Malaysian telco CelcomDigi said on Tuesday it has renewed its partnerships with tower companies Edotco Group, Edgepoint Infrastructure, D’Harmoni Telco Infra and PDC Telecommunication Services as part of its ongoing project to integrate and modernise its network.
CelcomDigi said it has reshaped key terms in the renewed agreements to future-proof its infrastructure for the digital era, as well as enable “fast rollout, wide coverage, and innovative growth opportunities”.
CelcomDigi added that it has also established a new collaborative framework with its towerco partners to explore next-generation digital connectivity solutions such as street furniture and in-building solutions that could help the network support exponential data growth.
CelcomDigi’s RM4 billion (US$846 million) network integration and modernisation project has been underway since June 2023, around seven months after the merger between Celcom Axiata and Digi Telecommunications was approved by the boards of both companies in November 2022.
CelcomDigi said the project is now close to 70% complete, with over 10,500 sites modernised by the end of October, covering over 65% of its customer base. The telco aims to complete 75% of network upgrades by end of this year, which would be ahead of its target. CelcomDigi aims to establish 18,000 5G-ready sites across Malaysia by 2026.
CelcomDigi CEO Idham Nawawi said that the telco’s partnerships with towercos have been pivotal in driving the project.
"Efforts to strengthen long-term partnerships with tower companies are key to developing a robust network infrastructure," he said in a statement. "With trusted partners who possess proven capabilities and extensive reach, we are ensuring the rapid rollout of sites to complete the largest network integration and modernisation exercise in the country, delivering excellent service to customers across more areas nationwide."