Malaysia’s Maxis will expand its coverage across more rural areas via an agreement with satellite firm MEASAT Broadband.
The carrier has signed as key partner of the MEASAT-5 satellite, which allows high-speed communication over an IP platform. The deal is expected to extend Maxis’ coverage to areas with limited terrestrial infrastructure, with the satellite’s VSAT technology.
The satellite’s capacity is expected to help Maxis provide more cost-effective backhaul for 3G and WiFi in remote areas. The agreement will enable Maxis to offer 2G and 3G services to 95% and 80% of Malaysia’s population respectively.
Maxis has more than 12,600 base stations and 11,000 km of fiber deployed across the country. The deal is expected to help serve the educational, healthcare and agricultural needs of rural communities in Malaysia.