PAPAR: Villagers from Kampung Mondikot hope that the free Internet access will help promote the village’s agricultural products to boost their income.

Food vendor Esther Kerintun, 36, noted that the high-speed Internet access could also help promote local tourism in Kampung Mondikot, as well as the villagers’ handcrafted products.

The villagers have been enjoying free high-speed Internet access via the Starlink satellite system since June.

The system was installed as a proof of concept (POC) by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) in collaboration with REDtone, offering speeds of up to 250 Mbps and coverage of about 150m from the installation point.

Farmer Tinus Guntalib, 64, expressed his gratitude for the Internet service, adding that it facilitates official matters and agricultural business transactions that need to be completed online.

“The Internet access also allows the children to study online at home. It’s also easier to market agricultural produce,” he said.

Angellisa Mary Sobiting, a 21-year-old sales assistant, said it is a long-awaited service, and Starlink has greatly facilitated access to news online and social media browsing.

“Now I can access the Internet from home since the coverage reaches my house. I had to travel to town (Papar) just to use the Internet before this,” she told Bernama.

Earlier, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil visited the Starlink POC in the village.

He was accompanied by Sabah’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif, Limbahau assemblyman Datuk Juil Nuatim and Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/09/16/villagers-pin-hopes-on-internet