It’s not every day Sarawak’s digital ambitions take centre stage in Barcelona, but at Mobile World Congress 2026, that’s exactly what happened.
At one of the world’s biggest tech gatherings, ZTE Corporation formalised a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with SACOFA Sdn Bhd, marking a significant step toward accelerating Sarawak’s PCDS 2030 and Digital Economy 2030 vision.
Announced during Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona, the collaboration signals more than just a business agreement. It reflects a shared commitment to building inclusive, sustainable, and future-ready connectivity across Sarawak.
Strengthening Sarawak’s Digital Backbone
The partnership focuses on advancing Sarawak’s digital infrastructure through SACOFA’s ongoing state-wide network modernisation initiative — a programme that is currently progressing according to plan and meeting key implementation milestones.
The goal is clear: accelerate broadband access to homes, longhouses, schools, healthcare facilities, and enterprises — particularly in rural and remote communities where traditional fibre deployment can be challenging.
By combining technical expertise and infrastructure capabilities, both parties aim to reinforce Sarawak’s digital backbone while supporting long-term economic growth.
Expanding Connectivity From Cities To Remote Communities
Under the strategic framework, ZTE and SACOFA will explore deploying an integrated suite of next-generation connectivity solutions designed for both urban centres and hard-to-reach areas.
These include:
- Rural Pilot base stations for scalable and efficient coverage expansion
- Advanced fibre access technologies such as GPON and XGS-PON
- High-speed Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) solutions for rapid last-mile connectivity
- Trusted Public Wi-Fi platforms aligned with government security standards
To overcome infrastructure constraints in remote regions, the collaboration will also incorporate hybrid microwave and satellite backhaul architectures, solar and hybrid-powered green energy systems, and intelligent remote monitoring platforms for autonomous operations.
The integrated approach ensures reliable, secure, and sustainable connectivity, while minimising environmental impact.
Supporting PCDS 2030 And Digital Economy 2030
Sarawak’s ambition to become a high-income and digitally advanced state under PCDS 2030 and Sarawak Digital Economy 2030 demands resilient infrastructure and trusted technology partnerships.
Steven Ge, Managing Director of ZTE Malaysia, expressed pride in supporting Sarawak’s digital transformation journey, highlighting the importance of scalable, secure solutions tailored to the state’s diverse geographical landscape.
Meanwhile, Jafer Sadig Abdul Lathiff, CEO of SACOFA, emphasised that forward-looking infrastructure strategies are critical to ensuring inclusive digital access for all Sarawakians.
The strengthened collaboration is expected to accelerate rural connectivity via fibre, FWA, and secure public Wi-Fi platforms, reinforcing SACOFA’s role as Sarawak’s leading telecommunications provider and connectivity hub.
Building A Future-Ready Infrastructure
Beyond connectivity, sustainability remains a key pillar of the partnership announced at Mobile World Congress 2026.
The deployment of solar and hybrid-powered systems reflects a conscious effort to reduce environmental impact while ensuring long-term infrastructure resilience. Intelligent monitoring systems will further enable efficient network operations, particularly in remote locations.
With over 11,000 kilometres of fibre optic cables and more than 1,688 cellular towers already forming its network footprint, SACOFA continues to play a central role in Sarawak’s digital landscape. Through this strengthened partnership, ZTE reinforces its position as a trusted technology partner within Malaysia’s telecommunications sector.
As Mobile World Congress 2026 showcased the future of global connectivity, this collaboration demonstrated how international innovation can translate into tangible local impact, bringing Sarawak one step closer to a connected, inclusive, and digitally empowered future.
