AS of March 5 this year, Penang has achieved 90.3% of 5G coverage across all populated areas, state Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said.
He said when compared to the deployment of 5G across other major cities in the country, including Klang Valley and other key areas in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, Penang is doing well despite initiating the process slightly later.
“So far, Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), the entity responsible for deploying 5G structures nationwide, has successfully completed 416 5G-related structures.
“This 90.3% coverage certainly surpassed our expectations, and as for the remaining areas that are yet to be covered, works are currently ongoing and we hope to reach 100% as soon as possible,” he said during the Telecommunication Industry Development workshop at The Light Hotel in Seberang Jaya on March 5.
Meanwhile, on the ongoing works to establish monopole transmission towers next to the Penang Bridge, Zairil said about 62% of the works were completed, with the anticipated conclusion by the end of this year.
Spearheaded by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), the RM500 million project, once completed, will be able to generate 2,000 megawatts (MW) of electric supply to the island.
Connecting the Perai Power Station (SJ) Main Inlet Substation (PMU) to the Light PMU in Penang, the project would directly connect the electric supply from the national grid to Penang through an overhead line transmission from the mainland to the island.
Elaborating further, Zairil said as of March 5, three monopole towers out of the total 32 were already up.
“Out of the 32 towers, six will be designed to look like betel nuts, instilling an iconic feel and resembling the state in a special, unique manner,” he added.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi and The Star