The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will expand its wireless broadband services in Sabah by 30 percent, particularly in the rural areas.

NONEMCMC Sabah and Labuan regional director Ahmad Nor Hisham Mohd Yusof said that currently only 12 percent of the areas in Sabah received wireless broadband coverage.

"By the end of next year, we hope the wireless broadband coverage in Sabah will be increased by 30 percent, with emphasis on the rural areas," he said at a 'get-to-know' gathering between the telecommunication companies in Sabah and the staff of the Information, Communications and Culture Ministry in Sandakan today.

He said, to encourage the population in the rural areas to use the wireless broadband, MCMC had built a broadband community centre in all districts.

Ahmad Nor Hisham said another major project implemented was to expand the cellular service in Sabah to 85 percent.

He said currently 75 percent of the areas in the state had received cellular service through the implementation of Time 1, Time 2 and Time 3 projects.

He added that the Time 4 project was implemented beginning this year until next year, which would involve the construction of 300 new towers in the rural areas, islands and along the main roads.

- Bernama