KUALA LUMPUR (March 25): YTL Communications Sdn Bhd signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with laser communications technology company Transcelestial to bring cutting-edge technology solutions to businesses in Malaysia by enhancing connectivity and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities across the nation.

This move will bring Transcelestial’s solution to deliver ultra-low latency and high-capacity connectivity wirelessly with lasers.

The MOU was signed on March 5 at the Mobile World Conference (MWC) 2025 in Barcelona, Spain, by YTL Communications chief executive officer Wing K Lee and Transcelestial head of sales (APAC) Dinesh Kummaran. It was also witnessed by Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) member Datuk Seri Dr Chee Hong Leong.

Transcelestial CEO and co-founder Rohit Jha said that for enterprises, this means faster and more reliable connectivity, enabling seamless AI adoption, cloud computing, and digital transformation.

“Businesses can operate with improved efficiency, from smart manufacturing to AI-powered applications that require low latency, high bandwidth, and real-time data exchange.”

As for consumers, he said this collaboration enhances the overall network experience by improving coverage in areas that are difficult to reach with conventional fibre and providing resiliency to fibre networks in areas which have been away from connectivity or are prone to outages.

“Whether it's high-speed broadband access, low-latency gaming, or seamless video streaming, users will benefit from a network that is not only faster but also more resilient to disruptions.”

This programme is also targeted to work with MCMC in plugging certain gaps in National Information Dissemination Centres (Nadi) which Transcelestial previously has deployed in Pulau Bum Bum to demonstrate. This demonstration was well received by the Ministry of Communications, and Transcelestial has been invited to work with players like YTL and other telcos to deliver this innovative solution.

“As a pioneer in 5G and AI, we constantly push the bar on technological advancements in Malaysia. This collaboration will accelerate the country’s AI adoption and digital transformation by equipping businesses with world-class connectivity and sustainable infrastructure,” said Lee.

“Transcelestial’s innovative technology has the potential to provide fibre-level connectivity over terrains and environments that would normally pose challenges to conventional fibre optic cables. This partnership will help us better serve our customers as data consumption continues to grow — in line with Malaysia’s drive towards a digital nation. We look forward to improving the performance and resiliency of our network and to enabling enterprise customers through this new partnership.”

Jha added that as rollouts begin, they are exploring the possibility of a progress map so people can track when their area is getting laser-powered 5G, giving consumers real-time visibility into how their connectivity is improving.

YTL Communications is the first telco in Malaysia to harness Transcelestial’s wireless laser communications technology to deliver a network with fibre-class connectivity with a new level of flexibility. This solution eliminates the need for physical cables, enabling fibre-class ultra-low latency and high-capacity connections, even in locations that are traditionally hard to reach or maintain using conventional fibre technology.

Transcelestial’s shoebox-sized Centauri devices offer deployment flexibility to deliver high-capacity spectrum-free connectivity through lasers, without the need for physical fibre cables.

While the deployment process is straightforward, Jha said network teams will undergo brief training to familiarise themselves with the technology and ensure seamless optimisation. During the initial phase, minor adjustments will be made to align the system with existing infrastructure, followed by performance validation to confirm optimal operation under various conditions.

In the long run, expanding the solution across additional sites will be a structured and manageable process, with regular optimisations and software updates enhancing efficiency over time.

“Continued support and training will also be in place to ensure YTL’s teams have the necessary resources to maintain and maximise performance. By working closely together, we are ensuring a smooth and efficient integration that aligns with YTL Communications’ long-term network strategy,” said Jha.

Another short-term consideration is rollout logistics. Jha said while current deployment supports distances up to 3km, some ultra-rural areas and long-distance island connections may require additional solutions.

“We’re already actively working on long-range capabilities to extend our reach and bring fibre-class connectivity to even the most remote locations,” he said.

In the longer term, Transcelestial aims to develop a constellation of small satellites positioned in low Earth orbit, allowing its laser network to not only beam across cities but upwards to connect continents globally too.

“We’re preparing to mature our space-based laser offerings too, which will open up entirely new possibilities. Once live, this will allow us to truly bridge connectivity gaps across Malaysia, bringing high-speed 5G access even to the deepest parts of the country, where traditional infrastructure is difficult to implement.”