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Malaysia Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has launched a Huawei Technologies (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (Huawei Malaysia) telecommunications network device named Huawei RuralStar Pro to overcome technical challenges and connect remote areas that lack access to good communication infrastructure.

Huawei RuralStar Pro uses wireless technology that does not require a line-of-sight to connect to a nearby telecommunications transmitter tower, making it cost-effective and ideal for the rural landscape. Huawei RuralStar Pro focuses on providing 4G LTE connections in rural areas, similar to those in the city.

The Huawei RuralStar Pro technology requires only two solar panels to supply energy to the entire operating system, providing voice calls and internet access. For the RuralStar Pro site in Bera to be launched today, Huawei collaborates with Celcom Axiata Berhad as the first telecommunications service provider and leverages on its widest network coverage for the users.

The launch was officiated by Prime Minister Yaakob, accompanied by Michael Yuan, CEO at Huawei Malaysia; Datuk Idham Nawawi, CEO at Celcom Axiata Berhad; and Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din, Interim Chairman Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). It was held at the Dewan Konvensyen Majlis Daerah Bera and was witnessed by over 1,000 guests comprising students, parents and Bera residents.

The launch is in line with the Prime Minister’s aspiration to intensify the rural urbanisation agenda to spur development and eradicate poverty. The launch ceremony also involved the distribution of 200 Huawei tablets along with Celcom SIM Cards to students around Bera to ensure that no one is left behind in the digital revolution.

The Prime Minister, in his keynote address, said the launch of new technologies such as the Huawei RuralStar Pro is vital to bring connectivity to hard-to-reach communities.

“When the digitalisation gap can be narrowed by the availability of technologies such as the Huawei RuralStar Pro, digital skills from all walks of life can be nurtured and inculcated so that our workforce of the future has high levels of competitiveness.”

He added: “Huawei RuralStar Pro is a catalytic technology that can help our Keluarga Malaysia improve their daily standards of living and their digital footprints for the future.”

“Celcom is privileged to be given the trust to be the first telecommunications service provider working with Huawei in realising the deployment of RuralStar Pro to further applaud our national aspiration to be a sustainable digital nation by providing Internet access for the underserved areas,” said Nawawi. “As the leading telecommunications service provider for the last 34 years, Celcom continuously strives to provide the widest network coverage and remains committed in investing on latest technologies which are affordable by Malaysians to ensure equal access for all.”

“In the near future, this technology will also be expanded to other underserved areas nationwide to allow connectivity for more users. We believe, with a synergistic collaboration with the federal and state government, regulator and industry partners, we will be able to achieve a win-win-win situation for the rakyat, government and industry,” Idham added.

Yuan said Huawei RuralStar Pro is one of the latest products from Huawei’s continuous investments in research and development which features powerful functions, fast deployment and low costs. According to him, Huawei RuralStar Pro “allows telcos to provide telecommunications services, assisting in everyday activities as well as education in rural areas.”

Commenting further, Yuan said Huawei hopes the RuralStrar Pro can provide internet access in Malaysia’s remote areas in an effort to provide more online opportunities such as education, medicine and employment. He also stressed that Huawei remains committed to enriching the digital lives of people in Malaysia and continues to work on innovative solutions to connect the world.

“Huawei Malaysia hopes to implement strategies for development, not only in response to changing needs, but also as an active and participating agent to drive intellectual, social and economic changes. I believe Malaysia can become the Asean Digital Hub by making the nation a Digital Infrastructure Hub, Digital Talent Hub and a Digital Ecosystem Hub,” Yuan said. “Of these, the most important core is the ICT Infrastructure, Hub which is the foundation of the future digital economy. The two important engines of digital infrastructure are Super Connectivity and Super Computing, which of course cannot thrive or survive without an immune system, which is Cyber Security. Huawei plays a part in all these aspects and will continue working with the Government and private sector in the digital transformation of the country.”

Since its global launch, Huawei RuralStar Pro has been used in 110 telecommunications networks around the world for the benefit of the public in rural areas with limited digital technology. This is in line with Huawei’s global mission and vision of bringing digital to every person, home and organisation for a fully connected, intelligent world.

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