KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 18  – The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said it is taking proactive action to address problems of Internet access nationwide to ensure that the people can enjoy quality Internet services.

MCMC said it took action on a report about a group of school students in Kg Sri Kledang, Hulu Selangor who had to study under jackfruit trees and on hills in an oil palm plantation to gain Internet access under the home-based Teaching and Learning (PdPR) process.

Following that, MCMC said it devised a short-term solution whereby a new tower will be built near Kg. Sri Kledang and is expected to be operational by the end of March.

"Besides that, a communication tower under the National Digital Network (JENDELA) plan has been proposed to be built in the Changkat Ramu Orang Asli village about 2.1 kilometres (km) from Kg Sri Kledang and   is expected to start in early 2022,"  the commission said in a statement today.

Media reports on school students in the Sungai Air Tawar state constituency having the same problem also received the attention of MCMC which sent a team to the complaint location to get more information as well as check the quality of telecommunication network coverage there.

"MCMC contacted telecommunication companies to implement communication tower antenna optimisation in the village areas and is expected to be completed by the end of February, besides new towers will be built in the areas affected and tower construction work is expected to start at the end of 2021," said the commission.

In another case, MCMC received a complaint and made a location survey on the weakness of cellular coverage in Kampung Orang Asli Tasik Mentega, Pahang and instructed Celcom to carry out upgrading work on the Kg Paya Mentiga tower which is expected to be completed by the end of March.

MCMC added that a survey was also conducted in Kg Kuala Betis in Gua Musang, Kelantan on poor Internet access and that it will carry out work to improve the quality of Internet access as well as build a new tower at an Orang Asli village there which is located about three km under the JENDELA plan.

Regarding a complaint made in Kg Payong, Setiu, MCMC said it made another survey to check the quality of telecommunication network coverage and will upgrade a communication tower in the village with work  expected to start in the second quarter of 2021.

Apart from that, MCMC said it also received complaints and surveyed locations in Kg Bukit Chempedak, Kg Jerong Seberang, Kg Jerong Surau and Kg Jerong Tuan, Pengkalan Berangan Marang and that follow-up action will be taken.

"MCMC will upgrade the communication tower in Kg Jerong Seberang with work expected to start in the second quarter of 2021 and also build a new communication tower in Kg Bukit Chempedak starting in early 2022,"  it said.

MCMC further stated that it will continue monitoring activities as well as take follow-up measures so that the problem of Internet access nationwide can be fully addressed.