JENDELA: Improving Malaysia's digital connectivity

The government, in tabling the 2021 Budget on Nov 6, announced a massive allocation of RM500 million for the government initiative, National Digital Network or Jalinan Digital Negara (JENDELA).

The strong emphasis on digital connectivity in Budget 2021 is extremely crucial in elevating national competitiveness, as information and communications technology (ICT) continues to transform the value creation process while fostering local innovation.

What is JENDELA?

• On August 29, the government announced the formation of JENDELA, a digital infrastructure plan to improve the country’s digital connectivity and set the nation’s foundation for 5G technology.

• JENDELA is developed collectively by the government alongside industry players through the National Digital Infrastructure Laboratory session organized by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) from 13 July to 14 August 2020

• The initiative will be implemented under the 12th Malaysia Plan (2021 to 2025).

JENDELA’S action Plan

JENDELA aims to enhance Malaysians’ experience on seamless connectivity by maximizing 4G infrastructure and technology to extend its coverage and speed nationwide, focusing on customers’ quality experience.

By 2025, JENDELA sets to achieve several goals:

1. 100 per cent of 4G coverage in populated areas
2. 100Mbps speed by adopting 5G
3. Gigabit access to 9 million premises passed
4. A readily accessible Digital Infrastructure map

JENDELA is currently in Phase 1 of its implementation which focuses on expanding the 4G mobile broadband coverage from 91.8 per cent to 96.9 per cent in populated areas.

Mobile broadband speeds would also be improved from 25Mbps to 35Mbps, enabling 7.5 million premises with access to gigabit-speed fixed line broadband.

The government recently allocated RM500 million for the year 2021 to implement the JENDELA initiative to ensure the connectivity of a total of 430 schools throughout Malaysia.

Sabah and Sarawak

According to Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Sabah would be the biggest beneficiary of the JENDELA initiative with an estimated cost of RM2.45 billion

The implementation of the initiative would turn the broadband facilities and services for the people of Sabah to be on par with those provided in other States in Malaysia.

• The people of Sabah will have wider broadband access starting at the end of this year until 2022.

• A total of 382 new towers will be built and 924 communication transmitting devices will be upgraded.

• The fixed line fibre optic coverage will also be expanded to cover 251,166 premises across Sabah.

In Sarawak, 636 new towers are also in the plan and 977 communication transmitting devices will be upgraded.

Commercial service providers will also set up 49 new towers and upgrade 825 communication transmitting devices. Fibre optics will be made available to 43,013 premises.

Why is 5G important?

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) emphasized that 5G is not just about enhanced speeds and connectivity but is an economic driver that can improve the quality of life for many.

5G technologies would open up many possibilities, for example, increasing automation development in industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, banking and agriculture.

According to the Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER), 5G could contribute up to RM12.7 billion to the GDP between 2021 and 2025 and has the potential to create more than 39,000 new jobs with higher income.

A World Bank study also indicated that a 10 per cent increase in fixed broadband penetration can increase a developing nation’s GDP growth by 1.38 per cent.