Starlink: 2,800 UiTM students in Kuala Pilah campus get stable internet connection
27 Jul 2023 11:41pm
Starlink’s satellite-based broadband service is now available in Malaysia, following the Prime Minister’s virtual meeting with Elon Musk on July 14
UiTM Assistant Vice Chancellor (Infostructure) Prof Dr Juliana Johari said this was proven by the installation of the first Starlink device at its Kuala Pilah campus today.
Juliana said the satellite internet device can reach speeds of 220 megabits per second (Mbps) up to 250 Mbps to benefit 2,800 students and more than 100 workers on the campus.
"This will provide the opportunity to improve the existing services," she told reporters here today.
Earlier, Minister of Communications and Digital Fahmi Fadzil visited the campus to inspect the Starlink device installation here, today.
Also present were Kuala Pilah Member of Parliament Datuk Adnan Abu Hassan and the Ministry of Communications and Digital (KKD) secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa.
According to Juliana, the Kuala Pilah campus is among the 10 UiTM campuses with below 50 per cent internet access.
Juliana expressed her gratitude to the government for choosing the Kuala Pilah campus to be part of the pilot programme (proof of concept) for the initiative under KKD and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
Meanwhile, a bachelor of science and food technology student Ikhma Wahida Md Nor, 22, said she felt relief as internet access is now wider and faster with the Starlink satellite internet.
Sharing her sentiment is her coursemate Nur Aini Syahirah Anuar, 22, who said the improvement in internet speed at UiTM could make things easier for students who are currently sitting for exams.
"Usually, our exams are done online and the internet access on campus is quite slow and some students have to borrow a friend's mobile hotspot. With Starlink, the internet is very fast and there are no more interruptions when sitting for exams," she said.
Last Sunday, Fahmi announced that UiTM will receive 10 Starlink satellite devices as part of the government's efforts to improve the quality of Internet services at UiTM campuses. - Bernama
