputy Minister Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin.

He said the collaboration of the companies based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) also opened job opportunities for Malaysians in fields related to telecommunications.

"This joint venture is important for them to provide satellite services in Malaysia that will benefit residents in rural and remote areas including in the ocean, for the transport, fishing and related sectors.

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"We need another two years to plant fibre optic (cables) or build substations, but with the presence of satellites from Thuraya Telecommunications, we can provide 'backup' services in areas that have no coverage," he said.

He told reporters after witnessing the signing of the strategic cooperation agreement between Northtelecom Group, Thuraya Telecommunications and ScopeTel Sdn Bhd in conjunction with the international oil, gas and petrochemical conference and exhibition ‘OGA x MOGSEC & PSC 2022’ here, today.

"We know that these companies from the UAE are more inclined to offer technology to other countries without bringing their people to work in those countries, and this, at the same time, opens up job opportunities for locals.

"We at the ministry level also have various courses to train Malaysians to work in the field of telecommunications, including fibre optics and satellites. We will also have further discussions with these companies on this matter (courses)," he said.

During the ceremony earlier, the cooperation agreement was signed by Northtelecom CEO Hadi Nazari Mehrabi; Thuraya Telecommunications Executive Vice President-Sales Muiz Saad and Scopetel Sdn Bhd Managing Director Rakesh Jethi.

Northtelecom Company is a satellite communications service provider headquartered in Dubai offering its services to various industries including maritime, energy and broadcasting.

ScopeTel Sdn Bhd is a local company incorporated in Malaysia in 1991 and offers telecommunications and network solutions based on satellites or Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT).

Thuraya Telecommunications is the mobile satellite services subsidiary of UAE-based Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PJSC (Yahsat), offering innovative communications solutions to various sectors including government, broadcast media, military, aerospace and humanitarian non-governmental organisations.

-- BERNAMA