Operators

U Mobile signs deals at MWC26 for 5G-A, AI and network-level security

U Mobile signs deals at MWC26 for 5G-A, AI and network-level security

Malaysian 5G wholesale operator U Mobile says it signed several MoUs at Mobile World Congress 2026 this week – two with Huawei, one with ZTE and another with Palo Alto Networks – related to 5G-Advanced, AI and security-as-a-service (SECaaS).

Under one MoU, U Mobile and Huawei Malaysia agreed to leverage 5G-A, AI and related emerging technologies to jointly develop advanced technological solutions, and foster a sustainable innovation ecosystem.

Projects on the table include includes a 5G 3.5-GHz dual-carrier trial incorporating 5G-A features including 3CC carrier aggregation, design and development of 5G-A enabled gaming service experiences that leverage technologies such as 5G network slicing, and adoption of AI for intelligent and autonomous network operations with the goal of achieving Level 4 network autonomy.

“Apart from reduction in operational expenditure and network complexity, [Level 4 network autonomy] also means improved network reliability, consistency and enhanced ULTRA5G experiences for our customers,” said U Mobile CTO Woon Ooi Yuen.

Zac Chow, Deputy CEO of Huawei Malaysia, added that the collaboration with U Mobile “will unlock significant gains in spectrum efficiency and deliver a faster, more stable user experience for users.”

The two companies also signed a second MoU to boost the technical skillsets of U Mobile’s workforce related to 5G-A and AI via three initiatives: a management empowerment programme designed for U Mobile’s senior leadership, a localised 5G-A and AI industrial training module for U Mobile’s internal teams, and development of new training approaches, future-oriented courses and distinctive projects tailored to emerging advancements in 5G-A and AI.

AI-native 5G

Meanwhile, U Mobile also signed an MoU with ZTE to jointly conduct planning and feasibility studies to explore use cases for ZTE’s AI-native AIR Core solution.

The studies will focus on three areas: integrating AI with network data analytics functions to enable a more data-driven and intelligent core network, AI-enabled intelligent service identification to support a differentiated experience, and AI-powered automation across the core network environment.

Yuen said U Mobile aims to leverage AIR Core to pilot AI-driven capabilities within its 5G network with the goal of improving network efficiency, stability and performance, while laying the foundation for the telco to transition its network from cloud-native to AI-native by deploying AI and digital twin technologies within its 5G core. 

“Through the feasibility studies, we will be able to see how AI-driven capabilities will enhance performance for consumers through more reliable and seamless connectivity, and for enterprises by providing the predictability required for business-critical applications,” Yuen said. “With AIR Core’s Digital Twin technologies, we can simulate and validate new applications and configurations before deployment, accelerating time-to-market for enterprise solutions.”

“With AIR Core, we are not just introducing advanced AI capabilities but working closely with U Mobile to explore practical use cases that enhance efficiency, stability and service innovation,” added Steven Ge, MD of ZTE Malaysia.

U Mobile signed on Huawei and ZTE as key tech partners in April 2025 to roll out its 5G-A network. Later the same year it signed deals with both vendors to drive adoption of 5G-A and AI for enterprise use cases.

Embedded network-level security

U Mobile wrapped up MWC26 on Thursday by signing an MoU with Palo Alto Networks to integrate its SECaaS solution into U Mobile’s network infrastructure.

As part of the partnership, U Mobile will deploy Palo Alto Networks’ next-gen firewall platform and AI powered cloud-based security services. The resulting SECaaS solution will enable U Mobile’s entire network infrastructure to have real time protection against malware, phishing attempts, command and control threats, and other evolving zero-day cyber-attacks at the network level.

The two companies will also leverage U Mobile’s neutral enterprise innovation platform to develop, test and demonstrate additional SECaaS features and applications related to IoT and smart solutions.

“The network-based approach means we can offer a more secure user experience for daily services like online banking, e-wallet transactions, accessing remote work tools, or cloud applications,” Yuen said. “Apart from that, U Mobile is also able to empower enterprises to innovate and adopt 5G, 5G-A and AI-driven solutions with confidence as any threat will be addressed at network level.”



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