By BusinessToday -October 26, 2021

Celcom, ZTE Optimises 4G LTE Sites In Sabah, Sarawak
ZTE handed over devices collected from their associates and contractors to Celcom, as a contribution for the MyBaikhati device crowdsourcing initiative by telecommunications industry.

Celcom Axiata Bhd together with ZTE Corporation (ZTE) aims to optimise 100 sites in Sabah and Sarawak with the deployment of L900 technology, starting November 2021 in preparation for the 3G network shutdown by end of this year.

The deployment of L900 at the 100 targeted sites provides a quick solution for 4G improvement and enables users with seamless connectivity and better in-building penetrating powers, allowing for more robust transmission of data and Voice over LTE (VoLTE).

“The upgrade will help reduce the digital divide by providing a better internet experience in rural areas that are harder to reach,” says the company in a media release.

Earlier network upgrading activities helped improve the connectivity for schools in areas like Sekolah Kebangsaan Kukuro (22km from Beaufort), Sekolah Kebangsaan Rancangan Klias (16km to Beaufort), Sekolah Kebangsaan Nanamun (24km from Kota Belud town), and Sekolah Kebangsaan Samparita (26km to Kota Marudu). Celcom is also working with ZTE to improve coverage around six schools in rural Sarawak by the fourth quarter of the year.

Idham Nawawi, CEO of Celcom Axiata Behd says that Celcom has been relentless in optimising its network coverage, capacity, and resiliency by accelerating network investments at the most needed areas, especially at the most rural parts of the country. 

“We are committed to providing a consistent quality network experience for our customers, especially as the nation and industry is gearing towards the shutdown of 3G services by year-end.  Having an experienced and skilled technological partner such as ZTE will further accelerate our efforts to greater lengths, towards befitting our aspiration in supporting the Government’s JENDELA ambitions and provide consistent and inclusive connectivity for Malaysians nationwide,” Idham says.