05/03/2026

BIZ & FINANCE THURSDAY | MAR 5, 2026

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U Mobile signs MoU with ZTE to deploy AIR Core

“Malaysia is strategically located close to our customers, supported by a strong workforce and a cooperative policy environment. These factors allow us to invest with confidence and plan for long-term growth,” he said. Looking ahead, he said GE Aerospace expects APAC to remain one of the fastest-growing aviation markets globally, driven by fleet expansion, new airline entrants and increasing adoption of fuel-efficient LEAP engines, which offer about 15 per cent lower fuel burn versus CFM56 engines. “We are investing not just to meet today’s demand, but to future-proof our operations in Malaysia and the region,” he added. – Bernama ZTE, Sacofa ink MoU to boost Sarawak’s digital infrastructure KUCHING: ZTE Corporation has signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MOU) with SACOFA Sdn Bhd to advance Sarawak’s digital infrastructure and support the state government’s PCDS 2030 and Digital Economy 2030 objectives. ZTE is a global leading provider of integrated information and communication technology solutions. The MOU was signed during the Mobile World Congress 2026 held in Barcelona, Spain. Both parties said the strategic collaboration demonstrates a long term commitment to providing innovative and sustainable telecommunications solutions for the state of Sarawak, with a focus on expanding reliable connectivity to rural and remote areas. “This integrated approach ensures reliable, sustainable, and future-ready connectivity while minimising environmental impact. Under the strategic framework, ZTE and SACOFA will explore deploying an integrated suite of next-generation connectivity solutions, including rural pilot base stations designed for efficient and scalable coverage expansion and high-speed fixed wireless access (FWA) solutions for rapid last-mile connectivity,” both parties said in a joint statement. To address infrastructure constraints in remote regions, the partnership will also incorporate hybrid microwave and satellite backhaul architectures, solar and hybrid-powered green energy systems, and intelligent remote monitoring platforms for autonomous operations. ZTE Malaysia managing director Steven Ge said ZTE is proud to support the Sarawak government’s digital transformation journey. “By combining advanced fibre access, high-performance FWA, trusted public Wi-Fi platforms, integrated rural base stations, and smart green energy systems, we aim to deliver scalable, secure connectivity solutions tailored to Sarawak’s diverse landscape,” he said.

maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) expansion strategy, as the aerospace major prepares for sustained growth in post-pandemic air travel demand. The company has committed up to US$1 billion (RM3.9 billion) globally to expand MRO capacity, with Malaysia receiving a growing share of capital allocation to support rising engine service requirements from airlines across the region. GE Aerospace executive director for Asia Pacific and offloads overhaul leader Suresh Shunmugam said the rebound in air travel after the Covid-19 pandemic has outpaced the industry’s ability to add capacity, which is driving urgent KUALA LUMPUR: U Mobile, Malaysia’s newest 5G network provider, announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with ZTE (Malaysia) Corporation (ZTE), a global leading provider of integrated information and communication technology solutions. The collaboration will see U Mobile leverage ZTE’s AIR Core solution, a next-generation, AI-driven core network platform designed for the 5G-Advanced (5G A) and 6G era, to pilot AI-driven capabilities within its 5G network. The initiative aims to improve U Mobile’s network efficiency, stability, and performance, while laying the foundation for the company to transition its network from cloud-native to AI-native by deploying AI and Digital Twin Technologies within its 5G core. Under the MoU, U Mobile and ZTE will jointly conduct planning and feasibility studies for AIR Core use cases, focusing on three initiatives. Under the MoU, U Mobile and ZTE will jointly study the feasibility of AIR Core use cases, particularly the integration of AI with the Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF) to enable a more intelligent, data-driven core network that improves traffic prediction, optimises resources, and ensures a consistent user experience during peak periods. Both companies will also embed AI integration with the User Plane Function (UPF), which will enable intelligent service identification, using Large Language Model (LLM) o Next-generation platform to pilot AI-driven capabilities within 5G network

U Mobile CEO Wong Heang Tuck (2nd from left) and Woon (fourth from left) posing with Choong (fifth from left) at the signing ceremony.

repair technologies, complementing Malaysia’s engine overhaul expansion. Suresh said a significant portion of GE Aerospace’s investment will be directed towards workforce development, including upskilling existing employees, expanding apprenticeship programmes and attracting young talent. GE Aerospace employs more than 700 people in Malaysia. Malaysia will receive targeted support via the GE Aerospace Foundation, which has committed US$30 million globally to skilled workforce development, including a US$125,000 grant last year to collaborate with Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology (UniKL MIAT) to strengthen industry-ready talent pipelines. Suresh said Malaysia’s strong the company and U Mobile to build the next generation of intelligent networks. “With AIR Core, we are not just introducing advanced AI capabilities but working closely with U Mobile to explore practical use cases that enhance efficiency, stability and service innovation. “By combining our global expertise with U Mobile’s forward looking 5G strategy, we aim to co create an AI-native network foundation that supports both enterprise growth and Malaysia’s broader digital transformation agenda,” he said. The MoU was formalised between Woon and ZTE Malaysia’s general manager of Office 2 Alexander Choong at MWC Barcelona 2026, and witnessed by senior representatives from each organisation. This is one of four MoUs that U Mobile has signed at MWC this year.

ZTE is in line with that vision, as its AIR Core solution brings advanced AI capabilities that strengthen network efficiency and resilience. “Through the feasibility studies, we will be able to see how AI-driven capabilities will enhance performance for consumers through more reliable and seamless connectivity, and for enterprises by providing the predictability required for business-critical applications. “With AIR Core’s Digital Twin technologies, we can simulate and validate new applications and configurations before deployment, accelerating time to-market for enterprise solutions. This initiative is also an extension of our commitment to support the nation’s digital transformation agenda, in line with the Thirteenth Malaysia Plan,” he said. ZTE Malaysia managing director Steven Ge said this collaboration reflects a shared ambition between

Malaysia plays a critical role in helping us build the capacity needed to support our customers in APAC and beyond,” he told Bernama in an exclusive interview recently. GE Aerospace invested US$75 million in Asia Pacific last year, and US$45 million in 2024, with further funding planned in the coming years as part of a multi-year expansion programme. The US$75 million investment will be channelled towards doubling the company’s physical footprint in Malaysia, acquiring new equipment and machinery, and building a second state-of-the-art engine test facility in Sepang, the only facility of its kind in the country. capabilities to support self-updating Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) databases for faster detection of new services and protocols, allowing the network to adapt in real time while creating new monetisation opportunities. Further, U Mobile and ZTE will integrate AI into operations, enabling automation across the core network, improving efficiency, stability and service quality while strengthening resilience and security through intelligent threat detection and anomaly monitoring across U Mobile’s 5G Core infrastructure. U Mobile chief technology officer Woon Ooi Yuen said the telco provider is evolving its 5G core from a cloud-native architecture to an intelligent, AI-native network as part of the company’s overall network strategy to deliver greater stability and customer experience. “Our latest collaboration with

GE Aerospace ramps up APAC investment with Malaysia as MRO hub KUALA LUMPUR: GE Aerospace has accelerated investments in Asia Pacific (APAC) with Malaysia as the cornerstone for its regional demand for engine after-services. “As airlines expand fleets and flying hours, the demand for engine services increases. The expansion is expected to double GE Aerospace Malaysia’s engine overhaul capacity annually by 2027, once the new facilities are fully operational. talent pool, collaborative government agencies and supportive aerospace ecosystem continue to make it an attractive investment destination.

“Doubling our footprint does not simply mean holding more engines at one time. The focus is on increasing throughput by turning engines around faster, improving efficiency and delivering higher value to our customers,” Suresh said. The current facility at Subang plans to increase throughput through process optimisation and advanced tooling significantly. The company’s three facilities across Singapore account for over 60 per cent of worldwide component repairs. Its Singapore facility at Seletar Aerospace Park will also be upgraded into a research centre for advanced