A subsidiary of Telenor and a wireless telecom operator in Malaysia, DiGi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd has announced the appointment of ZTE Corporation to build a unified mobile network that will provide DiGi with fully transformed 2G/3G/4G network, starting from the third quarter of 2011.

This new network is reportedly be able to deliver download speeds of up to 42Mbps using HSPA+ and thereafter up to four times faster when the 4G/LTE spectrum becomes available. This is expected to enhance network quality and efficiency, improve customer experience, and strengthen DiGi's competitiveness.

Under the agreement signed by the two parties, DiGi's nationwide network will use ZTE's unified Radio Access Network platform which is capable of delivering 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE from a single base station site. In addition, ZTE will upgrade DiGi's core network, transmission network and parts of its value-added services platform. This project will involve over 5,000 existing sites in the next two years, with new ones being added for future capacity and coverage demands.

Meanwhile, ZTE will provide telecom management services and unified maintenance for the network. The new network will feature a simplified architecture and convergence in service platforms, resulting in improved operational efficiency and service provisioning times.