Malaysia’s Maxis and Redtone International have entered into an infrastructure and spectrum sharing agreement to fast track the roll out of their 4G networks.
The two are looking to launch their 4G LTE services early next year in selected areas of the Klang Valley, with other regions to follow closely thereafter.
Maxis said the infrastructure sharing partnership between Maxis and Redtone responds to the Malaysian government’s call for telcos to reduce duplication of network assets, enabling operators to deliver better services.
Its latest network sharing deal will help both operators reduce capex and maximize usage of 4G spectrum, the company claims.
“Our signing with U Mobile in October last year was the first of its kind in Malaysia covering active RAN sharing, and are working towards the full launch of more than 1,300 shared sites in the coming months,” said Maxis CEO, Sandip Das. “This partnership with Redtone will deliver even more benefits to Maxis and the industry.”
Redtone managing director Dato’ Wei Chuan Beng said the agreement helps address the company’s rollout obligation to cover 50% of the country’s population. This is expected to save Redtone an estimated 390 million ringgitt ($122.7 million).
Redtone is expected to launch its mobile broadband services and products riding on the shared network in 2013, which will provide an additional source of revenue to the group, Dato’ Wei added.
Maxis said it has invested some RM3.7 billion ($1.16 billon) in capex over the past three years. As a result, it covers95% of the population with 2G, and 81% with 3G.
Maxis now has 3,400 of its 5,200 3G sites enabled with 42 Mbps capability, the operator said.