Additional Solutions Under Jendela Phase 2 Expected In Q4 2025 - Teo

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 3 (Bernama) -- Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said additional solutions to enhance high-speed internet access in rural areas under Phase 2 of the National Digital Network (JENDELA) plan are expected to be announced in the fourth quarter (Q4) of this year.

She said the implementation of Phase 2, led by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), will prioritise Sabah and Sarawak due to challenging terrain, limited grid power supply, and the absence of access roads - factors that necessitate the use of alternative technologies such as solar panels and satellite connectivity.

“This approach requires careful assessment of fit-for-purpose service delivery methods, as well as consideration of the Universal Service Provision Fund’s capacity to finance both capital expenditure and operational costs,” she said when winding-up the debate on the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) for the Communications Ministry at the Dewan Negara today.

To optimise existing infrastructure, Teo said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will upgrade the Multi-Operator Core Network (MOCN) from a four-way to a six-way configuration. The commission is also assessing the feasibility of integrating towers built under JENDELA Phase 1 into the 5G network rollout in Sabah and Sarawak.

She added that comprehensive discussions have been held with relevant agencies, including MCMC’s regional offices in Sabah and Sarawak, as well as 5G network providers, to evaluate the viability of the initiative - aimed at accelerating widespread coverage for communities in both states.

Meanwhile, Teo said the MCMC has been conducting periodic audits to ensure compliance with the Mandatory Standards for Quality of Service (MSQoS), aimed at improving internet coverage nationwide. Between Jan 1 and July 31 this year, a total of 2,781 quality tests were carried out, resulting in the detection of 1,684 non-compliance cases across 815 locations.

“A total of 462 non-compliances have been successfully rectified, while another 1,222 are still under assessment for the issuance of Commission Directives,” she said.

Last year, the MCMC issued 268 Commission Directives involving 219 locations under subsection 51(2) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, a provision that carries penalties of up to RM1 million in fines, imprisonment of up to 10 years, or both.

Teo added that the government has also expanded broadband infrastructure through the Point of Presence (PoP) initiative, offering speeds of up to 1Gbps. As of Aug 31, a total of 1,560 PoPs have been completed out of 3,693 Phase 2 sites, including 485 in Sabah and 406 in Sarawak.

The smart services initiative, implemented through the National Information Dissemination Centre (NADI), recorded over 710,000 participations between September 2024 and July 2025. Meanwhile, the SMART 600 project in Sarawak has seen 431 communications towers completed, with another 169 still under construction - part of a broader effort to boost rural connectivity across the state.

Teo also noted that communications have been officially recognised as a public utility since 2021, under the MCMC Communication Infrastructure Planning Guidelines (GPP-I), to facilitate the installation of infrastructure and narrow the digital divide in underserved areas.

-- BERNAMA