The second-largest telecommunication service provider in Malaysia, Maxis Bhd. (Image via MSN.com)

Malaysian Maxis and Chinese Huawei to cooperate for 5G networks

On Thursday, Malaysian second largest telecommunication service provider, Maxis Bhd, said that it had signed an agreement with the Chinese tech giant, Huawei, to work side-by-side in covering ASEAN nations with 5G networks when it is available. Also, Huawei shall help Maxis in improving 4G and 4G LTE networks in Malaysia and providing radio equipment so that the nation becomes 5G-ready.

The signing of the agreement between Maxis and Huawei was witnessed by the Prime Minister of Malaysia himself, Mahathir Mohamad. For the PM, the development of 5G in Malaysia was inevitable, welcoming the Industry Revolution 4.0. The Malaysian government set the target that by 2020, Malaysia will have established 5G networks’ spectrum.

After the signing, Maxis’ shares rose by 1.5% on Friday’s opening.

In February 2019, Maxis and Huawei signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to hold 5G trials in Malaysia. However, Maxis also stood on the same ground with its rivals, Celcom, who had agreed with Huawei as well for 5G networks.

Last week, the Malaysian Minister of Communication and Multimedia, Gobind Singh Deo, stated that around October, Malaysia would hold nationwide 5G trials. The trials would make Malaysia become the first ASEAN country to experience the successor of 4G networks.

2019 is quite bumpy for Huawei. It was listed on the blacklist by the United States (U.S) after an allegation that Huawei was using its equipment to spy. Hence, the U.S persuaded other countries to also resist Huawei from any public procurement deals.

Malaysia did not, however, worry about the cybersecurity and still signed a deal with the Chinese tech giant, knowing its affordability and quality.

Source: https://reut.rs/31MXotU