Maxis, MDEC to promote devt of NB-IoT ecosystem

KUALA LUMPUR: Maxis Bhd and the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) will jointly promote the ecosystem development of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions among companies to spur the Malaysian digital economy.

In a statement yesterday, Maxis said the collaboration would see MDEC guiding and providing advice to ecosystem players, vendors and enterprises on government initiatives which are in line with the National IoT Strategic Roadmap and the National Policy on Industry 4.0.

The country’s leading communications and internet service provider said assistance would also be provided on initiatives such as Artificial Intelligence, Big Data Analytics and digital transformation.

“The collaboration will see both Maxis and MDEC addressing industry needs through engagements and solution development among companies, developer communities and vendors in line with the Malaysian digital agenda,” it added.

The company successfully launched the first commercial Narrowband-Internet of Things (NB-IoT) service in Malaysia last month.

Maxis said it would be leading the NB-IoT initiatives and work closely with MDEC and ecosystem partners through quarterly engagements via joint workshops and knowledge sharing sessions to address specific industry needs and relevant IoT programmes.

As part of the initiatives, the company said it would provide key enablers such as testing guidelines, lab facilities, solution and deployment setup best practices as well as expert advisory services.

Earlier this week, Maxis launched the first initiative, the Maxis IoT Challenge, offering cash prizes worth RM30,000 and funding opportunities of up to RM100,000.

“Themed ‘Innovate our Tomorrow’, Maxis is inviting the public to develop IoT solutions to solve real business problems related to Smart Cities, Smart Manufacturing and Smart Agriculture,” it said, adding that the partners for the challenge include Microsoft and the GSM Association, a trade body that represents the interests of mobile network operators worldwide.

Meanwhile, MDEC chief operating officer Datuk Ng Wan Peng said the partnership was in line with its aim to increase digital adoption and spur the growth of IoT and digital economy in Malaysia.

“There is a wide range of factors that makes a successful IoT ecosystem, and working with industry leaders is vital,” she said.

She added that the collaboration with Maxis would help create even more opportunities for enterprises, including opening up new business models and creating value by connecting things.

Meanwhile, Maxis’ head of enterprise Paul McManus said the partnership would accelerate their shared ambition towards a stronger ecosystem of partners, developers and customers.

He said the partnership would also further strengthen Maxis’ role as a trusted industry technology partner to businesses that would be able to leverage its NB-IoT network, which is now activated in selected areas within key IoT market centres including Cyberjaya, Penang, Kuching, Putrajaya, Johor Baharu and KLCC. — Bernama