SENATE Cellular phone service coverage in Malaysia has reached 98 percent through the construction of 949 telecommunication towers throughout the country until November.

Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Jailani Johari told the Dewan Negara today that the construction of a tower under Project Time 3, which provides broadband coverage, has reached 84 percent.

When answering a question from Chin Su Phin who wanted to know about the telecommunication services in Sabah, Jailani said broadband penetration in Sarah would continue to increase with the completion of an additional 79 telecommunication towers under the project.

“Mobile broadband penetration in Sabah has reached 75 percent in residential areas. Once the construction of an additional 79 telecommunication towers is completed in Sabah, coverage can reach 89 percent,” he said.

Later, speaking to reporters at the Parliament lobby, Jailani said state governments must assist the federal government to expedite the construction of telecommunication towers.

- Bernama