MELAKA: Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) has chosen Melaka as the pilot state to be covered by the fibre optic network by its subsidiary, Allo Technology Sdn Bhd (Allo), thus expanding the potential of high-speed broadband Internet access (HSBB) up to one gigabit (1 Gbps) per second.
With the construction of the fibre optic infrastructure, the network is able to connect more than 17,000 homes in the state to support the National Digital Network (Jendela).
The areas in the state that have benefited from the facility is Alor Gajah which has connected 8,500 homes, followed by Malim Jaya (4,400 homes), Ayer Keroh (500 homes) and around Jasin (2,500 homes).
TNB chairman Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said the completion of the infrastructure was a follow-up to the HSBB pilot project which was completed in less than three months in 2019, which connected 1,100 homes in Taman Maju, Taman Merbau Perdana and Felda Kemendor.
The provision of the infrastructure indirectly reflects TNB's support in bridging the digital divide in urban and rural areas.
"Congratulations to the people of Melaka and the state leadership for being selected to be the first state to be covered by TNB's fibre optic network," he said.
Mahdzir was speaking at the launching ceremony of the Melaka state-level broadband infrastructure network in support of Jendela, which was officiated by Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sulaiman Md Ali in Melaka, on April 5.
Also present was TNB president and chief executive officer, Datuk Baharin Din.
He added, the fibre optic infrastructure facility opens up opportunities for more Melaka residents to get access to broadband internet at an affordable price and further access to various sources and use of information other than for online education.
The facility also supports the government's intention to improve the living standards of the people through empowerment in the digital economy, especially in the challenging economic environment due to the Covid-19 epidemic.
Meanwhile, Sulaiman said the state government welcomed TNB's efforts through the Allo partnership which showed the government's determination to bridge the digital divide among the people in the country.
He said, through the facility, more than 95 per cent of the nearly one million residents of Melaka who use the Internet every day can gain access quickly, efficiently and effectively to important information.
This also proves that TNB is able to fulfil its commitment to completing the infrastructure for the benefit of the people to enjoy the access of HSBB, even in the current pandemic.
"The existence of this infrastructure is also timely as Melaka was selected among 28 cities in 11 countries as the location for the implementation of the Smart Grid Awareness and Demonstration Project.
"This project requires a city to be equipped with Innovative Information and Communication Technology (ICTI) operated by the Global Environment Facility (GEF6), which is part of the components for the Sustainable City Development Project," he said.
He also stressed that the state government was very committed towards the development of a digital society and a sustainable digital economy for the people of the state.
