Sarawak’s 5G Expansion Moves Forward as Demanlink Deploys Its First Smart Pole and Custom Tower
Demanlink Connexion Sdn. Bhd. has taken a major step in Sarawak’s digital infrastructure journey with the rollout of the state’s first-ever telecommunications smart pole and its first built-to-suit (B2S) tower — both designed to strengthen 5G coverage in growing urban and transport zones.
The twin deployments, located in Siburan and Bintulu, mark a significant milestone as Sarawak pushes toward its 2030 digital economy ambitions. The projects are part of a broader effort to improve connectivity, especially outside major city centres, where digital access remains uneven.
A Smarter Way to Build 5G
Unlike conventional telco towers, the new smart pole in Taman Impiana, Siburan is built to serve multiple purposes.
It functions as both a streetlight and a 5G-ready telecommunications structure, allowing several mobile network operators (MNOs) to share the same infrastructure. That co-location model reduces duplication, saves urban space, and speeds up deployment for future network expansion.
For residents and commuters in the area, that means stronger and more consistent mobile coverage — especially as 5G traffic demand grows.
The concept reflects a wider trend happening across Asia, where smart poles are increasingly being used as compact digital infrastructure hubs, integrating lighting, surveillance, sensors and telecom equipment into a single structure.
Bintulu Gets Its First Built-to-Suit Tower
At the same time, Demanlink has launched its first B2S telecom tower in Kampung Jepak, Bintulu.
Unlike shared towers built for general use, built-to-suit towers are customised around operator-specific needs, allowing faster deployment and better network optimisation.
The Bintulu site is strategically placed near residential areas, business zones and transport routes — including stretches of the Pan Borneo Highway, one of East Malaysia’s most critical road networks.
That location matters.
Better coverage along highways improves navigation, emergency communication and travel safety — especially in areas where connectivity has historically been inconsistent.
A Big Win for Education Connectivity
One of the more important impacts of the Bintulu deployment is education access.
The tower sits close to six schools and multiple TVET centres, improving internet access for students and teachers who increasingly rely on online learning tools and digital resources.
In rural and semi-urban Sarawak, this remains a critical issue.
According to Malaysia’s communications development plans, improving broadband penetration in underserved areas remains a key pillar of digital inclusion — especially in East Malaysia.
Backed by EdgePoint Infrastructure
Demanlink’s expansion is backed by EdgePoint Infrastructure, one of the region’s major independent telecom infrastructure players.
EdgePoint has been expanding aggressively across Southeast Asia, focusing on telecom towers, in-building coverage systems and smart infrastructure.
This backing gives Demanlink stronger financial and technical support as it scales its footprint across Sarawak.
Recent projects already include in-building 5G coverage deployments at commercial hubs such as One Shell Square in Miri, further expanding its presence beyond traditional tower infrastructure.
Sarawak’s Bigger Digital Goal
Sarawak has been positioning itself as one of Malaysia’s leading digital transformation states, with ambitions spanning smart cities, digital government services, and wider rural internet access.
5G infrastructure is central to that.
As industries like manufacturing, logistics, healthcare and education become increasingly digital, reliable high-speed connectivity becomes less of a convenience and more of a necessity.
For Sarawak, infrastructure players like Demanlink are becoming part of that long-term foundation.
The Bigger Picture
This isn’t just about faster mobile internet.
It’s about how infrastructure is evolving.
Traditional telecom towers are no longer enough for modern digital ecosystems. Smart poles, customised towers and in-building 5G systems represent the next phase of connectivity — smaller, smarter, and faster to deploy.
And for Sarawak, that future is starting to take shape now.
With more deployments already in the pipeline, Demanlink’s latest rollout could be the beginning of a much bigger connectivity expansion across the state.
