DiGi Telecommuniccations 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 network will be immediately capable of delivering download speeds of up to 42Mbps using HSPA+ and thereafter up to four 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 formalised 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, CEO, DiGi said, “This 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 managed services to maintain the unified network. 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 Bang Zheng, president, Asia Pacific region, 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.”