ZTE Malaysia, SACOFA ink MoU to accelerate Sarawak’s digital infrastructure rollout

BARCELONA (March 4): ZTE Corporation through its Malaysian subsidiary ZTE (Malaysia) Corporation Sdn Bhd has signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) with SACOFA Sdn Bhd to strengthen Sarawak’s digital infrastructure in line with the State Government’s PCDS 2030 and Digital Economy 2030 agenda.

In a statement on Wednesday, SACOFA said the collaboration signals a long-term commitment to deliver innovative and sustainable telecommunications solutions across the state with priority given to improving connectivity in rural and remote areas.

“This integrated approach ensures reliable, sustainable, and future-ready connectivity while minimising environmental impact,” it said.

The MoU was signed during the Mobile World Congress 2026 held in Barcelona, Spain.

Under the framework, both parties will explore the deployment of next-generation connectivity solutions, including rural pilot base stations for scalable coverage expansion, advanced fibre access technologies such as GPON and XGS-PON, and high-speed Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) to speed up last-mile connectivity.

The initiative also covers trusted public Wi-Fi platforms aligned with government security standards.

To address infrastructure constraints in remote regions, the partnership will incorporate hybrid microwave and satellite backhaul architectures, solar and hybrid-powered green energy systems, as well as intelligent remote monitoring platforms to support autonomous operations.

Furthermore, the integrated approach is aimed at accelerating broadband access to homes, longhouses, schools, healthcare facilities and businesses, particularly in areas where conventional fibre deployment remains logistically challenging.

ZTE Malaysia said the ongoing network modernisation initiative with SACOFA is progressing according to plan, having met key implementation milestones while supporting Sarawak’s broader digital transformation objectives.

Its managing director Steven Ge said the company is committed to supporting Sarawak’s digital transformation by delivering scalable and secure connectivity solutions tailored to the state’s diverse geographical landscape.

“By combining advanced fibre access, high-performance FWA, trusted public Wi-Fi platforms, integrated rural base stations, and smart green energy systems, we aim to deliver scalable, secure connectivity solutions tailored to Sarawak’s diverse landscape.

“The continued success of our network modernisation collaboration with SACOFA reflects our shared commitment to technological excellence, execution discipline and long-term partnership,” he said.

SACOFA chief executive officer Jafer Sadig Abdul Lathiff added that Sarawak’s aspiration to become a high-income and digitally advanced state requires forward-looking infrastructure strategies and trusted technology partnerships.

“Through this strengthened collaboration with ZTE Malaysia, we are accelerating rural connectivity via fibre, FWA and secure public Wi-Fi platforms, ensuring inclusive access to digital services for all Sarawakians,” he added.

He added that strong technology collaboration is crucial to advancing the state’s PCDS 2030 and Sarawak Digital Economy 2030 goals, while reinforcing SACOFA’s role as Sarawak’s leading telecommunications infrastructure provider and connectivity hub.