DOHA, Nov 7 — Malaysia intends to propose at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) level that internet coverage measurements should no longer focus solely on the Coverage of Populated Areas (COPA) standard, but should also take into account areas where economic activities take place.

Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said the proposal was being studied following complaints from members of the public and Members of Parliament about internet connectivity problems in locations without residential settlements but which serve as major transportation routes or economic activity centres.

He said the existing approach, which is based on coverage in populated areas, should be reconsidered by taking into account the concept of Coverage of Economic Areas to ensure that connectivity needs in economic areas were also given due attention.

“We want to propose at the ITU level whether it would be appropriate to reconsider the standard from COPA to Coverage of Economic Areas. We want to look beyond whether people live in a particular area and consider whether economic activities are being carried out there,” he said in an interview ahead of the 2026 ITU Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-26) here today.

Fahmi said areas that warranted attention included major roads, railway lines, ports, coastal areas used by fishermen, as well as tourism and recreational destinations.

He said these areas might not have permanent residents but still required good internet access to support economic activities and the movement of people.

“Many have complained about internet connectivity or their network coverage along major routes, roads and places that do not have residents but serve as links between two locations or host economic activities,” he said.

Fahmi said recreational areas such as Taman Negara and the islands in Sabah were also among the locations that warranted consideration in internet coverage planning, as they supported economic activities despite not necessarily being residential areas.

He said the proposal had the potential to broaden the approach to assessing digital connectivity needs, particularly in areas that played an important role in economic activities.

“We see a lot of need to take forward ideas such as this, which have not been discussed so far. So, Malaysia could perhaps be among the first to bring this matter to the ITU level,” he said.

Fahmi is in Doha from November 6 to 11 to lead the Malaysian delegation to ITU PP-26, with the mission of retaining the country’s seat on the ITU Council for the 2027-2030 term.

Malaysia’s participation in the ITU’s highest-level conference, held every four years, also aims to ensure that the country’s voice and interests continue to be represented in discussions on the global direction of telecommunications and information and communications technology (ICT) development.

The move reflects the country’s aspiration to remain actively involved in international strategic discussions, not merely keeping abreast of global technological developments but also contributing to shaping their direction.

Malaysia’s position on the council also provides an opportunity for the country to share its experience and approaches in addressing connectivity challenges, particularly in telecommunications infrastructure development.

Apart from strengthening diplomatic ties, the membership would also enhance Malaysia’s international visibility and reinforce its role in digital cooperation, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.

The ITU is a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN) responsible for information and communications technology (ICT) matters, including standardisation, radio spectrum allocation and coordination of global telephone and satellite connections, as well as efforts to bridge the digital divide worldwide. — Bernama