KUCHING, 24 MAY 2024 – In a significant step towards enhancing digital connectivity in rural Sarawak, Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation Berhad (SDEC) today entered into agreements with four Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), namely CelcomDigi Berhad (CelcomDigi), Maxis Broadband Sdn. Bhd. (Maxis), U Mobile Sdn. Bhd. (U Mobile), and YTL Communications Sdn. Bhd. (YTL).
The event also saw a separate Domestic Roaming (DR) for SMART600 MoU signing between Maxis and TM Technology Services Sdn Bhd. TM customers will enjoy TM’s cellular services at all SMART600 sites, aligned with the Sarawak Government’s aspiration to ensure comprehensive network coverage in the region.
The signing ceremony at Hikmah Exchange Event Centre in Kuching was witnessed by YAB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, Premier of Sarawak who was represented by YB Dato Sri Haji Julaihi bin Haji Narawi, Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Sarawak; and YB Fahmi Fadzil, Minister of Communications.
Also present at the ceremony were YBhg Tan Sri Datuk Amar Haji Mohamad Morshidi bin Abdul Ghani, Chairman of SDEC; Ir. Azizi Abdul Hadi, Chief Development Officer of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC); other government officials from Federal and Sarawak agencies; and representatives from various MNOs.
Ir. Ts. Sudarnoto Osman, Chief Executive Officer, signed on behalf of SDEC. Mr. Joachim Rajaram, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, represented CelcomDigi, and Mr. Abdul Karim Fakir Ali, Chief Network Officer, represented Maxis. Mr. Woon Ooi Yuen, Chief Technology Officer, represented U Mobile, while Wing K Lee, Chief Executive Officer, represented YTL Communications. TM was represented by its Chief Network Officer, Mr. Mohamed Tajul Mohamed Sultan, during the ceremony. The ceremony highlighted the strong collaboration and shared commitment of these key stakeholders in driving the initiative forward.
The agreement marked the first 6-way Multi-Operator Core Network (MOCN) in the world, providing connectivity services from CelcomDigi, Maxis, U Mobile, YTL, and Sarawak Rural Broadband Network (MySRBN). With 600 SMART (Sarawak Multimedia Authority Rural Telecommunication) towers equipped with the MOCN system, telecommunication companies will be able to expedite the expansion of their mobile coverage footprint in rural areas of Sarawak.
The successful implementation of this initiative is attributed to the concerted efforts of various key players, with MCMC playing a pivotal role by providing regulatory oversight and uniting MNOs to collaborate and co-finance the project. This collaboration highlights a strong partnership between Sarawak and the Federal Governments, delivering a new collaboration model that is the first of its kind in Malaysia, which is essential for the rapid expansion of internet coverage in rural areas.
This project is estimated to benefit around 1,000 settlements in rural Sarawak. With this initiative, the community will enjoy ubiquitious coverage and regardless of the network they choose, they will be able to be connected.
As Sarawak moves forward in achieving its aspiration to become a digital economy powerhouse in the region, the collaboration aims to further bridge the digital divide and accelerate digital transformation in Sarawak, directly stimulating economic activities and uplifting the livelihood of the community in line with the objectives of the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030) and the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030 (SDE Blueprint 2030), leaving no one behind.