Malaysian telco CelcomDigi said that it has formed a strategic partnership with Sarawak-based telecoms infrastructure firm Borneo Restu under the government’s Point of Presence (PoP) Phase 2 project to enhance high-speed internet access in Sarawak.
The governent’s PoP Project is designed to improve connectivity throughout Malaysia, with a focus on expanding internet access in both suburban and rural areas, especially to schools in these areas. In July, the Ministry of Communications said Phase 1 of the PoP project to install 677 PoPs in schools and industrial areas was 99.1% complete.
The ministry has allocated MYR3.9 billion (US$896.7 million) to continue the implementation of the PoP Phase 2, which involving 3,693 PoPs near schools in rural areas throughout Malaysia. For Sarawak, MYR1.08 billion has been allocated to Borneo Restu to build 681 PoPs across the state.
CelcomDigi CEO Datuk Idham Nawawi said that the enhanced digital access enabled by PoP Phase 2 in Sarawak will empower communities and drive overall economic development by opening up new opportunities for businesses, driving digital innovation, attracting investments, and creating new jobs.
“This partnership is a significant step in the development of Sarawak’s digital infrastructure, as we join forces to facilitate better digital access, ensuring that the enhanced connectivity benefits by all Sarawakians,” he said a statement.
Borneo Restu MD Ian W Lee reiterated the company’s readiness to deliver PoP Phase 2 within the given deadline.
“We remain committed to expediting the completion of the remainder of the project by the end of 2025, and look forward to playing a key role in Sarawak’s digital transformation by working closely with CelcomDigi to support Sarawak’s economic and social development through better connectivity,” he said,