In a landmark development for 5G Advanced (5G-A) technology in Malaysia, CelcomDigi Berhad, U Mobile Sdn Bhd, and ZTE Corporation are teaming up to deliver the nation’s first live broadcast powered by 5G-A technology from SUKMA 2024. This groundbreaking event will bring the Opening Ceremony of SUKMA 2024, held on 17 August 2024 at Stadium Sarawak, to viewers across Malaysia via Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM).
Announced initially through a Memorandum of Understanding at MWC Barcelona 2024, this collaboration will showcase the capabilities of 5G-A technology, including its ultra-low latency and high throughput, during the live broadcast. The initiative aims to demonstrate how these advanced features can enhance the quality and efficiency of large-scale live broadcasts.
The trial will highlight ZTE’s cutting-edge mmWave AAU, which boasts the largest bandwidth and the only 1024-antenna array in the industry. This technology includes advanced Carrier Aggregation, Cluster Dynamic Frequency Selection, and native AI Intelligent RAN, all contributing to superior network and streaming performance. With a single cell achieving over 30 Gbps capacity and individual user speeds reaching up to 8.5 Gbps, this technology is set to revolutionize both B2B and B2C services.
Datuk Idham Nawawi, CEO of CelcomDigi, emphasized the importance of industry collaboration, stating, “Partnering with U Mobile and ZTE on this project benefits everyone, particularly the state and the rakyat. Our collaboration with global technology companies is crucial in advancing Malaysia’s 5G ecosystem. We are committed to enhancing the deployment and development of 5G and 5G-A technology, leveraging our extensive network and 5G-ready sites to support Malaysia’s transition to a 5G-A powered digital society.”
U Mobile CEO Wong Heang Tuck added, “We are thrilled to collaborate with CelcomDigi and ZTE to accelerate 5G-Advanced adoption. This partnership represents a significant step forward in enhancing digital connectivity and setting new standards for 5G-A technology in Malaysia.”
ZTE Malaysia Managing Director Steven Ge highlighted ZTE’s commitment to innovation, stating, “Our dedication to 5G and 5G-A use cases, achieved with our partners, reflects our commitment to milestone performance. We look forward to presenting more innovative solutions tailored to Malaysia’s 5G strategy.”
The public can experience the 5G-A live broadcast at the 5G-A Pavilion at Stadium Sarawak, hosted by CelcomDigi, U Mobile, and ZTE, or tune in from wherever they are to watch the SUKMA 2024 Opening Ceremony. The broadcast is also supported by Sarawak Digital Economy Corporate Berhad (SDEC), which provides the necessary fibre backhaul infrastructure.
