Bridging the digital gap by expanding communications technology throughout Malaysia
In the Twelfth Malaysia Plan, the Government laid out its latest targets to bridge the digital divide among the rakyat, to mitigate a situation that has created inequality in economic opportunities between urban and rural communities due to the challenging geographical terrain in rural areas. The implementation of Pelan Jalinan Digital Negara (JENDELA) enables sustainable, inclusive and high-quality digital infrastructure, as well as wider fifth-generation technology standard (5G) coverage throughout Malaysia. Private enterprises such as MEASAT joined the effort to bring connectivity to areas not served by conventional 3G and 4G cellular networks using its CONNECTme NOW satellite broadband service, which offers internet speeds of up to 100 Mbps. To bring the service to remote areas, MEASAT relies on its committed distributor network, including companies like CDJ Telecommunication Services in Sandakan and exclusive distributor E-eritel in Sarawak and Vistin in Peninsular Malaysia, to act as conduits in helping the population overcome limitations from the lack of tower infrastructure. The team installed over a thousand CONNECTme NOW sites despite the challenges of Covid-19 and the Movement Control Order (MCO).
The future of connectivity begins now
Around the world, people are continuing to find new ways to benefit from improved connectivity in the 5G age. In remote locations, a community-focused satellite broadband service like CONNECTme NOW not just improves socioeconomic opportunities by opening access to new knowledge and learning and new services like banking and e-commerce; it also extends the reach of services like telemedicine and enables coordination, consultation and knowledge exchange between rural healthcare workers and their colleagues in urban areas; and enables rural residents to participate in civic life far beyond their own geographical location, by connecting them with their urban counterparts.
MEASAT is committed to maintaining an up-to-date fleet of satellites to meet the demand for satellite broadband connectivity and a team of distributors to ensure connectivity is accessible even to people living in the most remote locations around Malaysia.