KOTA KINABALU: Telecommunication companies (telcos) are urged to improve their connectivity and quality of services in all aspects, especially in areas with high tourism traffic, says Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
The Communications Minister said telcos must do so in time to welcome the Visit Malaysia 2026.
He said this after a telecommunication coverage quality inspection with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) at several tourism sites in Sandakan, including the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the Rainforest Discovery Centre.
During the inspection, they found that while most areas were well covered, there were several parts like the reception counter and veterinary clinic at the orangutan rehabilitation centre and the lakeside pavilion at the Rainforest Discovery Centre which had poor network connectivity.
“The telcos involved must address this issue immediately as a preparatory measure to welcome Visit Malaysia 2026,” said Fahmi.
Apart from the inspections, a dialogue session was also held to identify collaboration potentials between state-managed tourism players with the Communications Ministry to further boost this industry.
According to the MCMC, a total of 1,257 Mandatory Standards on Quality of Service (MSQoS) tests were conducted nationwide,including 196 locations in Sabah, in the first quarter of this year.
A total of 135 notices were issued from these inspections while for 2023 and 2024, a total of 46 penalties involving a total of RM6.55mil in compounds were issued for failure to comply with the MSQoS.
