KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 — SACOFA Sdn Bhd (SACOFA) has inked definitive agreements with MSA Resources Sdn Bhd (MSAR) to form a strategic alliance and jointly undertake key telecommunications infrastructure projects in Peninsular Malaysia.
The agreements would also allow both companies to focus on extending and enhancing broadband connectivity to neighbouring ASEAN countries such as Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, and Brunei Darussalam.
“The definitive agreements are anticipated to further strengthen Malaysia’s digital telecommunications infrastructure and augur well for the overall growth of telecommunications ecosystem in the country as well as further support the overall national telecommunications roadmap,” according to their joint statement.
Under the agreements signed virtually today, Sarawak information and communications technology infrastructure provider, SACOFA acquired an initial 30 per cent in MSAR, which will eventually be raised to 50 per cent.
MSAR managing director Saiful Husni Samak said the company is currently building a new fibre optic network, stretching 1,063km from Johor Bahru to Bukit Kayu Hitam – one of the longest fibre optic network constructions currently being carried out in Peninsular Malaysia.
“Now, with SACOFA onboard, we will also be better positioned to roll out mobile infrastructure services such as towers and poles for 5G along all major highways in Peninsular Malaysia.
“This new low latency network will serve as a platform for the adoption of future technologies along the highways such as internet of things (IoT), smart highways, autonomous vehicles and more,” he said.
SACOFA managing director and chief executive officer, Mohamed Zaid Zaini said the agreements allowed both companies to work with the federal and state governments to increase the broadband penetration rate.
“It also helps to narrow the digital divide while building the foundation upon which upcoming technology platforms such as 5G and Industrial Revolution 4.0 might be implemented, in line with ongoing government initiatives and undertakings by public-private partnerships, he added.
Credits: BERNAMA