KUALA LUMPUR: Edotco Malaysia has partnered with Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and Boost to accelerate Malaysia's digital economy through next-generation digital infrastructure and financial inclusion initiatives.
Edotco and Boost particularly introduced today the "Tower Landowner Credit Access" initiative that should to benefit more than 2,200 individuals and private landowners with existing tenancy agreements with edotco.
Designed to provide substantial financial empowerment and stability through simplified access to cash, the first phase of the collaboration aims to support small and medium enterprises (SME) tower landowners.
This will be expanded to individuals in the coming months under the second phase.
The initiative opens up new avenues for credit access, particularly benefiting those who are unbanked or underbanked.
As for its partnership with MDEC, edotco will be able to offer expert advisory services and preferential rates for next-generation digital infra solutions to Malaysia Digital (MD) status companies in an effort to foster supportive ecosystem and promoting digital growth.
Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo, who attended the signing ceremony, said MDEC's memorandum of understanding (MoU) with edotco will create a fertile ground for Malaysia's digital innovators to accelerate their growth for the benefit of all Malaysians, bridging the urban-rural divide and positioning Malaysia as a leader in the digital age.
"The innovative partnership with Boost introduces the first-of-its-kind 'Tower Landowner Credit Access' initiative, which not only provides financial benefits but also enhances financial literacy for landowners, many of whom are unbanked or underbanked.
"It is closely aligned with the government's goal of promoting digital inclusion and participation, especially in financial services," he added.
Gobind said as of June 2024, 5G rollout had achieved 81.8 per cent coverage in populated areas, with a 43.6 per cent adoption rate of 5G services and 14.8 million subscribers.
"With an impressive portfolio of over 2,000 telecommunications towers, edotco has significantly expedited the nation's 5G rollout by seamlessly upgrading existing 4G towers to support 5G connectivity," he said in his keynote address.
Although 5G networks are available in most urban centres, Gobind underscored that there are still regions within the country with insufficient coverage.
Some states lag behind the national average in 5G accessibility.
"Our next step is to accelerate the deployment across states outside the Klang Valley to ensure equitable connectivity nationwide.
"By doing so, we can bridge the digital divide and provide every Malaysian with the opportunities that robust digital infrastructure offers," he added.
Edotco Group Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Mohamed Adlan Ahmad Tajudin said the company's commitment to bridging the digital divide is further exemplified through the completion of 235 National Digital Network (Jendela) sites to date, with a 100 per cent completed rollout in Kedah, Melaka and Negri Sembilan.
"These efforts have enabled connectivity for previously unconnected and under-connected communities in rural areas, empowering individuals and fostering socioeconomic growth," he said.