Malaysian operator U Mobile to bolster HSPA+ service, looks towards LTE

Malaysian 3G operator U Mobile Sdn Bhd said it has signed an agreement with ZTE Corp. to expand its current HSPA+ network as well as begin deploying an LTE network across Malaysia.
ZTE noted that the deal calls for the expansion of U Mobile’s 42 megabit per second HSPA+ network into central, western and northern areas of the country beginning later this year. The companies said they will then begin work on installing a LTE network as soon as spectrum is made available.
The deployment is part of U Mobile’s efforts to support the government’s national Economic Transformation Program that aims to improve broadband access across the country.
Financial terms of the agreement were not released.
In a separate announcement, U Mobile announced a partnership with Alcatel-Lucent to begin trialing femotcell technology. The companies said they expect to commercially launch the offering to consumers following the trial period.