Fibre-optic network in Malaysian highway soon

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Jun. 16, 2022– MSA Resources Sdn Bhd (MSAR), a telecommunications infrastructure provider based in Peninsular Malaysia, has selected Ciena (NYSE: CIEN) to help build its Digital Super Highway Network. MSAR will leverage Ciena’s 6500, WaveLogic 5 Extreme (WL5e) coherent optics, and Manage, Control and Plan (MCP) domain controller to reach data transmission speeds of 800Gb/s line rate and total network capacity of 33.6Tb/s per fiber pair.

With more than two decades of experience in the telecommunications sector in Malaysia, MSAR is building the foundation upon which upcoming technologies such as 5G can be implemented, including connecting key data centres, submarine cable landing stations and international borders through its fiber optic networks. To meet the goals of global hyperscalers for faster speeds, better reachability, and increasing need for data capacity, MSAR is teaming up with Ciena to capitalize on its new fiber network to increase efficiencies and create a super resilient and scalable network.

“Ciena’s coherent optical technology will bring unparalleled capacity, enabling the fastest transfer of data across the network. The Digital Super Highway Network will serve as a platform for the adoption of future technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), smart highways, 5G and more,” said Saiful Husni Samak, Managing Director, MSAR. “We are very confident in our ability to address the needs of global hyperscalers, when our network can easily scale up to 800 Gbps and beyond with Ciena’s technology. We are set to deliver high quality services to cater to the growing demand, not just in Malaysia but also regionally. This game-changing offering will also be attractive to over-the-top players and international carriers.”

Together with CommVerge Solutions, a leading technology and business solutions integrator, MSAR is set to deploy Ciena’s WL5e programmable 800G transponder platform, enabling the speedy transfer of large amounts of data over a resilient and software configurable network. WL5e provides a step-function improvement in network performance and economic benefits, doubling wavelength capacity and halving space or power requirements compared to previous technology generations, enabling MSAR to deliver best-in-class connectivity in a cost-efficient and environmentally friendly manner. Ciena’s MCP domain controller can also provide MSAR with analytical insights to optimize network performance, automatically enhancing the digital experience for consumers at any time, even during peak periods.

“The ability to power record-breaking capacities across long distances will help MSAR rapidly increase the reach of its network to more users and differentiate its service offerings,” said Dion Leung, Regional Managing Director, Ciena ASEAN. “We are creating a more robust and adaptive network that helps MSAR to unleash the limitless potential of digital connectivity in Malaysia.”

About MSA Resources
MSA Resources began as a telecommunications contractor in the 1990s before venturing into the telecommunications facilities sector. We laid cables on the Malaysia-Singapore Second Link Bridge in 2012 and began providing Managed Fibre Services in 2014. Subsequently, we expanded into International Bandwidth Connectivity Services in 2019.

We are currently building a new fibre optic network from Johor Bahru to Bukit Kayu Hitam with connectivity to all major data centre hubs in Kuala Lumpur, Cyberjaya, Nusajaya and Johor Bahru. This network will complement our existing network which offers connectivity to all major data centres in Singapore. The target RFS for Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur and Cyberjaya is August 2022 with connectivity to Bukit Kayu Hitam to follow by end of 2022.

Our tagline is “Building Communities, Uniting a Nation” and as firm believers in fair and Open Access Networks, we are committed to being the first company to truly open up our fibre optic backbone network to the entire industry.

About Ciena
Ciena (NYSE: CIEN) is a networking systems, services and software company. We provide solutions that help our customers create the Adaptive Network™ in response to the constantly changing demands of their end-users. By delivering best-in-class networking technology through high-touch consultative relationships, we build the world’s most agile networks with automation, openness and scale. For updates on Ciena, follow us on Twitter @Ciena, LinkedIn, the Ciena Insights blog, or visit www.ciena.com.

Note to Ciena Investors
You are encouraged to review the Investors section of our website, where we routinely post press releases, SEC filings, recent news, financial results, and other announcements. From time to time we exclusively post material information to this website along with other disclosure channels that we use. This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that are based on our current expectations, forecasts, information and assumptions. These statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results or outcomes may differ materially from those stated or implied, because of risks and uncertainties, including those detailed in our most recent annual and quarterly reports filed with the SEC. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies and can be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “should,” “will,” and “would” or similar words. Ciena assumes no obligation to update the information included in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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Malaysian telco, MSA Resources Sdn Bhd (MSAR), has selected Ciena to help build its digital super highway network.

Specifically, MSAR will use Ciena’s 6500 WaveLogic 5 Extreme (WL5e) coherent optics, and its Manage, Control and Plan (MCP) domain controller, enabling MSAR to reach data transmission speeds of 800Gbs line rate and a total network capacity of 33.6Tbs per fibre pair.

“Ciena’s coherent optical technology will bring unparalleled capacity, enabling the fastest transfer of data across the network. The Digital Super Highway Network will serve as a platform for the adoption of future technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), smart highways, 5G and more,” said Saiful Husni Samak, managing director, MSAR.

“We are very confident in our ability to address the needs of global hyperscalers, when our network can easily scale up to 800 Gbps and beyond with Ciena’s technology. We are set to deliver high quality services to cater to the growing demand, not just in Malaysia but also regionally. This game-changing offering will also be attractive to over-the-top players and international carriers.”

The news comes as MSAR to lay the foundations to implement 5G, this includes connecting key data centres, cable landing stations and international borders using its fibre-optic networks.

Partnering with Ciena, MSAR is able to meet the demands of global hyperscalers for faster speeds, greater reach and increasing need for more capacity, by optimising its fibre network to increase efficiencies, improve resilience and increase the scalability of the network.

“The ability to power record-breaking capacities across long distances will help MSAR rapidly increase the reach of its network to more users and differentiate its service offerings,” said Dion Leung, regional managing director, Ciena ASEAN.

“We are creating a more robust and adaptive network that helps MSAR to unleash the limitless potential of digital connectivity in Malaysia.”

In collaboration with technology and business solutions integrator CommVerge Solutions, MSAR will also deploy Ciena’s WL5e programmable 800G transponder platform, which enable the quick transfer of large amounts of data over a software configurable network.

Kementerian Kerja Raya hari ini telah melancarkan sebuah projek baharu, iaitu Projek Rangkaian Digital Lebuh Raya. Melaluinya, syarikat MSAR akan membina dan kendalikan kabel gentian fiber optik di sepanjang lebuh raya yang dibawah seliaan Lembaha Lebuhraya Malaysia. Projek ini dibangunkan menggunakan dana swasta.

Projek ini akan dibangunkan daalam tiga fasa pembinaan di Semenanjung Malaysia. Fasa pertama melibatkan pemasangan kabel fiber optik dari Johor Bahru ke Bukit Kayu Hitam, dan dijangka siap pada Disember 2022.

Seterusnya pada Fasa 2, ia akan melibatkan lebuhraya di Lembah Klang. Fasa 3 pula menghubungkan negeri pantai timur Semenanjung Malaysia.

Melalui projek ini, sebanyak 4,000 titik hubungan yang menghubungkan bandar-bandar dan kawasa luar bandar dengan liputan jalur lebar tinggi bakal dinikmati rakyat. Infrastruktur ini juga bakal menghubungkan pelbagai pusat data tempatan, selain sambungan ke kabel-kabel utama yang lain.

Dengan langkah ini juga, ia akan membolehkan penawaran infrastruktur yang meluas, serta boleh digunakan pihak berkaitan dalam menawarkan perkhidmatan masing-masing.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 — The RM300 million Highway Digital Network project, which is expected to be fully completed in 2025, will make Malaysia a strategic big data hub in the Asean region.

Senior Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the government had approved the project to construct and operate fiber optic cables along highways, to MSA Resources Sdn Bhd (MSAR), under the supervision of the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM).

“This new telecommunications infrastructure, with low latency technology along the country’s major highways, will be able to provide users with seamless access to broadband traffic, at both the domestic and international levels.

“Cities and rural areas will be connected with a total of 4,000 Points of Interconnect (POI) which will enable high broadband coverage and will also contribute to the improved delivery of online public services, such as public health facilities, open access to education, and an improved transportation system,” he said at the launching of the project here today.

He said the availability of this digital network infrastructure, broadband network coverage, open access and competitive pricing gained by all telecommunications providers would benefit not only the local community but also small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and other service sectors.

Fadillah said the project would also enable a shift for businesses to transform from face-to-face transactions to digital-platform businesses and reduce business boundaries from one place to another.

“Indirectly, the people will benefit by having a wider selection of goods and services at optimal prices and higher quality,” he said.

Meanwhile, MSAR managing director Saiful Husni Samak said the project would be built along the highway in Peninsular Malaysia in stages, through three phases of construction.

“The Phase 1 network is the installation of fiber optic cables from Johor Baru to Bukit Kayu Hitam. The Phase 2 network will involve highways in the Klang Valley while the Phase 3 network will connect the east coast states of Peninsular Malaysia.

“Once these secured networks have been developed, Malaysian ministries and departments, such as the Malaysian Armed Forces and Royal Malaysia Police will be provided access while the LLM and concession companies under LLM will also benefit from the improved highway network services, such as free wi-fi facilities for their R&R areas and along the highway,” he said. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 — The RM300 million Highway Digital Network project, which is expected to be fully completed in 2025, will make Malaysia a strategic big data hub in the Asean region.

Senior Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the government had approved the project to construct and operate fiber optic cables along highways, to MSA Resources Sdn Bhd (MSAR), under the supervision of the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM).

“This new telecommunications infrastructure, with low latency technology along the country’s major highways, will be able to provide users with seamless access to broadband traffic, at both the domestic and international levels.

“Cities and rural areas will be connected with a total of 4,000 Points of Interconnect (POI) which will enable high broadband coverage and will also contribute to the improved delivery of online public services, such as public health facilities, open access to education, and an improved transportation system,” he said at the launching of the project here today.

He said the availability of this digital network infrastructure, broadband network coverage, open access and competitive pricing gained by all telecommunications providers would benefit not only the local community but also small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and other service sectors.

Fadillah said the project would also enable a shift for businesses to transform from face-to-face transactions to digital-platform businesses and reduce business boundaries from one place to another.

“Indirectly, the people will benefit by having a wider selection of goods and services at optimal prices and higher quality,” he said.

Meanwhile, MSAR managing director Saiful Husni Samak said the project would be built along the highway in Peninsular Malaysia in stages, through three phases of construction.

“The Phase 1 network is the installation of fiber optic cables from Johor Baru to Bukit Kayu Hitam. The Phase 2 network will involve highways in the Klang Valley while the Phase 3 network will connect the east coast states of Peninsular Malaysia.

“Once these secured networks have been developed, Malaysian ministries and departments, such as the Malaysian Armed Forces and Royal Malaysia Police will be provided access while the LLM and concession companies under LLM will also benefit from the improved highway network services, such as free wi-fi facilities for their R&R areas and along the highway,” he said. — Bernama

Dengan adanya projek Rangkaian Digital Lebuh Raya bernilai RM300 juta yang dijangka siap sepenuhnya pada 2025 berpotensi menjadikan Malaysia sebagai hab data raya strategik di rantau ASEAN, ujar Menteri Kanan Kerja Raya, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

Menurut beliau, projek tiga fasa bagi membina dan mengendalikan kabel gentian optik di sepanjang lebuh raya seliaan Lembaga Lebuhraya Malaysia (LLM) tersebut telah diluluskan oleh kerajaan kepada MSA Resources Sdn Bhd (MSAR).

“Infrastruktur telekomunikasi baharu dengan teknologi kependaman di sepanjang lebuh raya utama negara ini akan dapat memberikan capaian yang lancar untuk trafik jalur lebar di peringkat domestik dan antarabangsa.

“Sebanyak 4,000 titik hubungan (POI) akan menghubungkan bandar dan kawasan luar bandar dengan liputan jalur lebar yang tinggi kelak dengan menyumbang kepada peningkatan penyampaian awam atas talian seperti kemudahan kesihatan, pendidikan dan juga pengangkutan,” katanya menerusi laporan Bernama.

Tambah beliau lagi, dengan ketersediaan infrastruktur itu ia akan memberi manfaat kepada semua lapisan masyarakat, sektor ekonomi dan perkhidmatan di negara ini.

“Kemudahan berkenaan itu juga akan membolehkan perniagaan beralih kepada platform digital secara tidak langsung rakyat akan mempunyai pilihan barangan dan perkhidmatan yang berkualiti tinggi dengan harga yang optimum,” katanya lagi.

Pengarah Urusan MSAR,Saiful Husni Samak pula berkata, projek itu akan dibangunkan melalui tiga fasa iaitu fasa pertama melibatkan Lebuhraya Utara-Selatan dari Bukit Kayu Hitam ke Johor Bahru, fasa kedua melibatkan lebuh raya dalam bandar di Lembah Klang dan fasa ketiga menghubungkan pantai timur.

“MSAR juga menyediakan sepasang kabel gentian optik kepada LLM, Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM) dan Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) secara percuma dan kami turut menyediakan WiFi di kawasan Rehat dan Rawat (R&R) secara percuma juga di sepanjang Lebuhraya Utara-Selatan,” katanya sambil menambah projek itu juga akan menyumbang RM12 juta setahun melalui bayaran perkhidmatan kepada kerajaan.