U Mobile and ZTE demo solar-powered 5G site that can be deployed in just three days

U Mobile and ZTE have demonstrated a portable 5G network site that runs entirely on solar power and can be deployed and activated in just three days, potentially making it easier to bring mobile connectivity to remote areas.

The off-grid setup does not require access to the national electricity grid or fibre infrastructure. Instead, it uses solar panels and battery storage for power, while satellite backhaul connects the site to U Mobile’s core network.

The solution was tested at two rural locations in East Malaysia: SK Mentu, a primary school in Sebuyau, Sarawak and Balai Kebudayaan Iburu, a community hall in Sipitang, Sabah.

Rather than using a conventional telecommunications tower, each site uses a lightweight 12-metre pole structure. The system supports both 4G and 5G connectivity, with U Mobile and ZTE recording peak download speeds of up to 134Mbps during live testing. The sites are powered by high-efficiency solar panels and a battery backup system that can provide up to 52 hours of operation without sunlight, depending on the configuration.

The three-day deployment is significantly shorter than conventional rural tower construction, which U Mobile says can take close to a year due to requirements such as site acquisition, tower construction, transmission infrastructure and grid power readiness.

“As Malaysia’s newest 5G network provider, we have the opportunity to explore more agile ways of expanding our network, particularly in areas where conventional deployment can be challenging.

This proof-of-concept demonstrates how a 100% green-energy, off-grid site can be deployed rapidly while still delivering reliable 4G and 5G connectivity. Together with technology partners such as ZTE, we will continue to explore practical innovations that can accelerate the expansion of our Ultra 5G network, help close the digital divide and extend the benefits of connectivity to more Malaysians,” – Woon Ooi Yuen, U Mobile Chief Technology Officer

The portable setup could also be used beyond rural connectivity, particularly for emergency and disaster response. Since it does not rely on grid power or terrestrial transmission infrastructure, it could be deployed to restore connectivity in areas where existing network infrastructure has been damaged or disrupted.

Nevertheless, this setup remains a proof-of-concept for now, with no indication of if or when they intend to deploy it commercially.

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