If your Kampung still has weak Internet coverage, two Malaysian government initiatives are worth knowing: JENDELA improves the connectivity infrastructure, while NADI provides a physical place for communities to access Internet and digital services.

They solve different problems.

What Is JENDELA?

JENDELA (Jalinan Digital Negara) is Malaysia's national digital infrastructure initiative designed to improve fixed and mobile broadband coverage and quality.

It is not a consumer broadband package. Instead, JENDELA works on the infrastructure needed to expand connectivity, including fibre deployment, mobile coverage improvements and wireless solutions for rural and remote areas.

JENDELA Phase 1 included targets to expand fibre connectivity, upgrade existing mobile sites, build new 4G sites and deploy satellite broadband at locations where conventional infrastructure was difficult to provide.

One of the more important rural components was Broadband Wireless Access via satellite.

JENDELA identified 839 locations across Johor, Kelantan, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Selangor, Sabah and Sarawak for satellite broadband access. The project was intended to provide connectivity to remote areas while permanent solutions were being developed.

This is particularly relevant to remote settlements where population density, terrain or distance from existing infrastructure makes conventional deployment difficult.

JENDELA vs NADI: What Is the Difference?

The easiest way to understand the two programmes is to separate infrastructure from community access.

NADI is an MCMC initiative under the Universal Service Provision (USP) programme. Its role is to provide equitable digital access, empower communities through structured programmes and disseminate information to the public. The official NADI portal currently lists 1,099 locations nationwide.

In simple terms:

JENDELA helps improve the network.

NADI helps people use digital services.

How Does JENDELA Help Rural Communities?

Fibre is not always the most practical solution for every rural location.

A remote Kampung may be several kilometres from existing infrastructure, while mountainous terrain, rivers, forests or low population density can make new infrastructure expensive.

This is why JENDELA uses different connectivity technologies depending on the location.

The broader approach is:

Fibre where practical → Mobile broadband where suitable → Wireless or satellite solutions where conventional deployment is difficult.

The satellite component is a good example.

MCMC's JENDELA programme identified 839 locations for satellite broadband, including remote areas in Sabah and Sarawak and Orang Asli settlements in Peninsular Malaysia. The project was designed as an expedient connectivity solution while permanent infrastructure was being developed.

What Is the JENDELA Map?

For consumers, the JENDELA Map is one of the most useful parts of the programme.

The official portal allows users to:

1. Check network coverage
2. Submit complaints
3. Submit requests
4. Track case status
5. View information about service providers
6. Find NADI locations

(Source: JENDELA Map — Official Portal)

The distinction between a Complaint and a Request is important.

JENDELA's FAQ explains that a complaint refers to a reported issue with service quality that requires further action, while a request can be used for a new fixed broadband request in an area that does not currently have service.

So if your Kampung already has coverage but the service is consistently poor, do not automatically treat it as a request for new broadband infrastructure.

💡 NetBijak: What to Do When Your Kampung Has Poor Internet

💡 4-Step Solution for Poor Rural Connectivity

Step 1 — Check Coverage

Open JENDELA Map and check the reported service coverage around your location.

Step 2 — Report the Problem

If the actual service does not match the coverage shown, submit a Complaint through JENDELA Map. If your area does not have fixed broadband service, use the appropriate Request function instead.

Step 3 — Find an Alternative

While waiting for better home connectivity, use the NADI Location Directory to find the nearest NADI centre. NADI On Wheels may also provide mobile community access in selected areas.

Step 4 — Consider Alternative Broadband

If Fibre is unavailable, compare suitable 4G/5G routers, fixed wireless access or satellite broadband options based on what is actually available at your location.

JENDELA Map currently provides separate functions for Semak Liputan, Hantar Aduan, Hantar Permintaan and Status Kes, making it the appropriate starting point when residents want to investigate a connectivity problem.

What Happened to PEDi?

If you search for rural Internet centres in older Malaysian articles, you will probably see the term PEDi.

PEDi was the previous name for the programme.

It is now officially known as:

NADI — Pusat Sebaran Maklumat Nasional

NADI is operated as an MCMC initiative under the Universal Service Provision programme, with a broader role than simply providing an Internet connection.

So when searching for a centre today, use:

“NADI near me”

rather than relying only on:

“PEDi near me.”

What Can You Do at a NADI Centre?

NADI is designed to provide collective Internet access and digital services, particularly for communities in rural and underserved areas.

The official NADI platform highlights services such as:

1. Computer access
2. Internet access
3. Digital literacy programmes
4. E-learning
5. Entrepreneurship programmes
6. Community information
7. Digital government services
8. Health-related digital services

The NADI platform also allows users to search for nearby centres and, through the NADI Member App, book PC usage and access other member services.

Individual centres can offer different facilities and operating rules, so users should check the specific NADI before visiting.

Is NADI Internet Free?

This needs a little clarification.

Do not assume that every service at every NADI is automatically free.

Individual NADI centres publish their own usage information.

For example, some current NADI centre pages state that membership and computer usage are free, while printing and other services carry separate charges.

This means the practical approach is:

1. Check the nearest NADI.
2. Check its opening hours.
3. Confirm whether Internet/Wi-Fi access is available.
4. Check whether PC usage is free.
5. Check whether registration is required.
6. Check printing, scanning or other service charges.

The official NADI location directory can be used to identify the relevant centre.

NADI for Students and Online Learning

For students in rural areas, NADI can be particularly useful when home Internet or computer access is limited.

Depending on the centre, students may use NADI facilities for:

1. Online learning
2. Research
3. Assignment submission
4. Government education portals
5. Digital learning programmes
6. Computer training
7. Printing and scanning

Some NADI centres also run structured learning programmes. The current NADI portal, for example, promotes Tuisyen Rakyat and other educational activities.

For a student who does not have a laptop, printer or reliable Internet at home, a nearby NADI can therefore become a practical backup.

NADI and Smart Rural Healthcare

NADI is also becoming more relevant to digital health and community wellbeing.

Some NADI services and programmes include health screening and digital health-related activities. The NADI platform also includes health-related functions such as health record monitoring through its member application.

This is where the idea of Smart Rural Clinics becomes relevant.

However, there is an important distinction:

NADI is not a replacement for a clinic or doctor.

Instead, Internet connectivity can help rural residents access:

1. Basic health screening
2. Digital health information
3. Online communication
4. Health education
5. Selected digital health services

The value comes from combining connectivity + community facilities + digital services.

What Is NADI On Wheels?

A permanent NADI centre is useful only if residents can reach it.

For communities that are further away, NADI On Wheels (NOW) provides a mobile model for delivering digital and community services.

The programme is intended to bring services such as Internet access and community digital activities closer to underserved communities.

This is particularly useful for locations where establishing a permanent centre is less practical.

For residents, the important point is simple:

No nearby NADI building does not necessarily mean no community digital programme is available.

Check the latest NADI information for mobile activities and scheduled visits.

What If Your Village Still Has Poor Internet?

Start by identifying what the actual problem is.

Problem 1: No Fibre

Check whether Fibre is available from any provider at your exact address.

If there is no Fibre, investigate mobile broadband or other fixed wireless options.

Problem 2: Poor Mobile Coverage

Use JENDELA Map to check the reported coverage and submit the appropriate complaint or request if necessary.

Problem 3: No Computer or Reliable Home Internet

Find your nearest NADI.

It may provide access to computers, Internet and digital programmes while you are waiting for better home connectivity.

Problem 4: Remote Location

Wireless or satellite broadband may be more realistic where Fibre or conventional mobile infrastructure is difficult to deploy.

JENDELA's satellite BWA programme demonstrates how satellite connectivity can be used for hard-to-reach locations.

JENDELA vs NADI: Think Infrastructure vs Access

The simplest way to remember the difference is:

JENDELA

“Can this area get better connectivity?”

It focuses on network infrastructure, coverage and connectivity improvement.

NADI

“Where can people access digital services?”

It provides a physical community access point for Internet, computers, digital learning and other services.

For example:

Your Kampung has weak mobile coverage → JENDELA is relevant to the infrastructure problem.

Your family has no computer or reliable Internet access → NADI may provide a practical place to get online.

They are complementary rather than competing programmes.

How to Find Your Nearest NADI

The official NADI website provides a NADI Location Directory, while JENDELA Map also includes NADI information.

Before visiting:

Step 1: Find the nearest NADI.

Step 2: Check its operating hours.

Step 3: Check available Internet and PC facilities.

Step 4: Confirm whether membership is required.

Step 5: Check any printing or other service charges.

Step 6: Ask about current digital, education or health-related programmes.

This is better than assuming every NADI centre offers exactly the same services.

Can NADI Replace Home Broadband?

Usually, no.

NADI is a community digital access point, not a replacement for personal home broadband.

If reliable Fibre or mobile broadband is available at your home, having your own connection is more practical for:

1. Online classes
2. Remote work
3. Video calls
4. Streaming
5. Gaming
6. Smart home devices
7. Multiple users

NADI becomes particularly valuable when home connectivity is unavailable, unreliable or unaffordable.

NetBijak's Take

Rural connectivity is easier to understand when you separate network infrastructure from community access.

JENDELA improves the connectivity infrastructure.

NADI provides a physical place where communities can access digital services.

If your Kampung has poor Internet, don't simply switch between telcos and hope for better coverage.

Use this sequence:

Check JENDELA Coverage → Submit the Correct Complaint/Request → Find the Nearest NADI → Check NADI On Wheels → Consider 4G/5G, Fixed Wireless or Satellite Options

And if you still see older references to PEDi, remember that the current programme name is NADI.

The bigger picture is that rural broadband does not have to rely on one technology. Fibre, mobile networks, wireless access, satellite connectivity and community digital centres can work together to close Malaysia's remaining digital-access gap.

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