Langkawi will host a majority of 5G demonstration projects for the next generation cellular technology, according to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
Its chairman Al-Ishal Ishak said 55 projects will be showcased at 32 sites across six states: Kedah, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Perak, Pulau Pinang and Terengganu.
The projects will run for six months, starting tomorrow (Oct 1) till March 30.
Eight companies – mostly local telcos – and six ministries will demonstrate the use of 5G in nine fields, namely agriculture, education, entertainment and media, digital healthcare, manufacturing and processing, oil and gas, smart cities, smart transportation and tourism.
Al-Ishal said Langkawi will be the testbed for seven of the nine fields – all except manufacturing, and oil and gas – which will be showcased exclusively in Perak and Terengganu, respectively.
He explained that the island located across Kedah was ideal for outdoor 5G testing as it was relatively remote, fully wired by TM’s fibre network and is close enough to Thailand to experience signal interference.
“This makes Langkawi the perfect testbed like Isla Nublar in Jurassic Park,” he joked, during the briefing at MCMC’s headquarters in Cyberjaya.
He said that the six states were chosen based on proposals by industry players. More states may be chosen as testbeds in the near future, with ongoing discussions for participation from Sabah and Sarawak.
The cost will be borne by the companies, with Altel Communications, Celcom Axiata Bhd, Digi.Com Berhad, Edotco Group Sdn Bhd, Maxis Bhd, Petronas, Telekom Malaysia Bhd and U Mobile Sdn Bhd to collectively invest RM116mil for the projects.
Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/tech/tech-news/2019/09/30/langkawi-will-be-the-main-testbed-for-5g-demonstration-projects-which-start-tomorrow#uSR5SwSAh52clggR.99