19 August 2024
Telekom Malaysia (TM) and energy company Petronas have deployed and launched a private 5G network at Petronas’ LNG Complex in Bintulu, Sarawak.
Petronas claims its LNG Complex is one of the world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants in a single location, with a production capacity of 29.8 million tonnes annually.
Abang Yusuf Abang Puteh, Senior VP of LNG assets at Petronas, said that the private 5G network will improve productivity and increase operational efficiency across critical production processes.
“The integration of 5G with the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and automation will streamline workflows, increase productivity by automating data collection, while enhancing safety across all levels,” said Yusuf Abang Puteh.
“Leveraging on advanced technologies like AI, the enterprise 5G application is expected to yield optimum operational efficiencies for its highly secure reliable connection, real-time monitoring and analytics as well as remote maintenance,” said TM group CEO Amar Huzaimi Md Deris.
TM and Petronas will look to explore further opportunities to expand distribution of private 5G networks to newer sites. The LNG Complex site marks the fourth private 5G network that Petronas has deployed at its sites since the first one – for its Regasification Terminal Sungai Udang (RGTSU) – was launched in 2022. The company has been using private 4G networks since 2019.
Petronas is also working with CelcomDigi on private 5G. In April, the two companies kicked off a two-year strategic collaboration plan to explore potential use cases in which 5G and digital technologies could improve Petronas’ operations.
The Malaysian government has been keen to promote development of private 5G as a key growth area for 5G as it makes plans to roll out the country’s second 5G network. Malaysia’s Digital Ministry has been working with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) since May 2024 to create a policy that encourages private 5G rollouts for industrial use cases in sectors such as health, manufacturing, agriculture and aquaculture.
