{
  "id": 18617249,
  "title": "ITU: Malaysia to propose expanding internet coverage to areas with economic activities",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/itu-malaysia-to-propose-expanding-internet-coverage-to-areas-with",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-07T01:38:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/11/1572593/itu-malaysia-propose-expanding-internet-coverage-areas-economic"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Malaysia plans to propose expanding internet coverage standards to include areas with economic activities at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) level, according to Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil. The proposal aims to address connectivity issues in non-residential locations that serve as transportation hubs or economic centers. Fahmi argues that the current Coverage of Populated Areas (COPA) standard should be revised to Coverage of Economic Areas, ensuring connectivity needs in such areas are also met. Major roads, railway lines, ports, coastal regions, and tourism destinations are among the areas that may benefit from this revised approach. The move could position Malaysia as a pioneer in reevaluating digital connectivity needs and contribute to global discussions on telecommunications and information and communications technology development during the 2026 ITU Plenipotentiary Conference.",
  "summary": "DOHA: Malaysia intends to propose at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) level that Internet coverage measurements should no longer focus solely on the Coverage of Populated Areas (COPA) standard, but should also take into account areas where economic activities take place.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Bernama",
        "title": "General : ITU PP-26: Malaysia To Propose Internet Coverage To Include Areas With Economic Activities - Fahmi",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/general-itu-pp-26-malaysia-to-propose-internet-coverage-to-include",
        "published": "2026-11-07T01:02:51.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Fahmi: Malaysia eyes shift in internet coverage measurements to include key economic areas",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/fahmi-malaysia-eyes-shift-in-internet-coverage-measurements-to",
        "published": "2026-11-07T02:27:50.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}