News & Reviews:   National Digital Network Plan

During the Dewan Rakyat session, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil announced that Malaysia has achieved 99.71% internet and communications coverage in populated areas as of 31 December 2025. This marks a significant jump from the 91.8% coverage recorded before the implementation of the government’s National Digital Network Plan, JENDELA.

Communications Deputy Minister Teo Nie Ching revealed that contractors that are slow in constructing telecommunications tower projects under the National Digital Network Plan (JENDELA) have been given a deadline of 31 December to finish construction. She added that should they fail to meet the deadlines specified in the Notification of Approval could face punitive measures.

Ministry of Communications has voiced dissatisfaction with the contractors of the National Digital Network Plan (JENDELA) Phase 1 project in the rural areas of Sabah and Sarawak. Its Deputy Minister, Teo Nie Ching revealed that despite the project’s supposed completion in 2022, it is yet to be finished.

Sabah Assistant Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (KSTI) Datuk Seri Dr Ruddy Awah has announced that the 4G coverage in the state’s populated areas is at 88.06 per cent as of the first quarter of 2022. For comparison, the coverage was at 73.41 per cent in the second quarter of 2020, which is prior to the implementation of the National Digital Network Plan (JENDELA).

Terengganu Infrastructure, Public Facilities, Utilities and Technology Committee chairman, Dr Mamad Puteh has announced that the state will have 66 new telecommunications towers operational next year under the National Digital Network Plan (JENDELA). Furthermore, the state’s 4G coverage in populated areas are also expected to increase to 97.26 percent by the end of this year.

As 3G continues to shut down to make way for 5G, there is a new announcement by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) about the progress. In line with the National Digital Network Plan (JENDELA), the initial sunsetting for 3G in December 2021 has been extended to the end of March 2022.