Malaysia and Indonesia to convene in Sabah within two weeks to discuss Signal and Spectrum issues concerning Sebatik Island

In a bid to improve internet coverage and address specific telecommunications problems, a meeting between high-ranking officials from Malaysia and Indonesia is scheduled to take place in Kota Kinabalu within the next two weeks.

The meeting, announced by Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, will be attended by representatives from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and its Indonesian counterpart. Among the attendees will be Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, Datuk Seri Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, and Julina Johan.

The main focus of the discussion will be the telecommunications situation on Sebatik Island, Tawau, where residents have reported issues. Fahmi Fadzil, the Minister, has mentioned that these complaints have been received and that the meeting is intended to address these concerns.

As part of the meeting, the MCMC will study signal spillover from the neighbouring country and several spectrum-related issues. The goal is to reach 100 per cent internet coverage nationwide, but this will require the use of unconventional technologies due to high costs and time-consuming land acquisition issues.

Preliminary proposals for addressing telecommunications issues on Sebatik Island include the use of repeaters, but they are seen as only temporary solutions. The Jendela programme, which has towers under construction expected to be completed by the end of this year, aims to further improve internet coverage in populated areas.

Currently, internet coverage in populated areas of Sabah stands at 95.30 per cent, according to Fahmi Fadzil, and can be improved through initiatives under the National Digital Network (Jendela) plan. Fahmi Fadzil also directed that Jendela Phase Two use appropriate technologies according to the area.

The average internet coverage in populated areas nationwide is expected to reach 98.6 per cent after the completion of Jendela phase. However, to achieve 100 per cent coverage, unconventional technologies will be used in Jendela Phase Two due to high costs and time-consuming issues like land acquisition.

The meeting will take place after September 6, but the specific location within Kota Kinabalu has not been specified yet. The discussions are expected to be comprehensive and will cover various aspects of the telecommunications industry, aiming to improve connectivity and address the needs of the people in both countries.

Malaysia and Indonesia to convene in Sabah within two weeks to discuss Signal and Spectrum issues concerning Sebatik Island