DiGi partners with Celcom for 3G bid in Malaysia

OSLO, Norway—Telenor said its Malaysian subsidiary DiGi.Com entered into three joint venture agreements with Technology Resources Industries (TRI), which owns Malaysian mobile operator Celcom, the country’s second-largest operator. The companies will submit a joint bid for third-generation (3G) services in Malaysia.

Malaysia is expected to grant three 3G licenses later this year through a “beauty contest.”

The two Malaysian carriers will also integrate their networks and infrastructure and establish national roaming. DiGi operates a GSM 1800 MHz network, and Celcom has a GSM 900 MHz system.

The agreement will help the two companies better compete with market leader Maxis Communications. Telenor has a 61-percent stake in DiGi.