Sarawak Metro first in M’sia to secure dedicated spectrum for ART operations

Mazli (right) presenting a memento to Ahmad Nasruddin during the courtesy visit to MCMC Headquarters in Cyberjaya recently.

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, April 24: Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd has become the first organisation in Malaysia’s railway and public transportation industry to obtain a dedicated private frequency spectrum from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), a major milestone that will support the organisation and operations of the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) system under the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) project.

The spectrum allocation marks a significant advancement for Sarawak Metro, enabling the development of a highly secure and dedicated wireless communications system for KUTS.

In a media release today, Sarawak Metro highlighted that it will serve as a critical backbone for the ART system’s operations, ensuring reliable connectivity, improved safety, and efficient data transmission across the network.

The allocated spectrum is based on the Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS), the next-generation global standard for railway communications designed to enhance digital rail services through high-capacity data transfer, real-time communication, and advanced operational safety features.

Sarawak Metro chief executive officer Ts Mazli Mustaffa said the approval reflects a strong step forward in adopting future-ready technologies for public transport in Sarawak, particularly in aligning with the evolving FRMCS framework.

“We are now closer towards implementing a highly reliable and efficient communications system for the KUTS project, and with FRMCS available for our ART system, we will also be able to ensure the system remains aligned with MCMC’s regulatory direction as well as future spectrum planning and allocation,” he said.

Mazli added that Sarawak Metro had already successfully completed live trials of its Radio Telecommunication System (RTS), which is based on FRMCS architecture, in October 2024, demonstrating the system’s readiness for deployment.

During a recent courtesy visit to MCMC headquarters in Cyberjaya, Mazli also expressed appreciation for the Commission’s support in advancing digitalisation efforts within Sarawak’s public transport sector.
“Moving forward, we look forward to continuous engagements and strengthening collaborations with all industry stakeholders, especially with MCMC. This will be key to ensuring alignment, knowledge sharing, and the sustainable development of the ecosystem,” he said.

Mazli was received by MCMC Chief Regulatory Officer Ts Dr Ahmad Nasruddin Atiqullah Fakrullah and other officials, where appreciation was conveyed for the approval and allocation of the bandwidth that supports the development of the KUTS communications infrastructure. — DayakDaily