Ericsson and DNB demonstrate 5G’s capability to deliver long distance education during showcase at Curtin Malaysia

Miri – 22 February 2023 – Ericsson and Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) last weekend conducted a 5G technology showcase at Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) here, paving the way for the delivery of a host of next-gen digital business, industrial, and public service applications in areas covered by 5G in Sarawak.

To demonstrate ultrafast speeds over 5G, Ericsson and DNB delivered a high bandwidth of up to 7 Gbps to the university using 5G standalone (SA) architecture, carrier aggregation and network slicing technology.

The showcase was made possible by maximising the use of available 5G spectrum by combining multiple spectrum bands with Carrier Aggregation technology using the 700 Mhz low-band, 3.5 Ghz mid-band and 28 Ghz millimetre wave. A portion of the connectivity pipeline was subdivided using network slicing which allowed DNB to carve out and dedicate a portion of the bandwidth for exclusive use of the 5G showcase.

The showcase involved a lesson delivered by senior lecturer Dr. Syafiqah Saidin from UTM-Ericsson IC5G (Universiti Teknologi Malaysia-Ericsson Innovation Centre for 5G) located 1,400 km away in Kuala Lumpur to a group of Curtin Malaysia students at their campus in Miri. Dr. Syafiqah was able to remotely deliver a high-quality, interactive lecture in real time in a custom-built Metaverse environment, interacting with the students using AR/VR headsets.

Present at the showcase were Deputy Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Sarawak Datuk Liwan Lagang; Miri Resident Abdul Aziz Bin Haji Mohamad Yusuf: DNB Chief Operating Officer Nasution Mohamed; Head of Ericsson Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh David Hägerbro, and Acting Chief Operating Officer of Curtin Malaysia, Associate Professor Ir. Pieter Willem Pottas.

In his speech during the showcase, Datuk Liwan commented on expanding 5G technologies throughout the state for the benefit of Sarawakians.

“Ultrafast 5G speeds must be made relevant to end users. This demonstration shows how 5G connectivity can negate vast distances between teacher and student to deliver high quality, real-time and interactive distance learning in a Metaverse classroom with AR/VR hardware.

“It is my hope that next-gen education applications like the sort we witnessed at Curtin University is soon followed by other groundbreaking use cases in Sarawak. I am intrigued by the prospect of applying these technologies in key Sarawakian industries. Given Miri’s rich history in the energy sector, 5G connectivity could be the catalyst to transform the industry with a host of intelligent, 5G-enabled use cases.”

Commenting on the showcase, Associate Professor Ir. Pottas said, “Today’s demonstration is of great interest to us at Curtin University Malaysia as Curtin University’s largest global campus and hub in ASEAN. One of our key research focus areas is digital innovation, and digital technology is extensively used in our teaching and learning. These 5G technologies will help us significantly extend our education and research footprint in the region.”

Meanwhile, Hägerbro also commended the demonstration as a strong example of the world-class 5G network that Ericsson is delivering to DNB and the possibilities it opens in Malaysia.

“Ericsson’s 5G expertise and technology enables DNB to provide connectivity to schools, hospitals and businesses located in historically underserved areas, where it would not have been cost-effective to provide wired connectivity. We believe the technologies demonstrated here today will pave the way for bridging the digital divide, accelerate Malaysia’s digital economy aspirations, as well as equip it with the advantage to leapfrog ahead in the region,” he said.

For more information on Curtin Malaysia, visit curtin.edu.my, or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn or Tik-Tok.

Students participating in the Metaverse classroom using AR-VR goggles

David Hägerbro, Datuk Liwan Lagang and Nasution Mohamed joining the students in the virtual classroom

Assoc Prof Pieter Pottas (far left, back row) and other dignitaries with the Curtin students