Melaka aims to build 1,000 shared fiber poles covering 5,000 homes by the end of the year, benefiting 20,000 residents.
elephant line: The Melaka government, through Corridor Utility Melaka (KUM) Sdn Bhd, aims to build 1,000 shared fiber poles across the state by the end of this year.
Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said the telecommunications infrastructure development is expected to cover more than 5,000 residential complexes and benefit about 20,000 residents.
He said the shared fiber pole, the first of its kind in Malaysia, will position Melaka as the country’s leader in integrated telecommunications infrastructure development, while strengthening the state’s digital transformation agenda in line with the aspiration of the Melaka Sayang Rakyat (MeSRa).
“With the construction of these shared fiber poles, telecommunication service providers will no longer need to build their own poles. Instead, the same infrastructure can be shared through more efficient use of space and better planning. This initiative will accelerate the expansion of the fiber network and reduce disruption to residents as well as reduce duplication of poles and cables,” he said after the launch of KUM’s shared fiber pole project here today at Taman Perling Impian, Simpang Ampat. I told reporters.
Melaka Public Works, Infrastructure, Public Facilities and Transport Committee chairman Datuk Hamid Mythen Kunju Bashir and KUM chief executive Ismail Hamdan were also present.
Now Rauf said this approach will not only change the landscape of the state’s telecommunications infrastructure, but will also make Melaka the first state to introduce standard operating procedures or regulations for shared fiber poles.
He said the shared fiber poles have so far been installed in new housing developments in Taman Perling Impian, Simpang Ampat as a pilot project. The first phase is expected to be completed by the end of August before being commissioned in the fourth quarter, and the infrastructure will benefit 315 residential complexes with an estimated 1,260 residents.
“I am told that the shared fiber pole will be used by the four telecom service providers to set up their respective fiber networks,” he said.
He said that shared fiber poles will not only be developed in new housing areas but will also be gradually installed in existing residential areas.
Meanwhile, he said 74 telecommunication towers in Melaka are now fully operational, while another 13 towers are in the coordination stage before being activated. Melaka achieved 100% 4G coverage in populated areas, while 5G coverage reached 89.9%.
