KUALA LUMPUR: The National Digital Network (Jendela) plan is now focused on providing internet coverage in public Institutions of Higher Learning (IPTA), army camps and expressways towards achieving the target of 100 per cent internet coverage in populated areas by 2025.

Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) chief operating officer, Datuk Mohd Ali Hanifiah Mohd Yunus said since Jendela was launched in 2020, internet coverage in populated areas has expanded to 97.03 per cent as of the third quarter of this year with average mobile broadband speeds exceeding 100 Megabits per second (Mbps).

"We get a lot of requests, for example at IPTA, army camps and even highways. Since there is a request we will cooperate with the relevant ministries, but the issue is for us to gain access to these areas to build the towers.

"Sometimes, it may take a long time due to commercial issues, likewise in army camps which may involve security issues and so on.

"For highways, we are faced with the issue of obtaining the site to build a tower, but all this is in the process, some may take a short time, some may take a long time," he said when appearing as a guest on the "Ruang Bicara: Bicara MCMC" programme with the title 'Development of Jendela in Malaysia by 2024' on Bernama TV last night (November 14).

Regarding the 5G connectivity which was carried out since 2021, he said, coverage has now reached 73 per cent of the population in populated areas as of last October.

"According to the initial plan, it is to be implemented this year, but looking at the neighbouring countries that have started implementing 5G earlier, we implemented it earlier, starting in Putrajaya, Cyberjaya and the Klang Valley, and from there, we have developed 500 locations through a special purpose vehicle appointed by the government, which is the Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB).

"Looking at it, it is one of the fastest growing 5G networks, not in the region only, but even the world," he said.

Meanwhile, MCMC Digital Economy Centre Department Head Jacinta Felix, who was a guest at the Ruang Bicara programme with the title 'Digital Economy Centre (PEDi) Conference', said PEDi's role in the development of digital entrepreneurship will continue to be strengthened.

She said the matter would be announced at an inaugural PEDi Conference, to be held this November 29 and scheduled to be opened by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC).

"We are targeting a total of 3,500 participants consisting of PEDi entrepreneurs, digital collaborators, and PEDi managers who will share information and experience in aspects of entrepreneurship development, job creation and skill improvement.

She said that in appreciation of the contribution and good service of PEDi managers and assistant managers, the MCMC has prepared five awards, namely the Best PEDi Award, Best Manager Award, Best Assistant Manager Award, Special Award and Best Entrepreneur Award for them.

The PEDis, in providing internet access in areas with less service coverage, also play a role in improving the socioeconomic status of local residents through various training programmes on basic computer, multimedia and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) courses, including digital entrepreneurship training, she added.

She said PEDi has helped a total of 27,000 entrepreneurs and is now focusing on the development of digital entrepreneurship.

This is to enable more small and micro-entrepreneurs to digitalise their businesses and get involved in the digital economy, thus increasing their income, she added. – Bernama