U Mobile

Not to be confused with LG Uplus.
See also: Telecommunications in Malaysia

U Mobile Sdn. Bhd.
Company typePrivate limited company
IndustryMobile Telecommunications
Founded1998 (As MiTV Networks Sdn. Bhd.)
HeadquartersBerjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Key people
Tan Sri Vincent Tan
Wong Heang Tuck (CEO)
ProductsMobile Data
Mobile Telephony
Mobile Multimedia
Number of employees
700+
ParentST Telemedia (35%)
U Television Sdn. Bhd. (21%)
Ibrahim Iskandar of Johor (15%)
MPHB Capital Berhad (6%)
Websitehttps://www.u.com.my/

U Mobile Sdn. Bhd. (223969-U) is a Malaysian mobile telecommunications service provider and was founded in 1998 as MiTV Networks Sdn Bhd. U Mobile is a wholly owned subsidiary of U Television Sdn Bhd, which was formerly known as U Telecom Media Holdings Sdn Bhd and MiTV Corporation Sdn Bhd.

The company utilises the 018 and 011 prefix allocated to the organisation by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), although with the implementation of mobile number portability mandated by the Malaysian government this does not apply to subscribers who switched from their old mobile service provider over to U Mobile.[1]

As of January 2023, U Mobile has 8.5 million subscribers. U mobile subscribers has cross the 9 million mark by end of 2023.

Products and services

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Postpaid

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U Postpaid

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U Postpaid is a 5G plan that was introduced to replace the Unlimited Hero Postpaid. There are three types: U Postpaid 38, U Postpaid 68 and U Postpaid 98. U Postpaid 38 has been upgraded to 60 GB of data from 30 GB of data, while U Postpaid 68 and 98 are having 100 GB and 1 TB of data separately. All U Postpaid plans come with unlimited calls and Ultra Hotspot 5G. Besides, U Postpaid 68 and 98 are equipped with free 15 GB roaming data and calls, which can be used in over 63 countries.[2][3][4]

Unlimited Hero Postpaid

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Unlimited Hero Postpaid is an old postpaid plan from U Mobile and there are three plans: P79, P99 and P139. P79 has a 20 GB of all-usage data, and comes with multiple add-ons, including video, music, chat and Waze for unlimited uses. P99 and P139 both come with unlimited high-speed data with a total of 30 GB and 50 GB hotspot data separately. Three plans are having unlimited calls and 3 GB roaming data, which can be used in over 12 Asian countries, except for P79 having 1 GB roaming data. P139 users also gotten a free upgrade on 11 Sep 2022 to access to 5G data for free.[5][6][7]

Giler Unlimited Postpaid (GX)

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GX Postpaid is a cheaper postpaid plan with two types: GX50 and GX68. Both plans come with unlimited data and calls, with a 5 GB hotspot. GX50 has a speed cap of 5 Mbps, while GX68 has no speed cap, but none of them can connect to 5G network.[8][9]

Prepaid

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U Prepaid

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U Prepaid are alike to U Postpaid, since both of them are 5G plans. U Prepaid has three plans: Prepaid U25, Prepaid U35 and Prepaid U40. All three U Prepaid plans come with unlimited data and calls, with FUP. U25 has a FUP of 30 GB, while U35 and U40 have a FUP of 100 GB, data usage after FUP limits will be reduced to 512 kbps. U25 has a data speed of 3 Mbps, and U35 and U40 have a data speed of 6 Mbps. U25 has no hotspot, U35 has a 3 GB of hotspot and U40 has a 3 GB of hotspot with a hotspot limit sharing from the data. U25 users can access to 5G network an hour per day, and U35 and U40 users can access to 5G network every weekend.[10][11]

Giler Unlimited Prepaid (GX)

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GX Prepaid is U Mobile's old prepaid plan, with four types: GX12, GX30, GX38 and GX43. GX12 is on a weekly-basis, with unlimited internet and calls. GX30, GX38 and GX43 are monthly plans, with 6 Mbps and 12 Mbps unlimited data and 6 GB hotspot, the only difference is GX38 and GX43 has unlimited calls. [12][13]

Networks

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U Mobile operate 4G LTE and 4G LTE-A networks.

As of 2015, U Mobile claimed to have 95% population coverage from a combination of over 10,000 sites of 3G and 4G LTE own-built, 3G RAN share and 2G Domestic Roaming with Maxis.[14] U mobile 2g domestic roaming is currently running on Celcom network since 2019.

3G RAN share was previously in collaboration with Maxis Communications since October 2011 but ended on 27 October 2018, due to U Mobile being awarded additional spectrum of 2x15MHz of 1800 MHz bands and 2x5MHz of 900 MHz bands in 2016.[14]

Frequencies used on U Mobile Network in Malaysia
Band Frequency Frequency Width Protocol Notes
8 900 MHz (900~905, 945~950) 2 * 5 MHz LTE (expiry June 2032)
3 1800 MHz (1730~1745, 1825~1840) 2 * 15 MHz LTE / LTE-A (expiry June 2032)
1 2100 MHz (1920~1935, 2110~2125)

(1915~1920)

2 * 15 MHz

5 MHz

LTE (expiry April 2034)
7 2600 MHz (2520~2530, 2640~2650) 2 * 10 MHz LTE / LTE-A

5G Networks

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U Mobile users can now access to DNB's 5G network with selected prepaid and postpaid plans.[15] On 22 May 2023, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil revealed that Malaysia’s 5G coverage has reached almost 60% of populated areas in the country, standing at 59.5% as of the end of April. This means that the government’s goal of reaching 80% coverage in populated areas by end 2023 is closer to being attained.[16]

Corporate history

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In April 2007, U Television Sdn Bhd signed the country's first nationwide domestic roaming memorandum of understanding, which led to an agreement with the mobile network operator Celcom Axiata Bhd allowing U Mobile's customers nationwide coverage while U Mobile rolled out its own high-speed mobile 3G service nationwide.[17] The agreement was completed in June 2007.

In December 2007, the 3G communications operators KT Freetel and NTT DoCoMo jointly invested US$200 million (est. RM669 million) for a total of 33% stake in U Mobile.[18]

In March 2008, U Mobile launched its first publicly available product called "Surf with U", a data-only plan for mobile users provided using U Mobile's HSDPA-driven mobile network. The following month, it rolled out its first mobile service, the postpaid U38 plan.[19] In July, U Mobile launched two new postpaid services, U68 and U98, and the 018 Prepaid service.

In 2009, KT Freetel, one of U Mobile's foreign investors, sold its 16.5% stake (62.6 million shares) to U Mobile's major shareholder.[20]

In November 2012, U Mobile activated 3G RAN Sharing with Maxis and transitioned its 2G network provider from Celcom to Maxis.[21][22][23][24][25]

On 31 August 2013, U Mobile announced that En. Jaffa Sany Bin Md Ariffin has been terminated as the chief executive officer and ceased to be an employee of U Mobile due to disciplinary action. Accordingly, he is not authorised to act for and on behalf of the company in respect of any matter with immediate effect. He was appointed as chief executive officer of U Mobile on 1 June 2012.[26]

On 17 December 2013, U Mobile launched its LTE network on the 2600 MHz band that covers the Klang Valley. U Mobile has currently about 2 million subscribers at the end of 2014.[27]

On 1 April 2014, U Mobile announced the appointment of Wong Heang Tuck as chief executive officer (CEO) effective 1 April 2014, Jasmine Lee as chief marketing officer (CMO), and Alex Tan as chief sales officer (CSO) effective 1 January 2014[28]

On 21 December 2015, U Mobile announced that D.Y.M.M. Sultan Ibrahim Ismail Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar Al-Haj (“DYMM Sultan Ibrahim”) has acquired a further 5% stake in the company to increase his stake to 15%. DYMM Sultan Ibrahim acquired his initial 10% stake in U Mobile in 2014.[29][30]

In February 2016, U Mobile confirms that it has been allocated with 15 years spectrum assignment of 2x5MHz of 900 MHz and 2x15MHz of 1800 MHz for full nationwide implementation starting 1 January 2017.[31][32]

In March 2016, U Mobile announced that it has partnered with Football Malaysia Limited Liability Partnership (FMLLP) to be the Official Co-Sponsor of the Superbest Power Piala FA and Liga Premier Malaysia for three years, starting from the 2016 season. U Mobile will be the Exclusive Telecommunications Partner for the two premier football competitions. The partnership with FMLLP will give U Mobile marketing, promotion and engagement opportunities around the two competitions, in-stadium branding, corporate hospitality and use of the club and player image rights for advertising purposes.[33][34]

On 26 May 2016, U Mobile become the first carrier in Malaysia to support Wi-Fi calling, initially only supporting iPhone owners owning iPhone 5c or later running iOS 9.3 and above. Wi-Fi calling for Android users are only supported on selected devices.[35]

In August 2016, U Mobile launched its first 4G LTE Advanced network at Kota Belud, Sabah.[36]

On 28 June 2017, U Mobile is terminating its 3G network sharing and alliance agreement with Maxis Bhd which was signed in 2011. Maxis said on Wednesday the termination would take place in stages over 18 months and the completion date is on 27 December 2018.[37] 2G network RAN with Maxis is still in operation but since 2020 the maxis 2G operation is transitioned from maxis to celcom network provider and now 2G service already run on celcom

Stakeholders

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The major shareholder of U Mobile includes Straits Mobile Investments Pte. Ltd (49%), followed by U Telemedia Sdn Bhd (21.46%), DYMM Sultan Ibrahim (15%),[30] Magnum Berhad (6.33%), Tan Sri Vincent Tan Chee Yioun (6.2%), and Berjaya Infrastructure Sdn Bhd (2.01%).

Partners

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U Mobile's partners include:

  • Atos Origin: Integrator of the BSCS iX Release 2 Billing System.
  • Ericsson: High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) solutions and management provider.
  • Huawei: Telecommunication equipment provider, from access layers to core transmissions.
  • LHS: Supplier of the BSCS iX Release 2 Billing System.
  • Nokia Siemens Networks: Implementation, integration, and application development of DVB-H services, including the maintenance of MiTV's infrastructure on a turnkey basis.
  • Rohde & Schwarz Malaysia: Supplier of low, medium and high powered digital television transmitters for the rollout implementation and coverage expansion of U Mobile's Mobile LiveTV.
  • Telekom Malaysia: Provisioning of backhaul connectivity services through TM Next-Gen Backhaul (NGBH) services.[38][39][40]
  • ZTE: Telecommunication equipment provider.
  • Whale Cloud: Cloud BSS solution Provider.

References

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  1. ^ "Spectrum Assignment No. SA/02/2006 (Serial No : n.24656)" (PDF). Malaysian Communications And Multimedia Commission Official Portal. Malaysian Communications And Multimedia Commission. 26 May 2012. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  2. ^ http://www.lowyat.net (10 February 2023). "U Mobile Postpaid 38 Users Get Double Data Starting Today - Lowyat.NET". Retrieved 25 May 2023. {{cite web}}: External link in |last= (help)
  3. ^ Yeoh, Angelin. "U Mobile introduces 1TB monthly postpaid plan for RM98". The Star. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  4. ^ Saw, Raymond. "U Mobile 5G Postpaid plans now unlocks hotspot data up to 1,000GB per month". SoyaCincau. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  5. ^ http://www.lowyat.net (23 January 2018). "U Mobile Launches New Unlimited Hero P79 Postpaid Plan With Unlimited Streaming, Unlimited Calls, And Much More - Lowyat.NET". Retrieved 25 May 2023. {{cite web}}: External link in |last= (help)
  6. ^ "U Mobile introduces new Unlimited Hero P99 plan with unlimited Internet data for RM99". TechNave. 28 November 2017. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  7. ^ Wong, Alexander. "U Mobile enables 5G for unlimited Hero P139 postpaid plan". SoyaCincau. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  8. ^ http://www.lowyat.net (13 February 2020). "U Mobile Launches Giler Unlimited GX68 Postpaid And GX38 Prepaid Plans - Lowyat.NET". Retrieved 25 May 2023. {{cite web}}: External link in |last= (help)
  9. ^ Tariq, Qishin. "U Mobile's Giler postpaid and prepaid plans offer unlimited mobile data". The Star. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  10. ^ "U Mobile New Prepaid Plans Offer Unlimited Quota For As Low As RM20 - Lowyat.NET". 23 February 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  11. ^ Wong, Alexander. "U Mobile now offers unlimited 5G on prepaid but only for weekends". SoyaCincau. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  12. ^ Wong, Alexander. "U Mobile adds two Giler Unlimited data plans with faster speeds". SoyaCincau. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  13. ^ "U Mobile GX prepaid plans are getting a free upgrade that bumps speed and quotas | Nasi Lemak Tech". 12 June 2020. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  14. ^ a b "U Mobile ends Multi-Billion Network Sharing Agreement with Maxis". 28 June 2017.
  15. ^ "U Mobile, DNB sign deal for 5G access". 31 October 2022.
  16. ^ "Malaysia's 5G Coverage Has Reached Nearly 60% Of Populated Areas - Lowyat.NET". 22 May 2023. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  17. ^ Surin, Murugiah (10 April 2007). "MiTV to offer 3G service in 2H". The Edge Daily. Archived from the original on 21 November 2007. Retrieved 10 October 2007.
  18. ^ "KTF, NTT DoCoMo to invest $200 mln in Malaysia U Mobile". Reuters. 3 December 2007. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  19. ^ "U Mobile Launches its Post Paid Service – U38 Plan". 15 April 2008. Retrieved 17 April 2008.
  20. ^ "KT Freetel will sell 16.5% of its stake in U Mobile". Bloomberg. Retrieved 19 April 2009.
  21. ^ "U Mobile Roaming with Maxis or Celcom?". www.malaysianwireless.com. 27 March 2012. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  22. ^ "Maxis share its 3G network with U Mobile". www.malaysianwireless.com. 24 October 2011. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  23. ^ "[Insider] U Mobile-Maxis 2G Domestic Roaming starting October". www.malaysianwireless.com. 17 July 2012. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  24. ^ "[Insider] U Mobile customers can now roam on Maxis 2G network". www.malaysianwireless.com. 3 September 2012. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  25. ^ "U Mobile-Maxis 3G Network Partnership now Live". www.malaysianwireless.com. November 2012. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  26. ^ "POSITION STATEMENT REGARDING TERMINATION OF U MOBILE'S CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER ON 31 AUGUST 2013". U Mobile. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  27. ^ "U MOBILE BRINGS FASTER, UNLIMITED MOBILE INTERNET EXPERIENCE THROUGH ITS 4G LTE SERVICES". U Mobile. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  28. ^ "U MOBILE ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF NEW SENIOR MANAGEMENT ROLES". U Mobile. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  29. ^ "YMM SULTAN IBRAHIM INCREASES STAKE IN U MOBILE". U Mobile. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  30. ^ a b "Johor Sultan raises stake in U Mobile". The Rakyat Post. 19 December 2015.
  31. ^ "U MOBILE SDN BHD ALLOCATED 2X5MHz OF 900MHz & 2X15MHz OF 1800MHz". U Mobile. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  32. ^ "Spectrum: U Mobile has been allocated 2x5MHz of 900MHz & 2x15MHz of 1800MHz". www.malaysianwireless.com. 3 February 2016. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  33. ^ "U MOBILE SCORES A BRACE WITH CO-SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENT FOR SUPERBEST POWER PIALA FA AND LIGA PREMIER MALAYSIA". U Mobile. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  34. ^ "U MOBILE SCORES A BRACE WITH CO-SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENT FOR SUPERBEST POWER PIALA FA AND LIGA PREMIER MALAYSIA". MP & Silva. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  35. ^ "WiFi Calling". U Mobile. 13 February 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  36. ^ "U MOBILE ROLLS OUT 4G LTE ADVANCED NETWORK COVERAGE IN KOTA BELUD". U Mobile. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  37. ^ "Notice of Termination: RAN Share Agreement with Maxis". U Mobile. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  38. ^ "TM & U MOBILE INKS COLLABORATIVE DEAL FOR NEXT-GEN BACKHAUL™ SERVICES". U Mobile. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  39. ^ "TM U MOBILE INKS COLLABORATIVE DEAL FOR NEXT-GEN BACKHAUL SERVICES". www.tm.com.my. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  40. ^ "U Mobile to use TM Next-Gen Backhaul services to accelerate 4G LTE rollout". www.malaysianwireless.com. 27 May 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
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