ALOR STAR: The Kedah government has set high-speed broadband infrastructure as an additional requirement for property developers in the approval of new development plans in the state.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said the move, decided in the state executive council meeting last week, was part of the initiative to boost the quality of high-speed broadband services in Kedah.
"This is similar to their (developers) obligation to provide a sub-station for Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) and oxidation pond for Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) sites.
"We are imposing a requirement for developers to provide a site to build high-speed broadband infrastructure as an additional requirement in approving development plans for new projects in the state.
"This will help the government and the relevant parties provide better high-speed broadband services to the people," he told reporters in a virtual press conference after the opening of the first meeting of the fifth-term of the Kedah State Assembly, here today.
The meeting was officiated by Sultan of Kedah Sultan Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah.
In his address, Sultan Al Aminul Karim called on the state government to pay attention to providing and developing internet infrastructure to empower the development of a better digital economy ecosystem for Kedah.
The ruler said the application of technology and digital devices should be encouraged to ensure all parties are ready and capable of competing in the digital age.
Meanwhile, Sanusi acknowledged that the digital divide in the state was still prominent as telecommunications companies were focusing more on urban areas with a higher market size as compared to rural areas.
"We admit that the service providers are business entities and in doing business, they prioritise services for areas with higher demand," he said.
Sanusi said the digital divide in Kedah would be resolved with the rolling out of the National Digital Infrastructure Plan's (Jendela) by the federal government.
"Through Jendela, Kedah is slated to receive over 200 new telecommunications towers, mostly to be constructed in rural areas.
"The state government will duly approve the construction of the towers based on based on the terms agreed upon," he said.
As for 5G network in Kedah, Sanusi said many telcos were using street lamp uni-poles to set up the service in the cities.
Sanusi added that the government had also received applications to reactivate existing telecommunications towers in schools as part of the initiative to improve internet services in each locality.
"The project is under the Education Ministry. I learnt that many schools will have these telecommunications towers reactivated soon," he said.