U Mobile, a key player in Malaysia’s telecommunications landscape, has chosen Huawei and ZTE as its partners for deploying the country’s second 5G network. U Mobile aims to cover 80% of the population within a year and reach 90% soon after. They plan to offer robust indoor and outdoor 5G performance.
According to U Mobile’s Chief Technology Officer, Woon Ooi Yuen, the company’s next-generation network will enhance Malaysia’s consumer and enterprise-grade 5G experience. The new network includes features like network slicing and 5G-Advanced from day one. These features will aid businesses in customizing network usage for specific needs across sectors like healthcare and transportation.
To address the current gap in indoor coverage, U Mobile plans to increase the number of indoor 5G sites. The rollout will focus on strategic locations such as transport hubs, medical centers, and data centers. Key emphasis is on enhancing connectivity in essential areas to enable seamless adoption of 5G nationwide.
U Mobile’s strategic approach aligns with the Malaysian government’s dual-network model, fostering healthy competition and encouraging industry innovation. U Mobile Chairman Tan Sri Vincent Tan emphasized that competition will drive improvements in service quality. The selection of Huawei and ZTE came through a competitive tender process where only these two firms submitted proposals. The company highlights confidence in its suppliers to deliver an enterprise-ready network that aligns with Malaysia’s digital economy goals.
Huawei Malaysia CEO Simon Sun expressed optimism about this collaboration. He said, “Together with U Mobile, we aim to build a bespoke 5G-A ready network…and accelerate digital transformation to support Malaysia’s digital economy.”
Previously, U Mobile signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CIMB Bank Berhad to secure financial backing for its ambitious 5G rollout strategy, approved by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission in November 2024.
Currently, Malaysian operators like CelcomDigi, Maxis, and YTL operate through the state-run Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB). As 5G deployment continues, U Mobile’s competitive edge will likely strengthen, offering improved services and promoting a digitally advanced infrastructure.
