Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation signs agreement with telcos for provision of multi-operator core network

KUCHING (May 24): The Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) today has entered into agreements with four mobile telecommunications companies (telcos) for the provision of multi-operator core network (MOCN) services in an effort to improve rural communications connectivity.

The telcos are Maxis Broadband Sdn Bhd, CelcomDigi Bhd, U Mobile Sdn Bhd and YTL Communications Sdn Bhd.

The agreement-signing ceremony was witnessed by Sarawak Minister for Utility and Telecommunications Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi and federal Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

The event also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MAxis and TM Technology Services Sdn Bhd on domestic roaming for SMART600 telecommunication towers.

Speaking to a press conference after the signing ceremony at Hikmah Exchange, Julaihi said the agreements mark a cooperation between the state government and its federal counterparts, whereby it can serve as a platform for the state to broaden its internet connectivity.

“The (SMART600) towers are part of a component whereby the state conducted an intervention to complement the federal government’s efforts in speeding up the implementation of Internet connectivity in Sarawak.

“Of the total 600 towers (in Sarawak), as of now 512 of them have been constructed – 308 of them are already on-air and 247 were already equipped with MOCN services,” he said

Meanwhile, Fahmi said today was the highest point from all the discussions that were done with the mobile operators in expediting the provision of MOCN services to the towers.

He said he had previously announced that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Ministry of Finance (MoF) have agreed to provide funds totalling RM116 million for three years in equipping the towers with MOCN.

“The first year, (MCMC) is to provide RM42 million, while MoF to provide RM37 million for the latter two years.

“Telecommunication providers will allocate RM28 million per year within the three-year period, so the total allocation amounts to RM200 million to ensure the towers are equipped with six-way MOCN,” he added.