MERANG: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has assured that remedial measures will be undertaken to address the poor telecommunications connection in Pulau Lang Tengah, Terengganu.
An MCMC strategic communications spokeswoman told NSTP that the Communications and Multimedia Ministry had directed it to undertake appropriate action as soon as possible.
“As such, a budget has been allocated to upgrade the telecommunication system from the lower-strength 2G/3G to the 4G LTE facility at the sole communication tower on the island.
“We expect work to be completed by the year’s end,” she said.
The spokeswoman added that the MCMC will be working with the telecommunication companies involved to carry out the task.
NSTP learnt that the systems upgrade will come to the tune of an estimated RM400,000.
It also learnt that Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo had personally initiated the move so that Terengganu’s thriving tourism industry on its idyllic islands in the South China Sea is not disrupted.
A telecommunication industry expert told NSTP that LTE referred to ‘Long-Term Evolution’, which was a standard for high-speed wireless communication for mobile devices and data terminals, based on the GSM/EDGE (global system for mobile communication/enhanced data rates for global evolution) and UMTS/HSPA (universal mobile telecommunication service/high speed packet access) technologies.
“It increases the capacity and speed using a different radio interface together with core network improvements.
“Thus, 4G LTE means ‘fourth-generation long term evolution,” with LTE being a type of 4G that delivers up to ten times mobile Internet connection than 3G,” said the industry expert.
The MCMC’s response comes three weeks after resort owners and tour operators on the island reported about poor telecommunications facilities on the island.
They claimed that the Internet, WhatsApp, E-mail and other online systems were working at a snail’s pace, and at times, not functioned at all.
They said the situation was so bad that it was threatening the tourism industry, not only for the state, but also the country as Terengganu was famous for its idyllic islands.
In response, Chong Fah Ming, operator of the four-star Summer Bay Resort Lang Island, thanked MCMC and the ministry for their speedy response.
“This is the sort of ‘lightning-quick’ action the whole country needs to move progressively ahead.
“It shows that the new Pakatan Harapan government has the people’s heart in mind, especially those involved in the tourism industry.
“Syabas and kudos to them!” said Chong.
Last month, Chong had strongly voiced his displeasure at the poor telecommunication connection and feared the problem would discourage tourists to come.
He said the resort was fully-booked almost year-round, with the exception of the monsoon season, giving Terengganu much-needed tourism revenue and providing plenty of jobs.
About 12,000 tourists come to the resort annually, mainly from China, Europe and Southeast Asia and the number was rising with ‘Visit Beautiful Terengganu Year’ in high gear.
Chong had also hit out at the wanting telecommunications connection which created a negative image of the country, especially in the era of information and communications technology (ICT).
He had said that many of his resort’s patrons were upset as they could not connect, communicate, work and attend to personal matters.
Chong had also raised the matter with Terengganu Tourism, Culture and Information Technology Committee chairman Ariffin Deraman who forwarded the complaint to telecommunications companies Telekom, Celcom, DiGi and Maxis.
Ariffin said a private company, OCK Group, had been commissioned by MCMC to erect and manage the tower.
An OCK spokesman said the company was commissioned by MCMC two years ago to install the telecommunications tower’s 2G and 3G network facilities, as well as maintain the tower.
He said OCK was aware of the situation and service interruptions, which could be the result of the microwave transmission being affected by waves and adverse weather as the island was far from the mainland.
