MCMC is addressing the issue of Orang Asli internet performance at Pos Bihai and Pos Balar
The issue of telecommunication service disruption at Balar Post, caused by electricity supply disruption due to the generator at the telecommunication tower having run out of diesel fuel.
KOTA BHARU: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has taken steps to address the issue of Internet access occurring in the Orang Asli villages at Pos Bihai and Pos Balar in Gua Musang.
MCMC through a statement today informed that the issue of disruption of telecommunication services at Balar Post was caused by an electricity supply disruption due to the generator at the telecommunications tower having run out of diesel fuel.
The statement stated that the location of the two villages is estimated to be 300 kilometers (km) from Kota Bharu and access to the village is quite difficult with unpaved and hilly roads of up to 70km.
“The route to Balar Post has also been blocked due to the occurrence of landslides thus making it difficult to deliver diesel supplies to the tower.
“However, on Jan 5, the telecommunications tower at Pos Balar was successfully activated and returned to normal operation,” according to the statement and also stated that several solutions for short, medium and long term solutions have been identified for implementation and further research for the problem.
According to the statement, MCMC has discussed with the provider of available Wi-Fi broadband services via satellite (BWA), namely Numix Engineering Sdn Bhd and the owner of the transmitter tower CelcomDigi, to find a suitable solution.
“For a short-term solution, Numix has agreed and committed to increase the existing free Internet usage quota from 8 GB to 12 GB per month for each user, and was implemented on Jan 7 and Jan 8.
“As a medium-term solution that will be completed in the second quarter of 2023, MCMC and CelcomDigi plan to increase the capacity of the backhaul Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) for each existing transmitter in Kampung Tandrik, Pos Belatin, and Pos Balar from 4 Mbps to 10 Mbps temporarily.
“Meanwhile, for a long-term solution, MCMC in collaboration with CelcomDigi is examining a planning plan to develop a telecommunication tower near Kampung Orang Asli (KOA) Pos Bihai, and another transmitter structure at KOA Dakoh,” according to the statement.
The statement also informed that the tower will use ‘optical backhaul’ as a permanent solution’ to ensure that residents in the areas involved can enjoy mobile services in the near future.
“The MCMC will continue to monitor actions and take follow-up measures so that the problem of internet access can be dealt with comprehensively,” according to the statement.
