The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has upgraded 5,128 existing communications tower locations to 3G and 4G services, including in rural areas nationwide with another 51 more tower locations were in process of being upgraded.

Communication Minister YB Gobind Deo stated “As of August this year, a total of 2,397 new communications towers were fully operational in rural areas nationwide and another 249 new communications towers were in the implementation stage.

“The government always give focus to the development of comprehensive communications infrastructure which includes providing more comprehensive, stable and quality broadband coverage, especially in rural areas,” he said in reply to Arthur Joseph Kurup (PBRS-Pensiangan) during question time in Parliament.

Arthur had wanted to know about the government’s move to ensure that the people in rural areas, including in Sabah, would also get to enjoy communication services, such as mobile phones and the internet.

In order to give clarity on circumstances affecting deployment of telecommunication service in rural areas, Gobind suggested that MCMC hold a briefing with all parliamentarians so that they would be able to learn more about geographical challenges faced by the government in providing stable telecommunication network services in each area.

The Minister plans to announce a date for the the briefing and urged Members of Parliament to take this opportunity and give their views and opinions to help understand the specific challenges in their respective states.