Sabah should have own monitoring system for better internet connectivity

 By Olivia Miwil - November 28, 2020 @ 7:09pm

It is learnt that the bridge, which is about 18m above the river, is the only area that has an internet connection signal. - Picture courtesy of SMK Ulu Sugut Ranau PIBG

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah should have its own telecommunication tower monitoring system to ensure all existing towers are working in full swing in providing internet connectivity.

On Monday, three teens were injured after falling from a suspension bridge in Ranau in a bid to get better internet cellular coverage for their studies.

Common Tower Technologies Sdn Bhd chairman Ghazalie Ansing said the incident reflected the reality that Sabah lagged behind when it came to digital infrastructures.

"While other states are ready to make the transition from 4G, statistics show that 52 per cent of students in Sabah lack proper internet access rendering online classes during the Movement Control Order a failure," he said in a statement.

He said it was a high time the state government took a proactive role in addressing the issue of 'digital poverty'.

The National Digital Network (JENDELA) initiative announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin scheduled for 2021 is imperative in accelerating the full digitalisation of Malaysia.

JENDELA however may achieve its target of developing gradual connectivity upgrades only with hands-on involvement by the State Government and its agencies.

"The monitoring system is vital for the State Government to assess and meet the demands of internet capacities unique to each locality mapped in the JENDELA initiative to further serve the people better.

"Common Tower Technologies Sdn. Bhd, a subsidiary of Warisan Harta; fully backed by the State, will work hand in hand to further increase Sabah's internet connectivity," he said.

The company, which is one of the biggest players in the country, operates 257 telecommunications towers in Sabah.

Ghazalie said the company also planned to negotiate with relevant parties in realising the ambition of high speed broadband networks being finally accessible to every corner of Sabah.

"But to meet this aspiration, the Communications and Multimedia Ministry must first provide large allocations enough for the whole of Sabah to benefit and develop under its government."