Speaking at the Celcom Q4 2020 Virtual Media Briefing, Celcom Axiata Berhad’s (Celcom) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Idham Nawawi pointed out that the mobile network provider will focus on addressing the rapid data traffic growth due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
Celcom has invested more than RM250 million into the Accelerated Network Investment Programme and is now in the final stages of completion.
The investments also included setting up a dedicated Rapid Response Team to address Covid-19 challenges, prioritising network coverage, optimisation and upgrading works within rural communities.
The accelerated network investment programme has targeted over 4,700 network sites nationwide to be upgraded and optimised with capacity upgrades, installation of new 4G equipment and core network optimisation programmes.
Additionally, Celcom conducted a nationwide cluster optimisation programme for 3,600 network sites to address video buffering issues and deliver better voice and video quality by August 2021.
“Our accelerated network investments also address challenges amid the Covid-19 movement controls, by rapidly responding to connectivity issues, mostly within rural areas as quickly as possible.
We understand the importance of delivering a consistent network experience across Malaysia, leaving no one behind and protecting the well-being of the Rakyat,” Idham said.
On the other end, Fitch Solutions Country Risk and Industry Research has reported that awarding 5G spectrum and infrastructure buildout rights to a government-owned entity will likely drive wholesale costs higher, hurt operator margins and hamper the development of 5G services in Malaysia.
“Currently, everyone is having opinions on that and there all are mixed in the pot of the opinions. For us, we are having insufficient data and knowledge about that and we will wait and see for what update on the matter,” Idham commented.
