Kota Kinabalu: The construction of communication towers is the best solution to address the problem of broadband Internet coverage in the area of Kampung Gusi, Ranau, 107km from here, said Common Tower Technologies Sdn Bhd (CTT) Chairman Ghazalie Ansing.
He said the Internet problem in the area was because the radius of the broadband network was not wide enough and could be solved with communication towers that had wide coverage radii.
“Limited access in Kampung Gusi has forced school students to find specific locations to enable them to access broadband. To ensure broadband can be accessed from the homes of the students, the construction of telecommunication towers is the absolute solution.
“The radius of broadband access that reaches several kilometres allows not only school students but also the residents of Kampung Gusi and the residents in the surrounding area to benefit,” he said in a statement, Monday. On Nov 23, two students were injured after falling when walking on a suspension bridge in Kampung Gusi to get Internet connection to attend online classes.
On Sunday, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said in a statement that it would implement a temporary solution by providing broadband services to Kampung Gusi through “Very Small Aperture Terminal” (VSAT) technology with the support of CTT.
In addition, MCMC informed that three telecommunication towers would be built near Kampung Gusi under the National Digital Networking Plan (Jendela).
Ghazalie said VSAT was capable of providing broadband access for about 100 to 200-metre radius only, therefore transmitter plates would be placed in the school area for the convenience of students and CTT welcomed the construction of the three towers as an absolute solution to the area’s Internet issue.
“The construction of telecommunication towers needs to be increased throughout the State, especially in rural areas, to ensure that the communities there also have the best broadband access as enjoyed by the urban communities,” he said.
CTT is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Warisan Harta Sabah Sdn Bhd, an investment arm of the Sabah State Government.