Editing Sabah (section)

=== Telecommunication and broadcasting ===
[[File:Lahad-Datu Sabah Panoramic-view-from-Tower-of-Heaven-01a.jpg|thumb|upright|Telecommunication towers atop Mount Silam facing [[Darvel Bay]] of Lahad Datu.]]
Telecommunication in Sabah and Sarawak were originally administered by Posts and Telecommunication Department until 1967,<ref name="telecom">{{cite web |url=http://studentsrepo.um.edu.my/983/3/CHAPT2.pdf |title=Chapter 2: An Overview of the Telecommunications Industry in Malaysia |publisher=University of Malaya |access-date=2 July 2016 |page=2/21 (7) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160702120800/http://studentsrepo.um.edu.my/983/3/CHAPT2.pdf |archive-date=2 July 2016 }}</ref> and maintained by the British [[Cable & Wireless Communications]] before all telecommunications management in the state been takeover by Peninsular-based company.<ref name="changing role">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1309&dat=19970517&id=6PxOAAAAIBAJ&pg=5076,2413004 |title=Changing role of the Telecoms Department |newspaper=New Straits Times |date=17 May 1997 |access-date=2 September 2016}}</ref> The British telecommunication company have establish a [[submarine communications cable|submarine cable]] that linking Kota Kinabalu with Singapore and [[British Hong Kong|Hong Kong]].<ref name="changing role"/> Following the expansion of the Peninsular-based company on 1 January 1968, Sabah Posts and Telecommunication Department was merged with the Peninsular telecommunication department to form Telecommunications Department Malaysia. All operations under Telecommunications Department Malaysia was then transferred to Syarikat [[Telekom Malaysia]] Berhad (STM) which become a public listed company in 1991 with the federal government retained a majority shareholding.<ref name="telecom"/> There are also other telecommunication companies operating in the state although only providing cellular phone facilities. In 2006, the state has the lowest Direct Exchange Line (DEL) penetration rate, with cellular and internet dial-up penetrations rate only 6.5 per 100 inhabitants.<ref name="infrastructure"/> Most residents from the low income groups would rather use mobile phones internet or use internet at their offices instead of setting up internet access at home due to the expensive cost and slow services.<ref name="infrastructure"/> Until the end of 2014, there were only 934 telecommunication hotspots in Sabah.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2015/07/31/salleh-has-work-cut-out-for-him/ |title=Sabah and Sarawak likely to get more for telecommunications and broadcasting |author=B.K. Sidhu |work=The Star |date=31 July 2015 |access-date=3 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160702210709/http://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2015/07/31/salleh-has-work-cut-out-for-him/ |archive-date=2 July 2016 }}</ref> Due to this, the government are working to increase the penetration and capability of internet connection as well to bridge the gap between Sabah and the Peninsular.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=93807 |title=Positive steps to increase Internet penetration: Pang |newspaper=Daily Express |date=22 November 2014 |access-date=3 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160702205823/http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=93807 |archive-date=2 July 2016 }}</ref> From 2016, [[Unifi (internet service provider)|Unifi]] [[optical fibre|fibre optic]] coverage began to expand to other towns aside from the main city and major towns,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pressreader.com/malaysia/the-borneo-post-sabah/20160329/282565902274773|title=TM to expand UniFi coverage in Sabah|author=Chok Sim Yee|work=The Borneo Post|via=[[PressReader]]|date=29 March 2016|access-date=20 February 2018}}</ref> alongside [[Celcom]] and [[Maxis Communications|Maxis]] by the following year with a speed up to 100&nbsp;[[Mbit/s]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2017/09/09/fast-and-stable-internet-connection-maxis-unveils-fibre-coverage-with-unlimited-data-and-calls-for-s/|title=Fast and stable Internet connection|author=Stephanie Lee|work=The Star|date=9 September 2017|access-date=20 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220113911/https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2017/09/09/fast-and-stable-internet-connection-maxis-unveils-fibre-coverage-with-unlimited-data-and-calls-for-s/|archive-date=20 February 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.malaysianwireless.com/2017/09/celcom-fibre-sabah/|title=Celcom Fibre service now available in Sabah, up to 100Mbps|publisher=Malaysian Wireless|date=22 September 2017|access-date=20 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220113213/https://www.malaysianwireless.com/2017/09/celcom-fibre-sabah/|archive-date=20 February 2018}}</ref> In 2019, [[Digi Telecommunications|Digi]] launches its home fibre broadband in Sabah with speed up to 1&nbsp;[[Gbit/s]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.soyacincau.com/2019/09/06/digi-home-fibre-broadband-sabah-launch/|title=Digi launches Home Fibre Broadband in Sabah, up to 1Gbps|author=Alexander Wong|publisher=SoyaCincau|date=6 September 2019|access-date=30 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030054744/https://www.soyacincau.com/2019/09/06/digi-home-fibre-broadband-sabah-launch/|archive-date=30 October 2019}}</ref> The mobile telecommunications in Sabah are mostly use [[4G]] and [[3G]] and there is also a free rural [[Wi-Fi]] services provided by the federal government known as the ''Kampung Tanpa Wayar [[1Malaysia]]'' (KTW) although Malaysia's government-provided public internet speeds are among the slower than many other countries.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.skmm.gov.my/media/press-clippings/coverage-not-reason-for-sabah%E2%80%99s-low-broadband-pene |title=Coverage not reason for Sabah's low broadband penetration |work=The Borneo Post |publisher=[[Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission]] |date=14 September 2012 |access-date=3 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912034227/https://www.skmm.gov.my/media/press-clippings/coverage-not-reason-for-sabah%E2%80%99s-low-broadband-pene |archive-date=12 September 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://etp.pemandu.gov.my/annualreport2013/upload/ENG/11_NKEA09_ENG_CCI.pdf |title=Communications Content & Infrastructure |publisher=Economic Transformation Programme |year=2013 |access-date=3 July 2016 |page=194 (15/20) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160702213103/http://etp.pemandu.gov.my/annualreport2013/upload/ENG/11_NKEA09_ENG_CCI.pdf |archive-date=2 July 2016 }}</ref>

[[File:Radio stations advertisement in KK, Sabah.jpg|thumb|left|The advertisement of Peninsular-based radio stations: [[Era FM]], [[My FM]] and [[Hitz FM (Malaysia)|Hitz FM]] in a building, showing the radios had set up their offices in the capital city of Sabah.]]
The previous state internet traffic are routed through a hub in Malaysia's capital of Kuala Lumpur, passing through a submarine cable connecting the Peninsular with Kota Kinabalu. The systems are considered as costly and inefficient especially due to the price of leasing [[bandwidth (computing)|bandwidth]] with the large distance.<ref name="Group"/> In 2000, there is a plan to establish Sabah own internet hub but the plan was unreachable due to the high cost and low usage rates in the state. Other alternative plan including using the Brunei internet [[gateway (telecommunications)|gateway]] in a short term before establishing Sabah own gateway.<ref name="Group"/> By 2016, the federal government has start to establish the first internet gateway for East Malaysia with the laying of 60 [[terabyte]] submarine cable which are developed by a private company named Xiddig Cellular Communications Sdn. Bhd. at a cost of about RM850 million through the [[Private finance initiative|Private Funding Initiative]] (PFI).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/dpm-launches-east-malaysia-international-internet-gateway-project |title=DPM launches East Malaysia International Internet Gateway project |work=Bernama |publisher=The Malay Mail |date=23 July 2016 |access-date=17 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816193841/http://m.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/dpm-launches-east-malaysia-international-internet-gateway-project |archive-date=16 August 2016 }}</ref> Under the 2015 Malaysian Budget project of 1Malaysia Cable System Project (SKR1M), a new submarine cable for high speed internet has been built from Kota Kinabalu to [[Pahang]] in the Peninsular which completed in 2017.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=104819 |title=Undersea stations to turn Sabah into telecom hub |newspaper=Daily Express |date=27 November 2015 |access-date=9 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160709041323/http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=104819 |archive-date=9 July 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2017/06/23/tm-sabah-to-install-additional-30000-home-passes-for-unifi-service-2/|title=TM Sabah to install additional 30,000 'home passes' for Unifi service|work=Bernama|publisher=The Borneo Post|date=23 June 2017|access-date=22 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022162504/http://www.theborneopost.com/2017/06/23/tm-sabah-to-install-additional-30000-home-passes-for-unifi-service-2/|archive-date=22 October 2017}}</ref> The 1Malaysia submarine cable system linking the state capital with [[Miri, Malaysia|Miri]], [[Bintulu]] and [[Kuching]] in Sarawak together with [[Mersing]] in Johor with an increase of bandwidth capacity up to 12 [[terabyte per second]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2016/08/15/faster-cheaper-internet-access-soon/ |title=Faster, cheaper Internet access in the pipeline |author=Ruben Sario |work=The Star |date=15 August 2016 |access-date=17 August 2016}}</ref> Another submarine cable, the BIMP-EAGA Submarine and Terrestrial (BEST) Cable Project is currently being built from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau to connecting Sabah with Brunei, Kalimantan and Mindanao which will be completed in 2018.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Economy&title=bimp-eaga-cable-project-to-improve-internet-in-armm&id=113280 |title=BIMP-EAGA cable project to improve Internet in ARMM |author=Carmencita A. Carillo |newspaper=[[BusinessWorld]] |date=12 August 2015 |access-date=9 July 2016 |archive-date=20 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920043923/http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Economy&title=bimp-eaga-cable-project-to-improve-internet-in-armm&id=113280 }}</ref> In early 2016, a [[Memorandum of Understanding]] (MoU) was signed between the state government and China's largest networking company, [[Huawei]] to set Sabah to become [[information and communications technology]] (ICT) hub by leveraging on Huawei's ICT expertise.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2016/03/07/sabah-set-to-be-regional-ict-hub-with-telco-deal/ |title=Sabah set to be regional ICT hub with telco deal |work=The Star |date=7 March 2016 |access-date=3 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160702222153/http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2016/03/07/sabah-set-to-be-regional-ict-hub-with-telco-deal/ |archive-date=2 July 2016 }}</ref> More free high speed Wi-Fi hotspots are being planned in Sabah, especially to the state capital.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/05/145630/mcmc-proposes-free-wifi-kota-kinabalu |title=MCMC proposes free WiFi for Kota Kinabalu |work=Bernama |publisher=New Straits Times |date=14 May 2016 |access-date=3 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160702224440/http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/05/145630/mcmc-proposes-free-wifi-kota-kinabalu |archive-date=2 July 2016 }}</ref>

[[File:KotaKinabalu Sabah Broadcasting-Complex-02.jpg|thumb|right|The building of Ministry of Communications and Multimedia Integrated Complex in [[Donggongon]] - the main office of Sabah RTM.]]

Sabah launched its radio service on 9 November 1955, which became a part of Radio Malaysia when it joined Malaysia in 1963 and later part of the bigger [[Radio Televisyen Malaysia]] (RTM) in 1969, when the nation's radio and television operations merged.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rtmsabah.gov.my/sejarah.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090119072720/http://rtmsabah.gov.my/sejarah.htm|title=rtmkk|website=rtmsabah.gov.my|archive-date=19 January 2009}}</ref> On 28 December 1971, RTM launched a third TV station solely for Sabah. But following the construction of earth satellite station near [[Kuantan]], [[Pahang]] and [[Kinarut]] for communications and television broadcast via the [[Intelsat|Indian Ocean Intelsat III satellite]] and the introduction of TV1 on 30 August 1975 and TV2 on 31 August 1983 in the state, it ceased to air by mid-1985. RTM has four branches in the state - a main office in capital city Kota Kinabalu and three other offices in Keningau, Sandakan and Tawau. The main office produces news and shows for RTM's television channels and operates two state radio channels, namely Sabah FM and Sabah V FM, whereas three other offices operate district radio channels such as Keningau FM, Sandakan FM and Tawau FM.

Other radio channels in the state include KK FM which is operated by [[Universiti Malaysia Sabah]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ums.edu.my/kkfm/index.php/pengenalan |title=KKFM 91.1&nbsp;MHz (Pengenalan) |trans-title=KKFM 91.1&nbsp;MHz (Introduction) |language=ms |publisher=Universiti Malaysia Sabah |access-date=3 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160702231050/http://www.ums.edu.my/kkfm/index.php/pengenalan |archive-date=2 July 2016 }}</ref> and Bayu FM which is only available through [[Astro (Malaysian satellite television)|Astro]], the Malaysian main satellite television.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.astro.com.my/whats-on/channel/bayu-fm/32 |title=Bayu FM |publisher=Astro |access-date=3 July 2016 |archive-date=11 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160711175023/http://www.astro.com.my/whats-on/channel/bayu-fm/32 }}</ref> Several newly independent radio station have recently been launched in the state, namely [[Kupi-Kupi FM]] in 2016,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kupikupifm.my/official-launch-of-kupikupi-fm-96-3/|title=Official Launch of Kupikupi FM 96.3|publisher=[[Kupi-Kupi FM]]|access-date=3 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160702232604/http://kupikupifm.my/official-launch-of-kupikupi-fm-96-3/|archive-date=2 July 2016|date=28 January 2016}}</ref> [[KK12FM]] and [[VOKFM]] in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://kk12fm.com/|title=KK12FM|publisher=[[KK12FM]]|access-date=22 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vokfmsabah.com/|title=VOKFM|publisher=[[VOKFM]]|access-date=22 October 2017|archive-date=19 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019111611/http://www.vokfmsabah.com/}}</ref> Other Peninsular-based radio stations also had set up their offices in the state to tap the emerging market. Sabahan DJs are mostly hired and local state songs will be played to meet Sabahan listeners taste and slang. Television broadcasting in the state is divided into [[terrestrial television|terrestrial]] and satellite television. As Malaysia aims for [[digital television transition]], all [[analog television|analogue signal]] will be shut down soon.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2016/01/08/digital-television-broadcasting-now-a-trend-necessity-expert/ |title=Digital television broadcasting now a trend, necessity – Expert |work=Bernama |publisher=The Borneo Post |date=8 January 2016 |access-date=5 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160704160201/http://www.theborneopost.com/2016/01/08/digital-television-broadcasting-now-a-trend-necessity-expert/ |archive-date=4 July 2016 }}</ref> There are two types of [[free-to-air]] television provider such as [[MYTV Broadcasting]] (digital terrestrial) and [[Astro NJOI]] (satellite). On the other hand, [[IPTV]] is available via the [[Unifi TV]] through Unifi fibre optic internet subscription.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2017/06/22/tm-sabah-to-install-additional-30000-home-passes-for-unifi-service/ |title=TM Sabah to install additional 30,000 'home passes' for UniFi service |work=Bernama |publisher=The Borneo Post |date=22 June 2017 |access-date=12 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912033902/http://www.theborneopost.com/2017/06/22/tm-sabah-to-install-additional-30000-home-passes-for-unifi-service/ |archive-date=12 September 2018 }}</ref> The state first established newspaper is the Sabah Times (rebranded as the [[New Sabah Times]]), founded by Fuad Stephens, who became the first Chief Minister of Sabah.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/profile |title=History of "Sabah Times" |publisher=New Sabah Times |access-date=3 July 2016 |archive-date=29 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529064451/http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/profile }}</ref> Other main newspapers include the independent [[Daily Express (Malaysia)|Daily Express]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://dailyexpress.com.my/about.cfm |title=About Us |newspaper=Daily Express |access-date=3 July 2016}}</ref> [[Overseas Chinese Daily News]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ocdn.com.my/ |script-title=zh:「华侨日报」 | language = zh-hans |publisher=Overseas Chinese Daily News |access-date=3 July 2016}}</ref> the Sarawak-based [[The Borneo Post]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/news/sabah/ |title=Sabah News Section |newspaper=The Borneo Post |access-date=3 July 2016}}</ref> the Peninsular-based [[Sin Chew Daily]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sinchew.com.my/ |title=Home |language=zh |publisher=Sin Chew Daily |access-date=3 July 2016}}</ref> and the Brunei-based [[Borneo Bulletin]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://borneobulletin.com.bn/ |title=The Independent Newspaper in Brunei Darussalam, Sabah and Sarawak |publisher=Borneo Bulletin |access-date=3 July 2016}}</ref>