DNB and Ericsson partner to introduce 5G to Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) announced the introduction of the latest generation of telecommunications standards in December last year with its partner Ericsson, which is keen to bring the benefits of high-speed connectivity to Malaysians.

Ericsson, a leading information and communications technology (ICT) company headquartered in Sweden, is leveraging on its technology leadership and global 5G deployment experience to build a world-class 5G network end-to-end in the country.

On the other hand, DNB has the spectrum, end-to-end design and technology needed to deliver a 5G network to provide consumers and businesses with blazing speeds and an enhanced customer experience.

This strategic partnership between DNB and Ericsson is expected to accelerate and acclimate the local ICT system more efficiently by working with local contractors and hiring more Malaysians.

“We have been working with our existing vendors and contractors while developing a pipeline for the future,” said Ericsson chief executive officer and president Börje Ekholm.

“Our local partners are working with us in areas like network installation and rollout, network optimisation and site solutions, among others.

“Ericsson has been part of the development of Malaysia’s telecommunication industry since 1965, helping to introduce every generation of mobile technology, from 2G to 5G.

“To support the management of the DNB network, we recently set up a network operations centre in Petaling Jaya, using the latest artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies,” he said.

Ericsson’s innovation, reliability and significant investments in research and development, which equates to US$4.4bil annually, has made the company a trusted partner to deliver 5G networks in the most advanced and demanding 5G markets.

This includes the United States where Ericsson provides infrastructure products and services for all the national telecommunication operators and cemented its 5G Radio Access Network market leadership last year. Around a quarter of Ericsson’s workforce is deployed in R&D activity.

“It is testimony to our strong partnership with DNB and our combined capabilities that we have been able to launch 5G in Malaysia in less than six months after the contract was awarded.

“Now 5G is already available in parts of Putrajaya, Cyberjaya and Kuala Lumpur and we will be providing approximately 80% coverage in populated areas by the end of 2024,” said Ekholm.Business potential

No doubt many have already heard that 5G will be a faster and higher capacity network. One key difference is how it will cater to consumers and enterprises, with potential for new business applications yet to be discovered.

“5G will accelerate Malaysia’s digital transformation and enable the country to embrace Industry 4.0. It will also help reduce the digital divide, through use of technology such as Fixed Wireless Access to provide ultra-fast connectivity to remote areas,” said Ekholm.

“Malaysia has the potential to become a global frontrunner in 5G, which will allow the country’s entrepreneurs to develop new solutions on top of the network. Successful use cases can then be launched locally and globally and support the economy by creating new jobs and skills.”

Among other initiatives Ericsson has conducted to help Malaysia transition to 5G is building a world-class network using advanced solutions like Multi-operator Core Network (MOCN) that allow radio networks to be shared by multiple operators.

“We will also operate the network largely using local resources and the latest tools and artificial intelligence (AI). This will guarantee the lowest cost per GB and maintain affordable prices of data in Malaysia,” he said.

DNB’s exclusive partnership with Ericsson includes the use of Ericsson Radio System products and solutions, including Ericsson Spectrum Sharing – a software for wide-area 5G coverage by enabling 1ms scheduling for best spectral efficiency.

“We are working with DNB on the accelerated rollout and providing an affordable and world-class customer experience – based on a trustworthy, resilient and secure 5G network that will form the foundation of a thriving digital ecosystem.

“We are fully committed to supporting DNB in making our 5G project a big success for the country, its people and economy. Indeed, we will ensure the network becomes a showcase for 5G in the world and a shining example of what innovative technology can offer consumers and businesses,” Ekholm said.

Currently, Ericsson powers 108 live 5G networks. And of the 73 countries that have introduced 5G, Ericsson has powered networks in 48 of them – translating to more than 60% of the countries that have already launched.