U Mobile has previously received approval from MCMC to develop the second 5G network infrastructure in Malaysia. In parallel, U Mobile is now collaborating with Huawei to conduct tests on the Penang Bridge, using Huawei's latest technology, namely the Meta Active Antenna Unit (MetaAAU).
Through the tests conducted, 5G coverage speeds of up to 120Mbps were recorded, covering the 13.5-kilometer Penang Bridge area.
The location was chosen for the test as the area is ready to face challenges in offering consistent coverage - due to being over the ocean. Previously, 4G coverage was successfully implemented in the area by installing a transmitter in the middle of the bridge. However, U Mobile through its collaboration with Huawei and the use of MetaAAU allows the transmitter to be positioned at the corners of the bridge, and provide full coverage, without the need for a transmitter in the middle of the bridge.
The MetaAAU system also comes with good energy efficiency support, making it easy for it to optimize the beam based on traffic conditions.
U Mobile's test also successfully showed that there were no problems with voice calls when moving at a speed of 80km/h on the bridge.
At present, it is not known when U Mobile will officially begin the development of the second 5G network infrastructure in Malaysia.