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- U Mobile and ZTE have tested a portable off-grid 5G network site in Sabah and Sarawak that can operate without grid electricity or fibre connectivity.
The proof-of-concept uses solar panels, battery storage and satellite backhaul to connect the site to U Mobile’s core network. It was tested at SK Mentu in Sebuyau, Sarawak, and Balai Kebudayaan Iburu in Sipitang, Sabah.
Instead of a conventional telecom tower, the setup uses a lightweight 12-metre pole and supports both 4G and 5G services. U Mobile said the battery system can operate for up to 52 hours without sunlight, depending on the configuration.
During live testing, the sites recorded peak download speeds of up to 134Mbps.
One of the more interesting parts of this trial is the deployment time. U Mobile said the portable site could be installed and activated within three days, compared with conventional rural tower deployments that can take much longer because of site acquisition, tower construction, transmission links and grid power requirements.
Satellite backhaul is especially useful in rural areas where fibre is not available, while the solar-powered setup removes the need for a direct electricity connection.
The concept could also be useful during emergencies or natural disasters if existing mobile infrastructure or power supply is disrupted.
For now, this remains a proof-of-concept. U Mobile has not announced how many such sites could be deployed commercially, what each site would cost, or whether this exact configuration will become part of its wider ULTRA5G rollout.
Full article:
MalaysianWireless.com
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