Malaysia’s largest mobile network operator by subscribers, Maxis Mobile, claims to have become the first cellco in the country to have more than 5,000 3G base stations spanning both East and West Malaysia. According to the operator its 3G footprint covers more than 80% of the Malaysian population, with some 21 million customers able to access its third-generation mobile offerings. The level of coverage, Maxis said, was the result of a large-scale expansion project started in 2010, under which the cellco said it has now spent more than MYR1.4 billion (USD462 million). Commenting on the achievement Maxis CEO Sandip Das said: ‘Over the last two years we have worked hard at revamping our system, modernising our network, creating new transmission and building our IP networks to prepare ourselves for the surge in demand for data and broadband … The strength and quality of our coverage will help bring to life the rich content, applications, downloads and relevant services that Maxis can offer, across a wider footprint than any other service provider in Malaysia. This leadership position in wireless broadband complements Maxis’ leadership in fibre footprint and strategically positions us as an integrated player. It provides us with the capability to offer seamless experience regardless of the delivery and access network to our customers.’
Looking further forward, the company confirmed that, having recently completed trials of Long Term Evolution (LTE), a deployment of the technology could be on the cards in the coming months. The cellco started tests of LTE in a laboratory environment in June 2010, and has since begun live field testing at four sites in Klang Valley, those being: Bandar Utama, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Damansara Utama and Damansara Jaya.