U Mobile has announced a new partnership with Eastel, a soon-to-launch Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) under Anchor Communications, marking its first-ever 5G and 4G wholesale access agreement. The five-year deal will allow Eastel to utilise the orange telco’s next-generation 5G infrastructure and 4G network to offer data, voice and SMS services, as well as international direct dialling (IDD), roaming and mobile number portability (MNP) support.
“This latest partnership marks the start of more 5G wholesale agreements to come, especially since our 5G network expansion will reach 80% CoPA by the second half of next year,” said U Mobile’s deputy CEO Kenneth Chang. He added that the telco is looking forward to enabling more opportunities for telco players to tap into its advanced and future-proofed infrastructure, as well as operational expertise.
Meanwhile, Eastel’s executive director Aaron Lee also echoed the sentiment. “This partnership marks a significant milestone as we prepare to launch a new kind of MVNO, one that empowers Malaysia’s Gig and Creator Economy,” he said. “By leveraging U Mobile’s ultra-fast 5G and 4G network, we aim to support more niche and customisable data-intensive applications for the community.”
Set to debut in the first quarter of 2026, Eastel plans to deliver targeted mobile services designed for niche market segments, particularly those within Malaysia’s growing gig and creator economy. By tapping into U Mobile’s 5G and 4G networks, the new MVNO aims to introduce flexible, high-performance solutions for data-intensive and customisable applications.
(Source: U Mobile press release)
