By Sharen Kaur/Business Times - February 4, 2025
KUALA LUMPUR: U Mobile, Malaysia's future second 5G network provider, has set a new industry milestone by achieving seamless 5G coverage with speeds exceeding 120 Mbps across the entire 13.5-kilometre span of the first Penang Bridge.
During the trial, users experienced minimum network speeds of 120 Mbps, with an average of 597 Mbps and zero dropped calls—even at vehicle speeds of 80 km/h—far surpassing legacy 4G solutions.
Once the 5G network is commercially launched, commuters on the Penang Bridge can enjoy smooth 4K video streaming, seamless short video browsing, immersive gaming, and high-definition live broadcasts.
U Mobile said this breakthrough was made possible through Huawei's cutting-edge Meta Active Antenna Unit (MetaAAU) technology.
Maintaining consistent network coverage on one of the world's longest sea-crossing bridges has been a long-standing challenge due to its length and fluctuating traffic patterns. Traditionally, the industry addressed these issues by installing a 4G base station in the middle of the bridge to sustain connectivity.
U Mobile, however, has redefined this approach through 5G-Advanced technology and innovative network engineering.
By leveraging Huawei's MetaAAU technology—which incorporates an Extremely Large Antenna Array (ELAA) and beamforming algorithms—U Mobile has doubled antenna elements to enhance coverage distance and improve edge user experience by over 30 per cent.
Strategically placed MetaAAU sites at both ends of the Penang Bridge eliminate the need for a base station in the middle while ensuring uninterrupted connectivity, U Mobile said in a statement.
MetaAAU also features an innovative "0 Bit 0 Watt" mode, allowing modules to shut down by up to 99 per cent during low-traffic periods, maximising energy efficiency without compromising performance. The system reactivates within minutes when traffic demand increases, making it ideal for environments with fluctuating usage, such as the Penang Bridge.
Woon Ooi Yuen, chief technology officer of U Mobile, said that as Malaysia's future second 5G network provider, the company is thrilled to have successfully completed this 5G trial with Huawei, said
"This trial showcases our commitment to innovation and reflects our capability to roll out the nation's second 5G network efficiently and effectively, ensuring seamless connectivity even in challenging environments. With 5G-A, we will be able to provide future enterprise use cases along the bridge, such as road safety services, surveillance with AI capabilities, and drones for emergency situations," he said.
Meanwhile, Zac Chow, vice president of Huawei Technologies (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd's Carrier Network Business Group, emphasised the significance of the deployment in advancing Malaysia's telecommunications landscape.
Huawei's MetaAAU technology addresses real-world challenges by providing reliable 5G connectivity where it's needed most.
"This achievement reinforces our strong partnership with U Mobile and our shared commitment to fast-tracking Malaysia's digital transformation, enabling operators like U Mobile to drive the development of advanced telecom services."
Source: https://www.nst.com.my/business/corporate/2025/02/1170191/5g-coverage-135km-long-penang-bridge-bttv
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