KUCHING: Villagers in 150 suburban and rural locations across Sarawak will have high-speed broadband connectivity by the end of this year, says Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He said this would be achieved through the Sarawak Rural Broadband Network, which is being implemented by the state-owned Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) with an allocation of RM200mil.

“This is a new programme for rural areas with electricity supply through the Sarawak alternative rural electrification scheme.

“It has been implemented in 100 sites and there are 50 more to go.

“By the end of this year, all the sites will be connected, ” he said after launching the network at Long Terawan, a village near Mulu National Park, yesterday.

Abang Johari said the network would provide broadband speed of 30 megabits per second, enabling villagers and school students to connect to the world.

“With Internet access, you can sell your bananas and other produce not just to buyers in Miri but in Singapore and beyond, ” he said.

He advised the villagers to use the Internet for good and not to defame others on social media.

According to SDEC, the network is part of the state’s effort to digitalise Sarawak’s economy and connect its rural communities with the world.

Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/04/07/rm200mil-boost-for-broadband-in-rural-sarawak