Kuala Lumpur, 4 February 2025 - U Mobile, Malaysia’s future second 5G network provider, has set a groundbreaking benchmark in the telecommunications industry by achieving over 120Mbps seamless 5G network coverage during a trial across the entire 13.5-kilometre span of the iconic first Penang Bridge using Huawei’s cutting-edge Meta Active Antenna Unit (MetaAAU) technology.
As one of the world’s longest sea-crossing bridges, it has been challenging for consumers to get consistent coverage due to network engineering hurdles because of its length and fluctuating traffic patterns. The industry took years to resolve these challenges, requiring the installation of a 4G base station in the middle of the bridge to maintain connectivity. U Mobile, however, has redefined this approach with 5G-Advanced technology as well as innovative network engineering. U Mobile effectively addressed these limitations by applying Huawei’s MetaAAU technology, which uses an Extremely Large Antenna Array (ELAA) and beamforming algorithms to double antenna elements, enhancing coverage distance and improving edge user experience by over 30 percent. The MetaAAU sites are strategically positioned at each end of the Penang Bridge, eliminating the need for a base station in the middle of the bridge while delivering a seamless network experience.
MetaAAU also features an innovative “0 Bit 0 Watt” mode, which allows modules to shut down up to a rate as high as 99 percent during low-traffic periods, ensuring optimal energy efficiency without affecting performance. This capability makes it especially suited for locations like the first Penang Bridge, where traffic fluctuates between day and night. The system can reactivate within minutes when traffic demand increases, ensuring optimal energy use while maintaining efficient, high-quality performance.
As a result, the trial demonstrated that users experienced network speeds of minimum 120Mbps, with an average of 597Mbps and zero dropped calls even at vehicle speeds of 80km/h, significantly outperforming legacy 4G solutions. Once the 5G network is commercialised and made available to the public, passengers and commuters on the first Penang Bridge can enjoy smooth 4K video viewing, seamless short video switching, immersive game experiences, and even HD live broadcasts.
“As Malaysia’s future second 5G network provider, U Mobile is delighted to have successfully completed this 5G trial with Huawei as it demonstrates our ability to leverage next gen technologies to significantly improve connectivity experiences for Malaysia. This trial showcases our commitment to innovation and reflects our capability to roll out the nation’s second 5G network efficiently and effectively, ensuring seamless connectivity even in challenging environments. With 5G-A, we will be able to provide future enterprise use cases along the bridge, such as road safety services, surveillance with AI capabilities, and drones for emergency situations,” said Woon Ooi Yuen, Chief Technology Officer of U Mobile.
“The successful deployment of Huawei’s MetaAAU on the Penang Bridge marks a significant milestone in advancing Malaysia’s telecommunications capabilities. Huawei’s MetaAAU addresses real-world challenges by delivering reliable 5G connectivity where it’s needed most. This achievement reinforces our strong partnership with U Mobile and our shared commitment to fast-tracking Malaysia’s digital transformation, enabling operators like U Mobile to drive the development of advanced telecom services,” said Mr Zac Chow, Vice President of Huawei Technologies (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (Huawei Malaysia) Carrier Network Business Group.
