Kuala Lumpur, 30 July 2024 – In a significant move to accelerate the adoption and application of 5G Advanced (5G-A) technology, CelcomDigi Berhad, U Mobile Sdn Bhd, and ZTE Corporation have partnered to present the nation's first-ever live broadcast, powered by 5G-Advanced technology, from SUKMA 2024 to viewers all across Malaysia.

The strategic collaboration, first announced via a Memorandum of Understanding at MWC Barcelona 2024, will see the trio deploy 5G-A technology for a live broadcast of SUKMA 2024's Opening Ceremony, which will take place on 17 August 2024 from Stadium Sarawak, through Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM). The groundbreaking initiative aims to showcase how 5G-A's ultra-low latency and high throughput will enable more dynamic and efficient live broadcast at a major scale.

The trial showcased ZTE's industry-leading mmWave AAU, featuring the largest bandwidth and the only 1024-antenna array. It incorporates advanced Carrier Aggregation technology, innovative Cluster Dynamic Frequency Selection functionality, and native AI Intelligent RAN for superior network and streaming management. These technologies enable a single cell to achieve a capacity exceeding 30 Gbps, with individual users experiencing speeds of up to 8.5 Gbps. This cutting-edge technology is applicable to both B2B and B2C services, ensuring optimal user experiences.

Datuk Idham Nawawi, CelcomDigi's CEO said, "We believe in partnerships and industry collaboration, and working with U Mobile and ZTE on this project benefits all parties, especially the state and the rakyat. As the largest mobile network operator, our partnerships with multitudes of global technology companies help bring the latest 5G-AI technology to Malaysia, further strengthening our commitment in building and growing Malaysia's 5G ecosystem. We continue to drive deployment, development, and adoption of 5G and 5G-A technology, leveraging our wide network footprint and strong foundation of 5G-ready sites, as we double down on our efforts in enabling the nation's transformation into a 5G-AI powered digital society."

Wong Heang Tuck, CEO of U Mobile said, "In line with our vision to be Malaysia's favourite digital services partner, U Mobile is delighted to collaborate with industry partner CelcomDigi and technology partner ZTE to further accelerate the adoption of 5G-Advanced technology. This collaboration marks a pivotal step towards enhancing digital connectivity and services across industries in Malaysia and sets a new benchmark for 5G-A technology applications and experience."

Steven Ge, Managing Director of ZTE Malaysia said, "ZTE's dedication to innovation is reflected through our 5G and 5G-A use cases where, together with our partners, we are achieving milestone performances. We are excited to bring more exciting use cases as we tailor our solutions to meet the unique demands of Malaysia's 5G strategy and beyond."

The public is invited to see first-hand how it all works at the 5G-A Pavilion at Stadium Sarawak, hosted by CelcomDigi, U Mobile and ZTE; or from wherever they are catching the SUKMA 2024 Opening Ceremony. The 5G-A live broadcast was also made possible with support from Sarawak Digital Economy Corporate Berhad (SDEC) for the provision of fibre backhaul.