U Mobile is well on its way to rolling out Malaysia’s second 5G network with strategic partnerships with Huawei Malaysia and ZTE. The official partnership agreement with the two companies was formalized at a ceremony held at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC), with Communications Minister of Malaysia, YB Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, and Party Secretary of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China, Li Lecheng, in attendance. U Mobile has emphasised that Huawei and ZTE were selected following an open and transparent tender process.
Strategic Partnerships and 5G Deployment Strategy
U Mobile’s collaboration with Huawei and ZTE is central to its plan for rapid 5G network expansion. U Mobile’s network will operate complementarily to the existing 5G infrastructure managed by Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), fostering competition and providing increased choice in the Malaysian 5G market. U Mobile aims to achieve aggressive rollout targets, including 80% coverage of populated areas (COPA) within the first 12 months, and 90% coverage in the subsequent 12 months.
Huawei will be spearheading the development and rollout of the second 5G network in Peninsular Malaysia, while ZTE will be responsible for deployment in Sabah and Sarawak. In addition to these partnerships, U Mobile also plans to collaborate with a diverse ecosystem of local vendors to accelerate the network rollout and enhance its availability. The partnerships will leverage know-how, infrastructure and capabilities of local partners like TowerCos.
The selection of Huawei and ZTE is attributed to their global leadership in 5G technology, proven expertise, and capacity to meet U Mobile’s aggressive deployment timelines.
Huawei, a recognised global leader in the 5G market, will contribute its advanced technological solutions, including its 5G MetaAAU technology. Huawei aims to work closely with U Mobile to build a 5G-A ready network, focused on delivering enhanced 5G and 5G-A experiences across various sectors. The company also intends to support Malaysia’s digital transformation and cultivate local 5G-A talent.
ZTE, with its established presence in Malaysia’s telecommunications development from 2G to 5G, will provide its 5G CommonCore and Radio Access Network (RAN) solutions. ZTE is committed to supporting Malaysia’s digitalisation goals and deploying innovative technologies, such as 5G-A.
Malaysia’s Evolving 5G Landscape
U Mobile’s announcement comes after their appointment to spearhead the second network in line with the Malaysian government’s adoption of the 5G Dual Network model. This policy shift from the previous Single Wholesale Network (SWN) approach to a DWN model allows for the deployment of 5G networks by multiple entities. The DWN approach aims to stimulate competition, encourage broader industry participation, and foster innovation within the telecommunications sector.
U Mobile’s Next Gen 5G Network Capabilities
U Mobile’s Chairman, Tan Sri Vincent Tan, has expressed the company’s gratitude for the government’s implementation of the 5G Dual Network model, acknowledging its potential to create a more dynamic and competitive market.
U Mobile has outlined its vision for its Next Gen 5G network, emphasising its commitment to delivering an enhanced experience for both consumers and enterprises. The network is designed to be enterprise-grade, incorporating advanced and future-proofed hardware and software technology.
Key features of the network include:
- Cutting-edge network capabilities: The network will incorporate the latest advancements in 5G and future 5G-A technologies to provide high-speed, low-latency connectivity and support a wide range of applications.
- Future-ready infrastructure: The network is being built with scalability and adaptability in mind, enabling it to evolve and meet the increasing demands of future applications and services.
- Efficient network structure: U Mobile is prioritising an optimised network architecture to maximise performance, capacity, and cost-effectiveness.
- Robust network security and resilience: The network will incorporate advanced security measures to protect data and ensure reliable operation, minimising disruptions and maintaining service continuity.
- 5G-Advanced and network slicing capabilities: U Mobile will offer 5G-A features and network slicing from the start of rollout. 5G-Advanced represents the next phase of 5G evolution, offering further enhancements in speed, capacity, and latency. Network slicing allows for the creation of virtualised and dedicated network segments tailored to specific applications or user needs, enabling customised service delivery.
Indoor connectivity is also a consideration with U Mobile’s second network, with plans to increase the number of indoor sites to improve 5G in-building coverage, which is currently limited. Initial deployment efforts will prioritise key sectors such as transportation hubs, medical and sports facilities, smart cities, and data centres, with a strong emphasis on providing comprehensive 5G indoor coverage.
U Mobile’s Chief Technology Officer, Woon Ooi Yuen, has reiterated the company’s dedication to enhancing Malaysia’s 5G and 5G-A experience for both consumers and enterprises, highlighting the network’s role in fostering competition and driving the adoption of innovative solutions.
