The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) announced plans to construct 77 telecommunications towers along about 50 km of highway stretches across Malaysia identified as having poor mobile coverage [1, 2]. The towers will be built along 10 highways managed by the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM), including the East Coast Expressway 2, West Coast Expressway, Menora Tunnel, and Gua Tempurung on the North-South Expressway [1].

MCMC and LLM signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on July 30, 2026, to strengthen strategic cooperation in developing communications infrastructure along Malaysia’s highway network [1, 3, 2, 4]. The MoU aims to accelerate digital infrastructure alongside physical highway improvements, boosting telecommunications coverage and service quality to support national economic growth [3, 2, 4].

Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said, "MCMC is targeting the construction of 77 new telecommunications towers along 50km of highway stretches identified as having unsatisfactory coverage" [1]. He also noted the importance of cooperation between MCMC and LLM for developing smart highways integrating road and communication infrastructure [1, 2, 4]. He added that future initiatives like Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), data-driven traffic analytics, and the Multi-Lane Fast Flow (MLFF) toll collection system require "comprehensive and reliable infrastructure readiness" [2].

The project will use highway reserve land (Right of Way) to address weak coverage or 'blind spots,' enhancing road safety, convenience, and emergency communications [1, 3, 2, 4]. Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil emphasized the benefits for digital transformation, public safety, economic productivity, and logistics sectors, stating the collaboration reflects the spirit of "Di Mana Ada Jalan, Di Situ Ada Internet (Where There Is a Road, There Is Internet)" [3].

The initiative supports future mobility technologies like MLFF and ITS that need stable and reliable network connectivity [1, 3, 2, 4]. MCMC originally issued a tender on May 15, 2026, to improve internet coverage by constructing towers along selected highways with poor connectivity [1].

Construction of the towers is set to address critical coverage gaps along key highway corridors, with the MoU marking the latest step in Malaysia’s push to integrate communications infrastructure with its physical road network.