CYBERJAYA, Malaysia, July 9, 2025 — The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) have joined forces to transform rural connectivity in Sarawak through the ambitious SMART600 Project, a high-impact initiative aimed at fostering inclusive digital access across the state.
The collaboration was formalized today with a signing ceremony at MCMC’s headquarters in Cyberjaya. The agreement was inked by MCMC Chairman Tan Sri Mohamad Salim bin Fateh Din and SDEC Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Ir. Ts. Sudarnoto Osman, marking a significant step toward bridging the digital gap between urban and rural areas.
The SMART600 Project will see the construction of 600 new communication towers across Sarawak in two phases, with 300 towers planned for each phase. These towers will deliver high-quality 4G mobile services to over 1,000 rural locations, benefiting approximately 180,000 residents in areas such as Belaga, Marudi, Sungai Belawai, Kapit, and Sungai Encheremin. The initiative supports daily needs like education, telehealth, digital economy activities, and communication.
To date, 587 towers have been completed, with 431 already operational or “on-air” using advanced Multi-Operator Core Network (MOCN) technology. The remaining towers will be activated in stages. The project also enhances high-speed internet access to support data-intensive applications, including artificial intelligence, video streaming, public services, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Residents will have access to services from up to five Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) under MCMC’s oversight, alongside the Sarawak Rural Broadband Network (MySRBN) managed by the Sarawak government. These services share infrastructure and spectrum through the MOCN framework, ensuring efficiency and wider coverage.
The SMART600 Project aligns with the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030, aiming to boost digital economic activities, uplift socio-economic standards, and ensure no one is left behind. The Sarawak government, through SDEC, will fund the capital expenditure (CAPEX) for tower construction, while MCMC and MNOs, including CelcomDigi, Maxis, U Mobile, and YTL Communications, will cover operational costs (OPEX). This joint funding model ensures long-term sustainability despite geographical and economic challenges.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by SDEC Director Tan Sri Datuk Amar Haji Mohamad Morshidi bin Abdul Ghani, alongside officials from MCMC and SDEC.