Malaysian 5G operator U Mobile and Axiata’s telecoms infrastructure company Edotco announced that they have deployed and launched U Mobile’s Ultra5G service inside the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Kuala Lumpur City Centre.
U Mobile said the deployment – which leverages Edotco’s 5G in-building coverage infrastructure – makes the Mandarin Oriental the first hotel in Malaysia to have full 5G coverage on every floor, including ballrooms, meeting rooms, event venues and shared guest areas.
U Mobile added that the Ultra5G network is able to support potential applications such as 4K livestreaming for conferences and ultra-immersive virtual meetings, made possible by the network’s low latency, high capacity and network slicing ability.
U Mobile CTO Woon Ooi Yuen said the Mandarin Oriental deployment will serve as a showcase for 5G smart hotel applications and boost the the hotel and MICE [meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions] sector “with advantages such as improved efficiency, safety and guest experience as well as unlocking the potential for experiences like 4K conference livestreaming or ultra-immersive virtual meetings.”
“By offering this platform, Edotco is ensuring that building owners, operators and tech providers can connect seamlessly, unlocking better digital experiences for Malaysians while driving broader economic benefits for the nation,” added Gayan Koralage, Edotco’s director of Malaysia business.
Mohd Salem Kailany, CEO of KLCC Property Holdings (which owns the Mandarin Oriental and other properties in Kuala Lumpur City Centre), said that the availability of 5G at the hotel “is a key step in future-proofing guest experience, strengthening Kuala Lumpur City Centre’s position as a premier destination for hospitality, MICE, and tourism.”
The Mandarin Oriental launch is the latest manifestation of U Mobile’s strategy to push indoor coverage at strategic locations as a key differentiator for its Ultra5G service, which was officially launched last month.
Yuen said the Mandarin Oriental was the first of many planned indoor deployments with Edotco. “Together we will bring the Ultra5G experience to more high impact locations nationwide, including airports, hospitals and convention centres, underlining our commitment to provide the widest and deepest 5G coverage in Malaysia.”
Edotco signed on with U Mobile as a preferred 5G in-building coverage (IBC) infrastructure partner at this year’s Mobile World Congress, following a 5G partnership deal signed last year. U Mobile has also signed on EdgePoint Infrastructure and OCK Telco Infra (a subsidiary of Malaysian telecoms network solutions provider and regional towerco OCK Group) as preferred 5G IBC partners.
U Mobile is targeting 80% 5G coverage of populated areas by the second half of 2026.
