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In a press statement yesterday, it was announced that

Celcom Axiata Bhd (Celcom) and Maxis Berhad (Maxis) successfully conducted Southeast Asia’s first 5G Multi Operator Core Network (MOCN) trial, achieving peak speeds of more than 1.1Gbps in an outdoor environment at trial sites in Langkawi, Kedah.

Conducted on December 2019, the trial consisted of a Maxis 5G site at Seaview Hotel in Kuah and a Celcom 5G site at The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa, allowing both Celcom and Maxis users at both locations to access the 5G network hosted by the two companies as if they are on their home network.

MOCN is a Radio Active Network (RAN) sharing mechanism that allows two different core networks to share the same RAN. Using MOCN, both Celcom and Maxis can quickly extend their 5G coverage in Langkawi by leveraging each other’s existing 5G sites, therefore demonstrating the feasibility of 5G infrastructure sharing to accelerate 5G when the spectrum is allocated for commercial usage.

This achievement reflects commitment of both telcos in realising a seamless sharing experience on an active 5G infrastructure. These learnings will benefit and further complement the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission’s (MCMC) ambition for 5G and our commitment to deliver the best 5G innovation to benefit the people and businesses in Malaysia.

It also demonstrates the rollout capability as well as agility from both parties’ in responding to technology advancement for the development of the nation’s digital ecosystem. Moving forward, Celcom and Maxis plans to conduct further active RAN Sharing trials using 5G Standalone (5G SA) network by Q1 2020. 

Idham Nawawi, CEO, Celcom:

“Our successful 5G MOCN trial in its early stage, demonstrates the viability of a more cost efficient and coordinated 5G deployment in Malaysia. Aligned with MCMC’s spectrum announcement for 5G, we are adamant to collaborate for the best practices to build the best 5G network at the lowest cost possible and prevent duplication of infrastructure while improvements on 4G networks are ongoing, benefiting consumers and businesses with more value for the best 5G quality. Collaboration and innovation between businesses with 5G technology is a key success factor for the development of the nation’s digital ecosystem in the IR4.0 era.”

Gokhan Ogut, CEO, Maxis:

“We are very happy with the trial results and are stepping up our efforts in pursuit of an accelerated 5G deployment plan. We look forward to reaping the benefits of network sharing and hence allowing more investment in services for customers. 5G will play a key role in providing the technology platform for businesses to be more efficient and innovative, thus helping to build a more competitive digital economy.”

The successful trial follows the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Celcom and Maxis on 25 November 2019 to explore Malaysia’s first active 5G RAN sharing.