Telekom Research & Development Sdn Bhd (TM R&D), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ZTE (Malaysia) Corporation Sdn Bhd (ZTE) to collaborate on next generation passive optical network (NGPON) research.
The MoU encompasses joint NGPON research in contributing towards achieving the international standards through the strengthening of NGPON2 framework. Both parties will share their research facilities and create mirroring labs in both countries, China and Malaysia.
Commenting on the MoU, Dr. Gopi Kurup, Chief Executive Officer, TM R&D shared, “TM R&D initiated and has continued to grow the local photonics and optical research in collaboration with Malaysian universities. The capacity and capability developed in the field has attracted the attention of global technology companies like ZTE to collaborate in further pushing the boundaries in this important telecommunications technology.”
Steven Ge, Managing Director of ZTE Corporation said, “We look forward to partnering with the largest integrated telecommunications provider in Malaysia through our collaboration with TM R&D. This MOU is in line with ZTE corporate strategy to continue working with top R&D centers throughout the world and we foresee this collaboration will benefit both parties especially in the Next Generation PON development. We hope this NGPON development could be tested in real life environment, especially in the Telekom Malaysia network to ensure local adaptability of the end product.”
Steven further emphasised that ZTE Corporation has been operating in Malaysia for more than ten years, serving all major Malaysian Telecommunication operators and will remain committed in this market.
TM R&D focuses on creating value for TM and customers’ growing needs for products and services. TM R&D leverages on university partnerships and technology collaborations with an emphasis on applied research and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) generation. Commercialisation of IPR is done through licensing agreements and in collaboration with technology partners.
ZTE is the largest public listed telecom solution provider in China with 18 R&D centers globally including the USA and Sweden with over 20,000 R&D personnel. Every year, ZTE invests about USD 1.5 billion in R&D.
