KUALA LUMPUR, July 29 — A special meeting has been held to discuss efforts to improve telecommunications and Internet coverage on highways, said Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.
The meeting, which also involved Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), and the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM), was held following Internet coverage interruption and dropped calls that highway users often face.
"To date, approximately 50 kilometres of highways have been identified as not receiving telecommunications coverage, including in several sections of the PLUS Expressway, the West Coast Expressway (WCE), and the East Coast Highway 2 (LPT2)," he said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) today.
Nanta added that the meeting also reached several key decisions, including the establishment of a Special LLM-MCMC Task Force to coordinate a comprehensive action plan as well as identify critical drop call locations and examine the need for telecommunications infrastructure installation.
In addition, highway concessionaires will also be mobilised to implement short and long-term solutions, while the regional LLM and state MCMC have been on the ground to conduct site inspections and power supply facilities for the installation of supporting infrastructure.
The minister also proposed that MCMC be directly involved in helping to address frequency disruptions and support the technical requirements for the implementation of the multi-lane free flow (MLFF) system.
“This issue cannot be taken lightly. In an all-digital world, access to the Internet and telecommunications network is no longer a luxury, but a basic necessity, including when on the highway.
“Our commitment is clear, not only to build roads, but also to ensure that the people are always connected smoothly and safely,” he said.
— Bernama
