5G COVERAGE IN PERAK POPULATED AREAS HITS 80.9 PCT AS OF SEPTEMBER - EXCO

IPOH, Nov 26 (Bernama) -- 5G coverage in populated areas across Perak has reached 80.9 per cent as of September, the State Legislative Assembly was told today.

State Communications, Multimedia and Non-Governmental Organisation Committee chairman Mohd Azlan Helmi said the network’s development was being implemented in stages through the expansion of transmitter sites in strategic and high-impact areas.

“The development of the 5G network is also being strengthened through U Mobile Sdn Bhd’s plan for a second 5G network, which is currently being implemented in phases. This move is expected to increase network capacity, offer more options to users and strengthen the competitiveness of the Perak’s digital ecosystem,” he said during the question-and-answer session.

He said this in reply to a question from Berhanudin Ahmad (PN-Manong) on the government’s efforts to expand 5G coverage in rural and remote areas to support the people’s digital economy, as well as its plans to develop a digital society in Perak.

Meanwhile, Mohd Azlan said there were several technical and logistical constraints that needed to be addressed in stages, including hilly terrain, areas without a clear Line of Sight (LOS) and the lack of fibre-optic backhaul in certain locations, to facilitate the network’s expansion.

“Factors such as low population density, lack of basic infrastructure and unstable electricity supply also have implications for the project’s implementation period.

“However, the expansion of the 5G network will continue to be implemented by considering site readiness, local needs and the priorities of high-impact areas such as industrial zones, educational institutions, public focal points and rural economic growth centres,” he explained.

On efforts to create a digital society in Perak, Mohd Azlan said one of the initiatives was the establishment of the Innovation and Multimedia Hub Unit (HiM), which is responsible for developing a skilled workforce through ICT programmes for entrepreneurs, students and school leavers.

“It includes technical and practical ICT training, corporate digital training for professionals, as well as ICT awareness programmes.

“HiM’s main function is to coordinate efforts to develop the state’s startup ecosystem, serve as a research, innovation and creative development hub for continuous learning, provide training facilities and support, and act as the centre of the Perak digital entrepreneur community,” he said.

--BERNAMA