Kuala lumpur: The Melaka government, through Koridor Utiliti Melaka (KUM) Sdn Bhd, aims to build 1,000 shared fibre poles across the state by the end of this year. Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh stated that the telecommunications infrastructure development is anticipated to cover over 5,000 residential premises, benefiting around 20,000 residents in the affected areas.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the shared fibre poles, the first of their kind in Malaysia, will position Melaka as a pioneer in integrated telecommunications infrastructure development. This initiative aligns with the state's digital transformation agenda under the Melaka Sayang Rakyat (MeSRa) aspiration. Chief Minister Ab Rauf emphasized that telecommunications service providers will no longer need to construct their own poles. Instead, a single infrastructure can be shared, utilizing space more efficiently and reducing the duplication of poles and cables. This approach is expected to expedite fibre network expansion and minimize disruption to residents.
At the launch of KUM Sdn Bhd's Shared Fibre Pole project in Taman Perling Impian, Simpang Ampat, Datuk Hameed Mytheen Kunju Basheer, chairman of the Melaka Public Works, Infrastructure, Public Amenities and Transport Committee, and KUM Sdn Bhd CEO Ismael Hamdan were present. Ab Rauf highlighted that this initiative would transform the state's telecommunications infrastructure landscape. Melaka will be the first state in Malaysia to introduce standard operating procedures or regulations for shared fibre poles.
The shared fibre poles have been installed at the new housing development of Taman Perling Impian, Simpang Ampat, as a pilot project for the telecommunications infrastructure initiative. The first phase is expected to be completed by the end of August this year and will become operational in the fourth quarter. This infrastructure will benefit 315 residential premises, involving an estimated 1,260 residents. The shared fibre poles will be utilized by four telecommunications service providers to install their respective fibre networks.
Ab Rauf added that the shared fibre poles would also be gradually rolled out in existing residential areas, allowing more residents to enjoy the benefits. Currently, 74 telecommunications towers are fully operational in Melaka, with an additional 13 towers in the coordination stage before activation. The state has achieved 100 per cent 4G coverage in populated areas through consistent implementation efforts, while 5G coverage has reached 89.9 per cent.