Melaka ICT Holdings (MICTH) has officially designated Maxis as its Strategic Infrastructure Partner to fast-track the state’s digital advancement through the fiberization of telecommunications towers. This effort supports the digitalization objectives outlined in the Smart Melaka Blueprint 2035, ensuring Melaka stays at the forefront of the digital economy with a high-capacity, reliable, and low-latency network.
As part of the agreement, Maxis will enhance MICTH-owned telecom towers by shifting them from microwave backhaul to an advanced high-capacity optical fiber network. This implementation will establish a strong digital infrastructure capable of providing faster, more dependable, and secure 4G and 5G services, while improving overall network performance throughout the state.
The partnership was officially announced during a ceremony at Kompleks Seri Negeri, Melaka, attended by Melaka’s Chief Minister, YAB Datuk Seri Utama Ab Rauf bin Yusoh, and Datuk Fairul Nizam bin Roslan, the State Exco for Science, Technology, Innovation & Digital Communication. The agreement was signed by Dr. Nazdiana binti Ab Wahab, CEO of MICTH, and Goh Seow Eng, CEO of Maxis.
AB Datuk Seri Utama Ab Rauf bin Yusoh, Chief Minister of Melaka, stated:
Melaka is strengthening its digital infrastructure by expanding fiber-optic connectivity across telecommunications towers from 40% to 80%, covering 151 towers with an investment around MYR 30 million. This initiative supports the aspirations of the Smart Melaka Blueprint 2035, which emphasizes the development of a “Digital Highway” as a key foundation for the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, smart cities, and the digital economy. The initiative is being implemented inclusively to ensure that its benefits reach the Rakyat, further positioning Melaka as a smarter, more competitive, and digitally ready state.
Dr. Nazdiana binti Ab Wahab, Chief Executive Officer of MICTH, said:
Strategic collaboration with Maxis will accelerate the migration of MICTH-owned telecommunications sites from microwave-based connectivity to high-capacity fiber networks, enhancing network performance and supporting growing digital demands across the state. The partnership underscores the importance of public-private collaboration in strengthening Melaka’s digital infrastructure and advancing the state’s digitalization agenda.
Goh Seow Eng, Chief Executive Officer of Maxis, added:
We view this project as a critical milestone in our partnership with MICTH. By fiberizing these sites, we are laying the foundation for a future-proof ecosystem. This network offers the scalability needed to meet the exponential rise in data demand, providing the high-speed, low-latency backbone that mobile connectivity and AI traffic demands.
In addition to upgrading mobile connectivity, the deployment of fiber infrastructure is set to benefit the larger community. Once these sites are modernized, they are expected to act as crucial access points, facilitating future high-speed broadband expansion into nearby residential and commercial areas. This ensures that the investment in current infrastructure will lead to ongoing digital enhancements for the residents and businesses of Melaka.
Furthermore, as the strategic partner, Maxis will utilize its wholesale capabilities to provide mobile backhaul services to other mobile network operators (MNOs), promoting a competitive yet cooperative environment that optimizes infrastructure sharing throughout the state.
This agreement further develops the longstanding partnership between MICTH and Maxis, building on the commitments made in their October 2024 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to improve broadband connectivity across the state. Both parties remain committed to continuing the expansion of Melaka’s core infrastructure to create a sustainable, resilient, and digitally enabled smart state.
