Ports, railways and highways could be next in Malaysia’s 5G coverage push

Butterworth, 17th October — The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Communications Ministry are set to examine expanding telecommunications coverage to encompass vital economic sectors such as ports, railways, and highways. Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil emphasized the need to reconsider the Coverage of Populated Area (CoPA) metric, as standard telecommunication companies and global bodies typically use it to gauge connectivity in densely populated areas.

However, for 5G access, areas like ports, despite lacking residents, play a pivotal role in driving substantial economic activities. Fahmi also pledged to voice this proposition at international platforms, including an International Telecommunication Union conference in Doha in November, to explore extending 5G and subsequent technologies beyond populated zones to economic hubs.

The Minister made these remarks after inaugurating the Penang Port Private 5G initiative at the North Butterworth Container Terminal (NBCT), establishing Penang Port as the inaugural port in Malaysia to partner with Altel Communications Sdn Bhd and Penang Port for a private 5G network. Other attendees included Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Jagdeep Singh Deo, Deputy Secretary-General for Telecommunications Infrastructure in the Communications Ministry V. Mano, and MCMC Managing Director Abdul Karim Fakir Ali.

Fahmi highlighted the significance of dependable connectivity for industrial processes, advocating for telecommunications infrastructure to extend beyond populated zones. He further pointed out that private 5G networks could be broadened to incorporate manufacturing and logistics, especially for multinational corporations (MNCs) operating within Malaysia, owing to their capacity to deliver dedicated connectivity and accommodate a greater number of devices, including machinery demanding high precision.

The minister, who also serves as the Madani government spokesman, asserted that his ministry would draft a Cabinet memorandum on the proposal and collaborate with the Ministry of Transport (MOT) to broaden coverage, potentially via 5G deployment at additional ports. He credited prior collaboration between the two ministries for bridging internet connectivity gaps along crucial rail routes, encompassing sections managed by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB).

Fahmi affirmed that the ministry would push for the wider adoption of private 5G networks by private-sector enterprises, including manufacturers and oil palm plantations, to enhance operational efficiency and safety.