KUALA LUMPUR (March 11): Sunway Group and CelcomDigi Bhd (KL:CDB) have partnered to introduce 5G in-building connectivity at select hotspots within Sunway Pyramid Mall, as part of a Proof of Concept (POC) initiative. The collaboration aims to modernise the retail experience, making Sunway Pyramid Malaysia’s first 5G smart mall, according to a press release on Monday (March 10).

The initiative, supported by Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB), is expected to enhance retail operations by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and 5G technology. This includes AI-powered smart CCTV systems for real-time surveillance analytics, to improve crowd management and enhance security. Additionally, the partnership will explore augmented reality (AR)-based indoor navigation systems, offering interactive directories and real-time store promotions.

Sunway Group’s chief information officer Kevin Khoo highlighted the significance of the collaboration in driving innovation, and said the company plans to expand the implementation of such smart solutions across Sunway’s other properties in the future. “We are always looking at how innovation and technology can drive operational excellence and enhance customer engagement. Through our collaboration with CelcomDigi, we look forward to leveraging smart solutions, powered by 5G, to manage the mall more efficiently, while offering new digital capabilities to our retailers.

“As we ramp up our AI and digital capabilities, this initiative is testament to Sunway Pyramid’s position as a leading lifestyle destination, attracting both retailers looking for a digitally enabled business environment, and shoppers seeking a seamless and enhanced retail experience. We hope to adopt such smart solutions across all our malls and hopefully our other operations group-wide.”

CelcomDigi’s chief enterprise business officer Afizulazha Abdullah emphasised the broader implications of the project. “We’re pleased to collaborate with Sunway Group, marking an important step in exploring how 5G-AI can modernise retail operations. As we work towards enabling Sunway Pyramid with 5G-powered AI solutions, we are laying the groundwork for future innovations that will enhance operational efficiency, security, and overall retail experiences.”