Fahmi: Johor among priorities as MCMC moves to improve internet coverage with shared networks
BATU PAHAT, July 5 — The Communications Ministry, through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), plans to expand the implementation of the Multi-Operator Core Network (MOCN) nationwide to improve connectivity in areas with limited internet coverage.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the initiative would enable telecommunications companies to collaborate, particularly in extending coverage to rural, remote and underserved areas with weak signal reception.
He said that under the MOCN initiative, telecommunications companies with existing infrastructure in a particular area could share their network with other operators, allowing mobile signals to be transmitted and received more comprehensively.
“At present, the MOCN initiative has been implemented at five locations — two telecommunications towers at Bukit Putus in Negeri Sembilan, and one each at Prima Gambang in Pahang, the Kota Seri Langat Toll Plaza on the West Coast Expressway (WCE) in Banting, Selangor, and Tanjung Asam in Penang.
“In Johor, we are currently identifying several areas for implementation. Based on assessments and studies carried out by the MCMC, areas with limited 4G or 5G coverage are mainly located in rural parts of the state,” he told reporters after the Communications Ministry’s Ziarah Kasih programme at Kampung Parit Maimon here today.
Fahmi said one of the main factors contributing to poor mobile signal reception was that many homes were located in villages and rural areas surrounded or shielded by oil palm trees.
“Johor remains a priority for the ministry and the MCMC as we work towards achieving 100 per cent internet coverage in populated areas,” he said.
