The Malaysian government has placed orders for 40 units of Elon Musk’s Starlink Satellite Broadband kits. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has approved the commencement of satellite broadband services in Malaysia. As a solution to their internet problems, 10 Starlink kits will be delivered to University Teknologi Mara (UiTM).
Starlink, a satellite broadband service under SpaceX, uses a constellation of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. It offers download speeds between 25-100Mbps and latency between 25-60ms. With a priority service plan, the expected speed is about 40-220Mbps.
Satellite broadband services are typically deployed in areas where 4G or fibre broadband access is not feasible. However, it is important to note that UiTM campuses, including Kuala Pilah, Seri Iskandar, Tawau, and Samarahan, already have access to fibre broadband coverage. Therefore, the decision to deploy satellite broadband in these locations seems unnecessary. It suggests that the on-site infrastructure of the campuses and the fibre broadband provider’s management should be assessed to address any internet issues.
The Malaysian government has also implemented several multi-billion ringgit projects to improve connectivity in rural and remote areas. These include JENDELA and Point of Presence (PoP). JENDELA Phase 1 has significantly increased the number of fibre passed premises, allowing more Malaysians to access high-speed broadband. TM’s PoP project aims to bring fibre closer to users in rural and remote areas.
Additionally, local satellite players such as MEASAT’s ConnectMe have been actively providing connectivity to unserved rural communities. ConnectMe has enabled satellite internet access in 4,000 locations, including areas without basic road and electricity infrastructure.
It is important to consider these existing initiatives and infrastructure improvements before choosing satellite broadband as a solution. Satellite broadband can be expensive and lacks the same level of unlimited bandwidth performance as fixed fibre broadband.
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