KUALA LUMPUR, 1 Dec (Bernama) -- EA Holdings Berhad (“EAH”), a bumiputra company listed on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia Berhad since 2010, entered into a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Third Telecom Sdn Bhd (“Third Telecom”) today. Third Telecom is currently vying to be amongst the first mobile virtual network operators (MVNO) to provide 5G broadband solutions and services to the markets.
Pursuant to the signing of the MoU, the parties will collaborate for the design, provision and distribution of broadband access connectivity solutions, services and equipment utilising the newly launched 5G technology in Malaysia. Third Telecom will primarily be operating as an MVNO, leveraging on the 5G framework and access built and provided by Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB).
Third Telecom is helmed by its CEO, Aminuddin Bin Abu Khalid, a highly experienced telecommunication expert with more than 40 years of experience in fixed and mobile telephony networking in Malaysia. Formerly from Telekom Malaysia, Uniphone and Sapura Digital, he was involved developing and implementing training courses for Line Transmissions and Multiplexing of Optical Fibre Cable System as well as the planning and design of the Malaysia-Singapore-Thailand Submarine Cable Project during his tenure with Telekom Malaysia. He was also instrumental in securing the GSM Cellular Network Infrastructure licence for Sapura Digital and helped established the ADAM 017 GSM Cellular Services in 1995, which was amongst the earliest cellular network in Malaysia.
“There are very good synergies between Third Telecom and EAH. EAH has been around for more than ten years and they are very experienced in system implementations, software and application designs, and these are some of the crucial skillsets that Third Telecom needs urgently to launch our MVNO plans. EAH’s broad networks of established clients are an added bonus too,” explained Aminuddin.
Mohammad Sobri bin Saad, the CEO of EAH enthused, “We are very excited for this collaboration as Malaysia is entering a new phase with the launch of 5G under DNB. Together with Third Telecom, we want to be the prime MVNO offering innovative services and solutions using the 5G technology to our customers. Our primary target markets would be the MNCs, enterprises and industries.”
DNB, which is wholly owned by the Minister of Finance (Incorporated), was mandated by the Government of Malaysia to be the single neutral party to undertake the deployment of 5G infrastructure and network nationwide and is licensed to provide wholesale 5G coverage and capacity to other licence holders.
By December 2021, DNB is expected to roll-out 500 5G sites in Putrajaya, Cyberjaya and Kuala Lumpur, effectively covering 10% of the populated area. This will increase to 4,018 sites (40% of populated areas and covering all major towns) by 2022, and reaching 80% of the populated areas by 2024 with 7,509 sites. From 2025-2030, is it expected that 5G will cover more than 90% of the populated areas with at least 10,167 sites. By then, most of the 4G sites and non-5G sites would be made redundant, similar to the 3G sites which would be non-operational after 31 December 2021.
Aminuddin added, “Unlike the traditional telco framework which required billions ringgit of outlays for infrastructure, the 5G infrastructure will be built and maintained by DNB, who in turn will charge other mobile network operators (MNOs) and MVNOs for access to the 5G framework. This 5G initiative by the Government will enable MNVOs like us to get involved in helping our country to transit quickly into the new era as we can help by offering new and innovative products and solutions to both local and international markets as well. This is a real game changer for the telco industry, and we need to act quickly to take advantage of this new opportunity. As part of the MVNO community, we are grateful to DNB for creating this fair and equitable 5G connectivity framework not only for the MNOs, but for all the licensed telecommunication operators in Malaysia. We believe this will greatly enhance and speed up the National Digital Economy plans as set forth by the government.”
“As the broadband connectivity become more stable, more accessible and faster, you’ll see more and more adoption of internet of things (IoT) in sectors such as manufacturing, energy, public transport, automotive, banks and healthcare. This is also in-line with the thrust of our National Fourth Industrial Revolution policy (IR 4.0), which encourages the use of automation, robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), machine to machine (M2M) and the IoT. The scope for growth is huge.”
Mohammad Sobri concluded, “We can see the huge potential of 5G adoption and together with Third Telecom, we are strategically positioning ourself to be one of the enablers to bring 5G connectivity to the markets. Revenue and profits aside, this collaboration is also about national duty as Malaysia has been lagging behind in 5G adoption compared to other countries like China, South Korea, US and even the Philippines. It’s time we to catch up.”
Issued by: Aegis Communication on behalf of
EA Holdings BerhadDate: 1st December 2021 Source: AEGIS COMMUNICATION SDN BHDFOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Name: Wong Wan Rou
Designation: Financial Controller
Email: wanrou@eah.com.my
--BERNAMA 
