Malaysia’s 5G landscape is set for a significant change as U Mobile pushes on to roll out the second 5G network. The company has entered into a substantial partnership with national telecommunications infrastructure provider, Telekom Malaysia (TM). This long-term agreement, valued at RM2.4 billion over 10 years, will see TM become U Mobile’s key fibre backhaul partner. This strategic move is designed to accelerate U Mobile’s 5G network deployment across the country, especially timely as Malaysia transitions from a Single Wholesale Network (SWN) model towards a Dual Wholesale Network (DWN) approach for 5G. U Mobile is one of the key players that has secured the rights to develop this second 5G network, making robust infrastructure partnerships like this crucial. The collaboration underscores the national importance of robust digital infrastructure, a sentiment echoed by the presence of Communications Minister YB Datuk Fahmi Fadzil during the announcement.
This partnership is pivotal. For a “Next Gen 5G” network to deliver on its promises of high speeds, low latency, and massive capacity, a powerful and reliable backhaul is non-negotiable. Fibre optic infrastructure serves as this critical highway, connecting 5G cell towers to the core network. Without sufficient fibre backhaul, 5G capabilities would be severely constrained. This is where TM’s extensive network infrastructure becomes a game-changer for U Mobile.
Core Components of the U Mobile-TM Agreement
Under the terms of this strategic alliance, TM will furnish U Mobile with a comprehensive suite of backhaul infrastructure services. These include essential fibre leased line access to U Mobile’s 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) sites. Additionally, the agreement encompasses the leasing of space at TM’s data centres and Edge Facilities for Points of Interconnect (POIs), alongside trunk leased line services to ensure resilient inter-regional connectivity.
TM possesses a vast nationwide fibre network, with its footprint extending over 740,000 kilometers, representing the broadest fibre backhaul coverage in Malaysia. This extensive reach is fundamental to U Mobile’s plans for an expedited 5G rollout.
TM will be instrumental in providing the backhaul for up to 70% of U Mobile’s 5G sites, illustrating the depth of this collaboration.
“U Mobile is pleased to have TM as our fibre backhaul partner as their coverage is the widest in Malaysia, enabling us to further accelerate our 5G coverage deployment.” – Wong Heang Tuck, CEO of U Mobile
Wong Heang Tuck, CEO of U Mobile, highlighted the company’s objectives: “Together with TM and other partners, we are committed to reaching 80% coverage of populated areas within 12 months, while ensuring a superior 5G experience that is highly reliable, supports massive capacity and delivers ultra-fast speeds to benefit enterprises and consumers across Malaysia.”
Achieving 80% population coverage within such a timeframe is an ambitious target, signaling a strong push to bring tangible 5G benefits to a wider audience. The focus on a “superior 5G experience” indicates an emphasis on quality of service, moving beyond mere coverage symbols to deliver actual performance gains.
TM’s Role in Malaysia’s Digital Advancement
For Telekom Malaysia, this partnership aligns with its broader mission to support Malaysia’s digital transformation and its aspiration to evolve into a Digital Powerhouse by 2030.
“TM is proud to support U Mobile’s 5G network with high-capacity fibre backhaul — the essential backbone of a resilient and high-performance 5G ecosystem.” – Amar Huzaimi Md Deris, TM’s Group CEO
Amar Huzaimi Md Deris, TM’s Group CEO, commented, “This collaboration underscores our commitment to building inclusive, future-ready infrastructure that fuels innovation, enhances connectivity, and drives digital progress across the nation. This is central to TM’s role as the enabler of a Digital Malaysia — a cornerstone in our aspiration to become a Digital Powerhouse by 2030.”
This collaboration allows U Mobile to leverage TM’s established and extensive fibre network, which should lead to faster 5G service availability and potentially more efficient use of resources. In turn, TM further utilises its significant infrastructure assets and reinforces its central role in the nation’s digital ecosystem.
Implications for Consumers and Businesses
The practical outcomes of this partnership are noteworthy. For consumers, this development points towards earlier access to a more consistent and performant 5G network from U Mobile. This translates to improved mobile data experiences, including faster media downloads, higher quality video streaming, more responsive online gaming, and enhanced reliability for video communications. As U Mobile expands its “enterprise-grade” Next Gen 5G network, a wider array of innovative services leveraging 5G’s unique capabilities can be anticipated.
For the business sector, a robust and widely available 5G network is a catalyst for digital transformation. It provides the necessary infrastructure for advanced applications such as the Internet of Things (IoT), smart manufacturing processes, remote operational management, and sophisticated data analytics—all of which can drive efficiency and foster innovation. The combination of TM’s fibre infrastructure and U Mobile’s 5G service deployment aims to better equip Malaysian enterprises for the evolving digital economy.
The National 5G Trajectory
This U Mobile-TM agreement represents a significant step in Malaysia’s broader strategy to achieve comprehensive 5G coverage and adoption. The nation’s shift towards a Dual Wholesale Network model aims to foster greater competition and accelerate 5G deployment. U Mobile’s initiative to build out its network, supported by TM’s backhaul capabilities, is a direct contribution to this evolving landscape, promising more choices and potentially enhanced service quality for end-users.
U Mobile positions itself as a telco with an innovative mindset and a focus on network capabilities. Securing this vital fibre backhaul infrastructure strengthens its ability to deliver on its promise of making advanced digital services possible, particularly as it embarks on deploying its newly acquired rights for 5G network expansion.
Telekom Malaysia, as the nation’s leading integrated telecommunications provider, contributes its extensive experience in network infrastructure and a wide array of communication and digital technology services. Its commitment to enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency, underpinned by strong corporate governance and sustainability goals, is reflected in this strategic initiative to support the expansion of Malaysia’s 5G capabilities.
The path to ubiquitous, high-quality 5G is an ongoing endeavor. However, strategic partnerships like the one forged between U Mobile and TM are crucial enablers, accelerating Malaysia’s progress towards a more connected, innovative, and digitally empowered future. The focus now shifts to the tangible rollout and the real-world performance enhancements this collaboration will bring within the dynamic new structure of Malaysia’s 5G deployment.
