KOTA BHARU, February 23- The 5G network service coverage in Kelantan has reached 67 percent in populated areas, with 232 stations completed as of last year.

Deputy Minister of Communications, Teo Nie Ching, said the ministry intends to further expand the 5G internet network in the state so people can do their daily affairs, including business, more efficiently.

"We give priority to urban areas and also populated areas. Not limited to urban areas only, but because urban areas are usually the center of business activities, they are a priority in planning," Teo said.

"However, our intention is to further expand 5G access coverage to all populated areas," she said to reporters after a “Kecek Kiro Kito” segment on KELANTANfm here today.

In addition, she said 152 telecommunications towers under the National Digital Network Plan (JENDELA) have been completed, benefiting more than 1.89 million residents in Kelantan.

Meanwhile, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil previously announced that 5G coverage in populated areas nationwide had reached 82.4 percent as of December 2024.

This development positions Malaysia among the fastest countries in the world in expanding communication access in recent years.

Fahmi also said that 5G penetration among the population had reached 53.35 percent during the same period.

This is nearly a fivefold increase compared to 10.8 percent in October 2023.

On another matter, Teo said Kelantan currently has 75 National Information Dissemination Centers (NADI), with four more centres expected to be fully completed and operational this year.

NADI is an initiative by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) which aims to bridge the digital divide between rural and urban communities.