TM and Huawei collaborate to accelerate 5G commercialisation in Malaysia

TELEKOM Malaysia Bhd (TM) and Huawei Technologies (M) Sdn Bhd have recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate in accelerating 5G commercialisation in Malaysia as the country moves towards becoming a digital nation.

The MoU was signed by both companies at TM-Huawei Tech Summit held recently. TM chief network officer Ir Azizi A Hadi signed the MoU on behalf of TM, while Huawei was represented by Huawei Malaysia VP Zac Chow.

Commenting on the collaboration, TM group CEO Datuk Noor Kamarul Anuar said: “It is an exciting development for us to collaborate with a global player like Huawei to accelerate the offering of 5G services to Malaysians. As a national telecommunications infrastructure provider of Malaysia’s digital nation aspirations, 5G technology will complement our existing wired-based offerings, world-class connectivity and digital infrastructure.

“It will enable us to deliver more innovative digital solutions to all our customers across various segments. TM via its innovative and comprehensive products and solutions will continue to lay the foundation for Industrial Revolution 4.0 and rolling out 5G nationwide serving a more digital society and lifestyle, digital businesses and industry verticals, as well as digital government.

“This collaboration augurs well for the accelerated deployment of future 5G network, applications and solutions for Malaysian homes, businesses and beyond, in line with our aspiration to power Digital Malaysia.”

Meanwhile, Huawei CEO Michael Yuan said: “TM and Huawei have been working hand-in-hand for 15 years. We have been working together to connect more people than ever before. We are now at the crossroads of digital transformation.

“Huawei will fully support TM’s aspiration to power Digital Malaysia and will work together with TM to build a better connected and intelligent Malaysia via 5G.”

Under the MoU, both parties intend to leverage on each other’s core expertise and capabilities, and explore a working mechanism covering spectrum, business case, ecosystem and key technologies.

This would include collaborating for a joint study on 5G spectrum and its evolution; possible joint development of new services concepts and business case of selected 5G use cases which include, but not limited to Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), Smart Cities and Vehicle-to-Vehicle or Vehicle-to-Infrastructure; joint study in the areas of 5G Ecosystem Innovation; and explore future cooperation on full-fledged 5G end-to-end system.

Through this collaboration, a joint working group will also be set up to identify areas of copper line services with the aim towards improving customer experience through FWA technology and/or services.

“With this collaboration, we further strengthen our role as a national telecommunications infrastructure provider of Malaysia’s digital nation aspirations, where TM has established the communications backbone of Malaysia with the widest connectivity and convergence network.

“As a responsible nation builder, we will continue to serve as a strategic enabler of the National Fiberisation and Connectivity Plan, backed by our solid infrastructure towards empowering Digital Malaysia” Noor Kamarul said.