DiGi appoints ZTE to Deploy LTE | DiGi LTE First in Malaysia

SHAH ALAM, KUALA LUMPUR, 28 APRIL 2011: DiGi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd (DiGi) today announced the appointment of ZTE Corporation (ZTE) to build a unified mobile network that will provide DiGi with fully transformed 2G/3G/4G network starting third quarter this year.

This brand new network will be immediately capable of delivering download speeds of up to 42Mbps using HSPA+ and thereafter up to 4 times faster when the 4G/LTE (Long Term Evolution) spectrum becomes available. This will result in a major enhancement of network quality and efficiency, enabling improved customer experience, and strengthening DiGi's competitiveness.

The partnership was formalized today at a signing ceremony witnessed by YAB Dato' Seri Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia and H.E. Mr. Wen Jiabao, Premier of China. Henrik Clausen, Chief Executive Officer of DiGi said, "This brand new LTE-ready network will allow our customers to enjoy cutting edge mobile speeds, increased capacity and improve quality of service.

This is part of DiGi's commitment to enhance customer's connectivity experience and enable richer applications on the mobile platform." Under this partnership, DiGi will modernise its nationwide network with ZTE's unified Radio Access Network (RAN) platform which is capable of delivering 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE from a single base station site. In addition, the company will upgrade its Core network, Transmission network and parts of its Value-Added Services platform. This exercise will involve over 5,000 existing sites in the next 2 years, with new ones being added for improved capacity and coverage.

 ZTE will also provide planning, roll-out, optimisation, and operational readiness services up to final acceptance and handover to DiGi. The new network will feature a simplified architecture and convergence in service platforms, resulting in improved operational efficiency, and service provisioning times. "We are pleased to cooperate with DiGi in developing next-generation mobile broadband in Malaysia" said Mr. Bang Zheng, President of Asia-Pacific Region of ZTE Corporation, "With DiGi's strong brand and high service levels, Malaysian customers will experience the most advanced internet and data services.

ZTE will continue to support DiGi with technology innovations to provide local users with the fastest network." Clausen further explained that steps taken to modernise its network will help expedite DiGi's goal to reduce its carbon footprint. "By using newer equipment with enhanced technology, we will be able to achieve better energy utilization and efficiencies, resulting in up to 50% energy savings network-wide over the next five years as part of our commitment to address climate change." He added, "This new network model is yet another example of how we will continue to raise the bar. Once completed, it will be the cornerstone of both our efforts to bring new products into the market and also increase our operational efficiency."

 Issued by: Corporate Communications Department.

p/s: Hopefully the first LTE from DiGi successful =)