Maxis and Huawei have successfully staged the first 5G-Advanced technology trial in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. The ‘5G-Advanced Trial Showcase’ included a live speed test to demonstrate 5G-Advanced’s capabilities to achieve ultra-fast peak speeds of up to 8Gbps.
5G-Advanced, also known as 5.5G, promises up to 10 times improvement in speed, connected devices, and latency compared to 5G.
The event was officiated by Yang Berhormat Fahmi Fadzil, Minister of Communications. Also present at the ceremony was the Chairman of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din.
The showcase was organised to highlight the potential of 5G-Advanced technology through next generation connectivity and digital solutions, leveraging its ultra-high speeds, greater capacity for simultaneously connected devices, and ultra-reliable low latency. The event was held at KLCC The Place as the first venue in the country to host a 5.5G technology trial.
The demonstration booths featured interactive applications of the technology, including low latency live streaming of various Kuala Lumpur city centre views, live 3D content, and immersive augmented reality (AR) experiences.
“This 5.5G trial demonstrates the potential of Malaysia’s telecommunications sector in contributing meaningfully to advancing our communications connectivity. We hope more industry players will pioneer innovative technologies that will help Malaysian enterprises move up the value chain through next-generation commercial and industrial solutions. This will position Malaysia as a front-runner in telecommunications globally,” said Mohamad Salim.
“Maxis is proud to have achieved a first not only for the nation but also in Southeast Asia with our 5.5G trial. The potential of this technology is immense as it can power intelligent solutions across industries and economies. We look forward to exploring this technology and developing solutions that will benefit industries and enterprises, and advance our nation’s digital ambition,” said Goh Seow Eng, CEO of Maxis.
“As a leading global ICT player and an advocate for end-to-end 5.5G solutions, Huawei has been working on R&D and verification of key 5.5G technologies and business cases. Today, we bring the latest 5.5G technology and launch the first 5.5G showcase in Malaysia. This will show the world that Malaysia leads the region in digital infrastructure, proving its enabling environment and digital facilities are one of the best to attract and retain foreign investments. Huawei Malaysia is firmly committed to walking alongside the nation in its digital transformation journey,” said Simon Sun, CEO of Huawei Technologies (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.
5.5G’s advanced capabilities can support digitalisation, automation, and the internet of things (IoT) across many sectors.
These capabilities will facilitate the digital upgrade of core industries such as high-end manufacturing, automotive and smart transportation, as well as enable state-of-the-art visual communication through 3D and extended reality (XR). In addition, 5G-Advanced will support the development of affordable IoT solutions.
Following the event, the 5.5G trial will be showcased on the global stage as part of the Malaysia Pavilion supported by the MCMC at this year’s Mobile World Congress (MWC), which will be held on 26-29 February 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. Maxis is one of the leading Malaysian companies that will be representing the nation at MWC 2024, the world’s largest and most influential connectivity event.
Members of the public will also be able to visit the 5G-Advanced showcase at KLCC The Place on 22 Feb 2024, from 3:00pm – 10:00 pm and 23 Feb 2024 from 10:00am – 10:00pm, where they will be able to experience 5.5G technology firsthand.
