Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil has criticised telecommunications companies over slow action on poor mobile and internet coverage in rural communities, arguing that operators already have enough network data to identify problem areas and should be responding more quickly.
His remarks followed a visit to Kampung Parit Jepon in Bukit Naning, Johor, where residents have raised concerns about weak or unreliable mobile coverage despite the presence of nearby telecommunications infrastructure.
For communities affected by poor connectivity, the issue goes beyond being unable to stream videos or browse social media. Unstable coverage can affect online learning, digital payments, communication during emergencies, access to government services and the ability of small businesses to operate efficiently.
Coverage Data Must Lead to Real Improvements
Fahmi said both the government and telecommunications companies have access to information showing where coverage gaps exist. However, he questioned whether the data is being used effectively enough to improve services for residents.
He compared the slow resolution of network complaints with older mobile-network speeds, suggesting that the response from some providers does not match public expectations in the 5G era.
The criticism highlights a familiar frustration for many Malaysians living outside major urban centres. A location may technically be listed as covered, yet users can still face dropped calls, weak indoor signals, slow mobile data or inconsistent service depending on weather, terrain and network congestion.
Coverage maps can show broad availability, but day-to-day user experience is often shaped by local conditions.
A Tower Nearby Does Not Always Mean Reliable Signal
During the visit, Fahmi was accompanied by Johor MCMC director Syed Isa Shekh Alsagoff to inspect the situation directly after receiving complaints from local residents.
Although a telecommunications tower already serves the wider Bukit Naning area, the signal reportedly does not adequately reach Kampung Parit Jepon and nearby locations.
The issue is partly linked to local geography and surrounding land use. Extensive oil palm and pineapple plantations, along with the area's terrain, can weaken or obstruct mobile signals. This means that a tower located nearby may not always deliver the level of coverage residents expect.
MCMC is expected to issue notices to the relevant telcos to carry out network optimisation work. The ministry is also considering whether additional towers may be needed for areas around Batu 14, Batu 15 and Batu 16.
Telco CEOs Asked to "Turun Padang"
Fahmi said telecommunications chief executive officers should join future site visits so they can see coverage problems first-hand rather than relying only on reports, dashboards and technical data.
This reflects a broader push for decision-makers to better understand how infrastructure issues affect ordinary users on the ground.
For residents, poor connectivity is not an abstract technical issue. It can mean walking outside the house to make a call, losing internet access during bad weather, struggling to attend online classes or being unable to complete simple digital transactions.
The minister's visit was also linked to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's direction for ministers to assess problems directly in local communities.
Connectivity Gaps Are Not Limited to Rural Villages
While rural areas remain a major concern, Fahmi noted that connectivity issues can also affect rapidly developing locations that have not kept pace with planned network upgrades.
New housing areas, industrial sites and expanding townships may experience demand that grows faster than available telecommunications infrastructure. In such cases, residents may live near urban centres but still face poor mobile data quality or unreliable indoor coverage.
This is where coordination between telcos, developers, local authorities and regulators becomes important. Faster rollout approvals, infrastructure sharing and network planning can help reduce the gap between population growth and service availability.
Malaysia Still Targets Full Coverage by 2027
Separately, the Ministry of Communications says Malaysia remains on track to achieve 100% internet coverage in populated areas by 2027 under the National Digital Connectivity Plan, better known as JENDELA.
According to Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah, broadband coverage in populated areas had reached 99.71% as of 31 December last year. Before JENDELA, national internet access was estimated at around 90%.
The current phase of the programme focuses on expanding 4G coverage while strengthening 5G services. The government and MCMC are also continuing efforts to encourage infrastructure sharing among telecommunications companies, particularly in rural and interior areas.
Sharing towers, fibre infrastructure and other network resources can reduce duplication, lower deployment costs and speed up service improvements where building separate infrastructure may not be commercially attractive for every operator.
Final Thoughts
Malaysia has made major progress in expanding internet access, but headline coverage figures do not always reflect the experience of people living in areas with weak or inconsistent signals.
Fahmi's call for faster action places more pressure on telcos to turn available network data into practical improvements for affected communities. The challenge now is not only reaching coverage targets on paper, but ensuring Malaysians can access reliable connectivity where they live, work, study and travel.
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