U Mobile, one of Malaysia’s leading mobile data service providers, has officially partnered with Chinese technology giants Huawei Technologies and ZTE Corporation to deploy the country’s second 5G network. This strategic collaboration comes as part of Malaysia’s transition to a dual network model, a government initiative launched in May 2023 to break up monopolistic practices and foster greater industry competition. Under the agreement, Huawei will oversee the 5G rollout in Peninsular Malaysia, while ZTE will be responsible for deployment in East Malaysia, specifically Sabah and Sarawak.
The selection of Huawei and ZTE followed a rigorous and transparent international tender process, with both companies chosen for their proven global deployment experience and alignment with U Mobile’s vision for a rapid, efficient rollout. U Mobile aims to achieve 80% coverage of populated areas within the first 12 months of deployment, with a target to reach 90% in the following year. The new network, branded as Next-Gen 5G, will feature advanced capabilities such as 5G Standalone (SA) architecture, 5G-Advanced features, and network slicing from day one, ensuring enterprise-grade performance and future-ready infrastructure.
This partnership is seen as a significant step in advancing Malaysia’s digital agenda, supporting national initiatives like the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint and MyDigital. U Mobile’s chairman, Tan Sri Vincent Tan, emphasized the company’s commitment to expanding digital infrastructure, noting that over RM8 billion has already been invested in network and technology. The dual network model is expected to drive innovation, improve service quality, and make 5G more accessible and affordable for Malaysians, while also balancing Western and Eastern technological influences in the country’s telecommunications landscape.
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(Source: The Edge Malaysia | Bernama | Soyacincau)
