A new telecommunications tower in the Gua Tempurung area of Perak began operations about a month before June 8, 2026, eliminating coverage gaps on the North-South Expressway there [1, 2]. Gua Tempurung had been a major spot for connectivity disruptions, especially over hilly stretches to the north and south [1, 2].
Mohd Azlan Helmi inspected the tower on June 8, 2026, and announced that the coverage issue had been resolved with cooperation from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), Plus Malaysia Berhad, telecommunications service providers, and related agencies [2]. He said, “The issue (coverage disruption) has now been resolved with the cooperation of various parties, including the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), Plus Malaysia Berhad, telecommunications service providers and related agencies.”
He added, “I believe there are no longer any areas with no connectivity at all. The only areas affected now are those with weak coverage due to terrain factors or certain obstacles, but they still have telecommunications connections.” [2]
Gua Tempurung was classified as a hotspot for blind spot connectivity under the Perak State Telecommunications Coverage Issues Monitoring Committee, which was established in 2023 to address such problems [1, 2]. The state government had previously resolved similar issues in the Menora Tunnel area [1, 2].
The committee along with MCMC and other stakeholders will continue to monitor coverage quality along the expressway to ensure standards are met and the needs of highway users fulfilled [1, 2]. Efforts to further improve telecommunications coverage will also focus on busy rest and service areas prone to congestion during holidays, as well as the West Coast Expressway [1, 2].
