Malaysian mobile carrier Maxis has been tasked with supporting the deployment of fiber backhaul to telecom towers in the state of Melaka.

The telco confirmed it has been selected by Melaka ICT Holdings (MICTH) to support MICTH's plans to digitialize its infrastructure as part of plans to develop a high-capacity, robust, and low-latency network architecture.

As part of the agreement, Maxis will upgrade MICTH-owned telco towers, transitioning them from microwave backhaul to an advanced high-capacity optical fiber network.

According to Maxis, this will "create a robust digital backbone capable of supporting faster, more reliable, and secure 4G and 5G services while enhancing overall network performance throughout the state."

The agreement was finalized last week.

In total, Maxis will support Melaka's plans to expand fiber connectivity across 40 percent of its telecom towers to 80 percent, covering 151 towers as part of an investment worth around RM30 million ($7.4m).

“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," said Dr. Nazdiana binti Ab Wahab, chief executive officer of MICTH.

"The partnership underscores the importance of public-private collaboration in strengthening Melaka’s digital infrastructure and advancing the state’s digitalization agenda."

Maxis added that the partnership will support the region's ability to keep up with the AI traffic demands.

"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," said Goh Seow Eng, chief executive officer of Maxis.

The company notes that the fiber upgrades at these tower sites also pave the way for the future high-speed broadband expansion into surrounding residential and commercial areas.

Maxis will also leverage its wholesale expertise to offer mobile backhaul services to other mobile network operators.