U Mobile and ZTE have successfully completed a proof-of-concept for a portable, fully off-grid 5G network site powered entirely by solar energy, piloted at two rural locations in East Malaysia. It can operate without connection to the national electricity grid or terrestrial fiber infrastructure, using satellite backhaul to link directly to U Mobile’s core network.
U Mobile & ZTE Trial Off-Grid 5G Solutions
The portable solution was tested at SK Mentu, a primary school in Sebuyau, Sarawak, and Balai Kebudayaan Iburu, a community hall in Sipitang, Sabah. At each location, a lightweight 12-meter pole structure was installed as an alternative to a conventional telecommunications tower. The system is supported by high-efficiency solar panels and a battery backup capable of sustaining operations for up to 52 hours without sunlight, depending on configuration.
During live testing, the sites delivered both 4G and 5G services, achieving peak download speeds of up to 134 Mbps. The entire site, from installation to full activation, was completed within three days; by comparison, conventional tower deployments in challenging rural areas can take close to a year due to requirements such as site acquisition, tower construction, transmission infrastructure build-out, and grid power readiness.
Beyond rural connectivity, U Mobile and ZTE noted that the portable solution could serve emergency and disaster response scenarios – its ability to be deployed rapidly and operate independently of both grid power and terrestrial transmission infrastructure makes it suitable for restoring connectivity in areas where existing infrastructure has been disrupted.
Pokdepinion: Many situations where the quick deployment capability could come in handy.
