KOTA KINABALU: Better Internet connectivity is now available to villagers in six kampung in Sabah’s east coast Tawau, Semporna and Kunak districts with the recent completion of six telecommunications towers.

According to a statement by the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) on Wednesday (Oct 13), the six towers – out of nine to be built here under the National Digital Network (Jalinan Digital Negara, or Jendela) plan – started operating on July 30.

The towers are in Kg Bukit Qouin Ladang Sg Kawah and Kg Tamang Pulau Sebatik in Tawau; Kg Kabimbangan and Kg Igang-Igang in Semporna; and Kg Kunak 3 and Kg Telaga Tujuh in Kunak.

Almost 19,000 villagers are estimated to benefit from these towers.

Meanwhile, the construction and installation of new transmitters in three villages in Tawau – Kg Iban Kuala Nangsang, Kg Sungai Udin Sabah Softwood and Kg Skim Mesej Ladang Sungai Labah in Pulau Sebatik – is ongoing, the statement added.

These projects are expected to be completed in phases starting at the end of December this year.

As of August, the Jendela plan has seen a total of 16,480 premises in Tawau, Semporna, Kunak and Lahad Datu getting quicker and better Internet access, while 2,051 others are in the process of getting improved connectivity.

They are expected to enjoy the same benefits by March.

The expansion of broadband coverage and Internet connectivity involves residential, commercial and industrial areas as well as government institutions.

In the process of improving Internet connectivity in Tawau, a total of 467 transmission stations have been upgraded to 4G whereas 415 more are in process.

These projects are expected to be completed in phases by March as well.

There are also 21 locations in Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, and Lahad Datu which are expected to receive satellite broadband connectivity services by January.

Villagers in these locations will have free Internet access once the facilities are ready, the statement added.