KUCHING, A total of 354 out of 600 Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMART) Rural Telecommunications towers have been operational so far, said Sarawak Utilities and Telecommunications Minister Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Jelajah Saya Digital (JSD) @ Kuching, here today, he said the remaining 246 towers are expected to be operational in the fourth quarter of 2025. "Looking at this effort, the ministry is confident and believes that the people will enjoy faster and wider internet access. "This will improve communication and digital access, especially in remote areas, with the addition of towers that are being built in stages," he said. The text of his speech was read by his deputy, Datuk Liwan Lagang. In May, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil was reported to have said that all the towers that were successfully activated using Multi-Operator Core Network (MOCN) technology involved services provided by CelcomDigi, Maxis, U Mobile and YTL. Julaihi said the initiative wi ll also give positive development to the state's digital and innovation ecosystem involving start-up companies, innovators and local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The two-day JSD programme which entered the 78th edition was organised by the Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) in collaboration with the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC). JSD is a continuation of Kempen Saya Digital which was introduced in 2020 to help improve the digital skills of Malaysians in facing the digital economy. Source: BERNAMA News Agency