KAPIT, 9 AUGUST 2022 – The Premier of Sarawak today officiated the Sarawak Multimedia Authority Rural Telecommunication (SMART) in Ng. Sekukut, in the Central Region of Sarawak. The launching of SMART highlights the government’s commitment to addressing and enhancing connectivity in rural Sarawak.

“This SMART gives a significant shift in communication as it opens the world of opportunities to the Kapit community where they can now participate in the digital economy by utilising the e-commerce platform. Further, other businesses can now choose Kapit as their preferred business destination due to its seamless communication”.

“SDEC is proud to launch this SMART and we hope the community will make full use the facility provided by the government of Sarawak by participate aggressively in our digital economy and improve their livelihoods”, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Bin Abdul Ghani, Chairman of SDEC.

Sarawak, Linking, Urban, Rural and Nation (SALURAN) is an initiative under the Sarawak government which aims to bridge the digital divide between urban and rural areas by improving 4G coverage in rural areas by enabling consumers to use data services and make calls seamlessly. SMART and Sarawak Rural Broadband Network (MySRBN) are among the components under SALURAN initiatives.

With the launching of this SMART, all the network operators such Digi, Maxis, Celcom and UMobile are able to leverage on the infrastructure without having the need to bring more phones and simcards just to enjoy internet connectivity. This technology is called the Mobile Operators Core Network (MOCN) where it shares access network between two or more operators.

In Kapit in particular, a total of 51 SMART have been planned and will be built throughout Kapit Division with 14 of them are under phase 1 while the rest will be completed under phase 2. There are 16 locations that have received MySRBN services, each in Pelagus, Katibas, Bukit Goram, Belaga and Murum.

SMART in Ng. Sekukut is among other SMART that have been completed under the Phase 1 of SMART Project. The remaining SMART, equipped with telecommunication equipment are expected to be completed in stages by 2023. With the completion of 600 SMART from Sematan to all the way up to Lawas will cover 93.6% inhabitants’ areas of Sarawak.

The Multi-Operator Core Network (MOCN) will be installed in all SMART. Beyond the current initiative, the SMART will also be equipped Sarawak Rural Broadband Network (MySRBN) which allows the rural community to enjoy affordable home broadband with high-speed internet connectivity.