TUARAN: A total of 60,337 premises in Sabah have been equipped with fixed broadband infrastructure, while 1,850 transmitter stations have been upgraded and 51 new 4G towers have been erected as of June 30, says Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup.

He said this was achieved using part of the RM3.5 billion allocated for Sabah under the National Digital Network Plan (JENDELA) until next year, which involved a total of 251,165 premises, 3,374 transmitter stations and 534 new 4G towers, to bridge the digital divide between urban and rural residents.

“This effort will be able to improve the standard of living and the digital economy (of the people in Sabah), as well as facilitate online-based activities, such as learning and trade,” he told reporters after visiting the JENDELA Project in Kampung Rungus Nahaba here today.

Arthur, who is also Pensiangan MP, said the JENDELA project in the village involved one of the 51 new towers completed on June 1, and could benefit about 250 residents, including teachers and students at SK Rungus Nahaba.

He said the telecommunications tower at the village would boost the standard of living of locals, and make it easier for them to carry out various daily tasks which required internet access.In addition, a total of 781 points of presence (PoP) will be provided near the school area for broadband connectivity, to enable government premises, residential areas and nearby commercial buildings to have access to broadband services.

Arthur said PoP would also be provided in industrial areas in Sabah, including the Kastam Baru industrial area, Keningau industrial area and the Sandakan Palm Oil Industrial Cluster (POIC).

Other areas are Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP), Rancha-Rancha Industrial Park, Kiamsam Industrial Park, SEDCO IP Inanam and phases one and two of the Lahad Datu POIC.

He said the provision of PoPs implemented under the government’s allocation, was in the tender process conducted by the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia Malaysia.

“The MyDigital initiative is a critical benchmark for realising the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) from 2021-2025, in line with efforts towards the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030,” he said.