A total of 266 out of 577 telecommunication towers under the National Digital Interconnection Plan (JENDELA) Phase 1 are still not operational. It has also exceeded the nine-month target period set. That might explain the low internet coverage in rural areas. So, what should you know about it?
According to Bernama, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said it involved the company YTL Communications Sdn Bhd which was found not to complete 51 telecommunication towers received through JENDELA. He said:
“The worst YTL, I'm sorry I have to mention here, of the 51 towers that were received, all 51 were unfinished.”
In addition, CelcomDigi received 866 towers and 366 of them are still in implementation, Maxis (134 towers, 96 in implementation), U Mobile (143 towers, 19 in implementation), and REDTone (191 towers, 45 in implementation). As of October 31, as many as 1,385 out of 1,661 towers have been completed and of the total number of completed towers, only 808 towers have been operational.
Moreover, Fahmi said the contractor will face strict action if the telecommunications tower is completed late. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has also been asked to examine any telecommunications tower that faces delays in completion.
According to him, among the penalties that can be imposed under the Naming Notification Notice to the tower builder for failure to complete the tower within the specified period are liquidated damages, taking a Performance Bond, rejection of claims and legal action under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
Meanwhile, to address the issue of internet access in urban and rural areas, Fahmi said the government through MCMC has set a target to provide 100% internet coverage in populated areas by 2025 under JENDELA.
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