KUALA LUMPUR: Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) has identified 10 of its campuses with Internet access below 50 per cent, necessitating the installation of Starlink satellite equipment.
UiTM's deputy vice-chancellor (of infrastructure) Prof Dr Juliana Johari informed Bernama that the next campuses to receive the Starlink equipment are UiTM Tawau and UiTM Samarahan as both campuses currently have almost no internet coverage.
Previously, the initial installation of the Starlink equipment for the university was conducted at UiTM Kuala Pilah as a pilot programme under the initiative of the Communications and Digital Ministry and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
The other campuses in line for installation are located in Shah Alam, Kota Samarahan, Seri Iskandar, Dungun, Kuala Terengganu, Kota Kinabalu, Arau and Permatang Pauh.
However, Juliana stated that this matter is still under further discussion with the MCMC which serves as the installation team for the Starlink equipment at the university.
She mentioned that the reason for this is that UiTM is still seeking the best placement for the satellite dishes to avoid blind spots (areas with no internet access) in these campuses.
"Previously, there were many blind spots due to external factors like the positioning of buildings. We had to install many wireless access points (APs) inside and around the campus blocks to address these blind spot issues," she said.
"However, each piece of equipment is quite expensive, around RM3,000. We estimate that the expenses for this purpose alone would exceed RM100 million," she added.
Juliana stated that the installation of the Starlink equipment is expected to improve overall internet access at the involved campuses. Approximately 200,000 staff and students from these 10 campuses will benefit from the satellite equipment.
On July 23, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil announced that 10 units of the Starlink satellite equipment were provided to UiTM as part of the government's efforts to enhance the quality of internet services at the university's campuses.
He subsequently visited the installation of the equipment at UiTM Kuala Pilah on July 27. --BERNAMA
