CelcomDigi recently started its full-scale program to integrate and modernize its 4G network in Malaysia
Malaysian telco CelcomDigi has consolidated two clusters of networks in east Malaysia, the company said in a statement.
The Malaysian telco detailed that the network clusters were in Tuaran and Menggatal – where a total of 50 Celcom and Digi network sites have been consolidated, taking the total number of sites to 108, across the two locations. Customers located in Tuaran and Menggatal should experience improved download throughput, higher data capacity and wider LTE coverage, the telco said.
CelcomDigi recently started its full-scale program to integrate and modernize its 4G network in Malaysia with the latest LTE and 5G-ready technologies. The project will entail upgrades and site consolidation of almost 25,000 existing Celcom and Digi sites nationwide. It will involve close to 800 engineers and more than 250 specialized contractor teams for nationwide installation works, the telco said.
“CelcomDigi is integrating and modernizing its network by clusters, with activities focused on coverage and capacity expansion efforts, upgrading sites with the latest 4G and 5G-ready technologies, as well as streamlining overlapping sites to eliminate duplication. To date, the company has completed integration work in 19 clusters across Central, Northern, Southern, Eastern, and East Malaysia regions,” the company said.
In its Q1 earnings report, CelcomDigi stated that it planned to reinvest 15% to 18% of total revenue in Capex to support both the network integration and modernization program and to support both existing Celcom and Digi networks.
CelcomDigi recently announced partnerships with Chinese vendors Huawei Technologies and ZTE for the purchase of network services, solutions and equipment for its nationwide network integration and modernization project.
Under the various agreements, CelcomDigi will modernize its nationwide Radio Access Network (RAN) with equipment and services from both Huawei and ZTE. The technology solutions will leverage CelcomDigi’s existing spectrum, and utilize the latest tri-band radio units, dualband radio units and baseband radio units. Both Huawei and ZTE will also manage network densification and site upgrade projects, the Malaysian carrier said.
In December 2022, Axiata Group and Telenor Group had completed the merger of Malaysian operators Celcom and Digi. Following the completion of the merger, Axiata and Telenor now hold equal ownership in CelcomDigi at 33.1% each.
Earlier this week, the Malaysian government said that the country’s main mobile operators, including CelcomDigo, decided to acquire stakes in the state-owned wholesale 5G operator, Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB).
