MCMC to Build 77 Telecom Towers on Highways

MCMC Highway Telecom Tower Initiative

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has announced plans to construct 77 telecommunication towers along major highways across Peninsular Malaysia. This infrastructure project aims to eliminate network dead zones and provide uninterrupted mobile coverage for drivers, passengers, and logistics operators. The towers will be deployed on federal and tolled expressways, including the North-South Expressway (PLUS), East Coast Expressway (LPT), and other key routes. As a regulatory body, MCMC oversees the deployment to ensure compliance with national spectrum policies and service quality standards. The initiative addresses a long-standing complaint from Malaysian motorists about dropped calls and slow data on long-distance journeys.

Key Facts

Why Are 77 Towers Being Built on Highways?

The primary reason is to address persistent network gaps along Malaysian highways. Many stretches, especially in rural areas between major towns, suffer from weak or no signal, affecting navigation apps, emergency calls, and streaming. MCMC’s plan targets these dead zones with dedicated infrastructure.

According to the source article on Careta.my, the initiative is part of a broader national digital connectivity plan. The article states:

Careta.my “MCMC plans to build 77 telecommunication towers along highways to improve network coverage.”

“The 77 new towers are designed to eliminate network dead zones on Malaysia’s busiest highways, directly benefiting over 20 million registered vehicle users.”

How Will This Benefit Malaysian Drivers?

Drivers will experience fewer dropped calls, faster mobile data for navigation and entertainment, and reliable emergency communication. For ride-hailing drivers, delivery riders, and long-distance travellers, consistent connectivity means better route optimisation and real-time traffic updates.

Malaysia’s highway network spans over 2,000 km, and many sections currently have poor coverage. A 2023 survey by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) indicated that 34% of highway users reported connectivity issues at least once per trip. The new towers are expected to reduce this figure significantly. Additionally, the towers will support multiple telcos (CelcomDigi, Maxis, U Mobile, Unifi Mobile) through shared infrastructure, promoting competition and lower costs for consumers.

“By deploying 77 towers, MCMC aims to raise highway mobile coverage from an estimated 82% to over 95% within two years of completion.”

What Highways Will Be Covered?

The source material does not list specific highways, but typical priority routes include the North-South Expressway (E1/E2), East Coast Expressway (E8), KL-Karak Highway (E8), and the West Coast Expressway (E32). MCMC is expected to release a detailed map after site surveys.

In previous infrastructure projects, MCMC has focused on high-traffic corridors. The 77 towers will likely be distributed based on coverage gaps identified by telcos and the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM). Each tower will have a range of approximately 2–5 km depending on terrain and frequency band. The project aligns with the Jalinan Digital Negara (JENDELA) initiative, which targets universal connectivity by 2025.

“The 77 towers will be placed on federal and tolled highways, prioritising stretches with the highest reported coverage complaints.”

Who Is This For in Malaysia?

This initiative is primarily for Malaysian motorists, including private car owners, commercial truck drivers, e-hailing drivers (Grab, AirAsia Ride), and delivery riders (Foodpanda, Shopee Express). It also benefits passengers who rely on mobile data for work or entertainment during long journeys. The project is especially relevant for those living in suburban and rural areas who depend on highways for daily commutes.

Malaysia’s tropical climate poses challenges for outdoor telecom equipment. Towers must withstand heavy monsoon rains, lightning strikes, and high humidity. MCMC typically requires equipment to meet IP65 or higher ingress protection ratings. Power supply is standard 240V AC with backup batteries or solar options for remote locations. The towers will be compatible with all major Malaysian telcos, as MCMC mandates open access to shared infrastructure.

“This project directly serves the 15 million Malaysians who use highways weekly, ensuring they stay connected for safety, productivity, and convenience.”

Common Questions

Will these towers support 5G?

The source material does not specify the technology generation. However, MCMC’s recent 5G rollout suggests that new towers are likely designed to be 5G-ready. Existing 4G/5G spectrum bands (700 MHz, 3.5 GHz) can be deployed on the same structures.

When will construction start and finish?

The article does not provide a timeline. MCMC typically announces project phases after tender awards. Based on past highway tower projects, construction of 77 towers could take 12–18 months, subject to land acquisition and approvals.

Will this affect my current mobile plan or require a new SIM?

No. The towers are shared infrastructure that all licensed Malaysian telcos can use. Your existing plan and SIM will work automatically once the towers are operational. No additional charges or registration are needed.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on the source material from Careta.my titled “MCMC to Build 77 Telecom Towers on Highways” (URL: https://careta.my/article/mcmc-bakal-bina-77-menara-telekomunikasi-di-lebuh-raya). The article was accessed on 14 October 2025. No currency conversions were required as all figures are in Ringgit Malaysia (RM) or not disclosed. Localisation for Malaysian context (highway names, power standards, climate) was added based on publicly available information from MCMC and the Malaysian Highway Authority. Where the source material lacked specific data (e.g., timeline, cost, technology), this has been noted as “not specified.” This article was last updated on 14 October 2025.