DEPUTY COMMUNICATIONS MINISTER INSPECTS USP WI-FI PROJECT AT USM

NIBONG TEBAL, 3 October 2026 - Deputy Minister of Communications, YB Teo Nie Ching, today paid a working visit to Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), to inspect the implementation of the Universal Service Provision (USP) Wi-Fi Project at public higher education institutions (IPTAs) in Penang.

She said the project was among the efforts undertaken by the Ministry of Communications through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to strengthen digital connectivity at public educational institutions, in line with the growing reliance on digital services for learning and campus life.

She added that enhancing Wi-Fi capacity and quality was important in supporting campus activities, particularly in high-traffic areas such as lecture halls, laboratories, libraries, student centres and residential colleges.

“A total of 822 additional access points under Phase 3 of the IPTA Wi-Fi Project were completed on 18 September 2026, ahead of the original target of 23 September 2026,” she said in a media statement issued in conjunction with the visit.

According to her, 740 of the access points were installed at USM’s Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Engineering Campus, while 41 access points each were installed at USM’s Advanced Medical and Dental Institute (IPPT) in Bertam and USM Bukit Jambul.

The Phase 3 implementation complements the 1,103 access points installed under Phase 2 in July 2025, bringing the total number of operational access points at USM to 1,925 as of 30 September 2026.

Meanwhile, she said additional installation works involving 4,150 access points at USM’s Main Campus were currently underway and targeted for completion by 30 October 2026.

“In Penang, the Wi-Fi expansion initiative involves 32 locations comprising IPTAs as well as institutions under the Malaysian People's Trust (MARA) and the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA), with 24 locations, or 75 per cent, completed as of 29 September 2026,” she said.

She said the project involved an estimated investment of RM61.5 million through the USP, while at the national level, the Wi-Fi project covered 538 locations with a total estimated investment of approximately RM634.1 million.

“A total of 408 locations, or 76 per cent, had been completed as of 30 September 2026, while implementation at the remaining locations is ongoing,” she said.

She also emphasised that the Ministry of Communications and MCMC would continue to work with the Ministry of Higher Education, educational institutions and service providers to expand quality Internet connectivity in stages.

According to her, investments through the USP were expected to directly benefit students, educators and the wider education community by providing more stable and faster Internet connectivity, while supporting human capital development and economic growth.

Also present were YB H'ng Mooi Lye, Penang State Executive Councillor for Local Government and Town and Country Planning; YB Heng Lee Lee, State Legislative Assembly Member (ADUN) for Berapit; YB Wong Yuee Harng, ADUN for Pengkalan Kota; Professor Ir. Dr. Nor Ashidi Mat Isa, Chief Digital Officer (CDO) and Director of USM Digital Transformation Centre; MCMC Northern Region Senior Director, Izani Othman; and Selangor Industrial Corporation Sdn. Bhd. (SIC) General Manager, Fauzan Mohd Elham.

Text: Siti Faizah Abd Halim / Photo: Najmi Haikal Nadzaruddin