KOTA TINGGI: The Communications and Multimedia Ministry (KKMM) will set up 618 fibre optic network hubs or points of presence (PoP) in Johor this year to increase access to fast speed internet in rural areas, said its minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa today.

He said out of the figure, 31 PoP would be set up in school areas in Kota Tinggi and 13 PoP in the Johor Lama state assembly constituency involving Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Johor Kampung, SK Panchor, SK Datuk Ismail Saadon, SK Muzafar Shah, and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Air Tawar, among others.

"It is part of the MyDigital initiative, to provide fast internet connection in rural areas.

"Currently we have issued a tender, which will close on March 2 or 3 for phase two to involve more schools including universities and so on," he told reporters after launching the Keluarga Malaysia (Malaysian Family) Digital Economy Centre (PEDi) in Felda Pasak here.

Through the National Digital Network (JENDELA) initiative, he said, the 4G internet coverage rate in Kota Tinggi had increased to 96.56 per cent until the fourth quarter of last year and is expected to jump to 97.62 per cent by the end of this year.

He said under the initiative a total of RM 65.29 million was allocated for the fourth quarter of 2020 until the end of this year for Kota Tinggi.

Meanwhile, Annuar said 87 PEDi have been operating throughout Johor so far with two in Kota Tinggi, adding that 14 new centres will be built.

"It is in line with the government's recommendation of setting up one PEDi in every state constituency," he added.

-- BERNAMA