XOX, Advance Tech team up to launch 4G, 5G smartphones

PETALING JAYA: XOX Bhd is partnering with Advance Tech Communication Sdn Bhd to launch a range of 4G and 5G smartphones in the next nine months.

In a Bursa filing, XOX said its indirect wholly owned unit XOX Mobile Sdn Bhd had entered into a collaboration and cooperation agreement with Advance Tech to promote XPLORE smartphones across Southeast Asia.

Advance Tech is a 95%-owned subsidiary of AdvanceTC Limited, a National Stock Exchange of Australialisted company, involved in the development, manufacturing and distribution of mobile devices with space connectivity as well as related satellite and communication services.

XOX said the range of 4G and 5G phones, to be launched by Advance Tech, will be equipped with satellite connectivity and digital mobile radio and XOX will be the first telco to market and promote and distribute the products to its users.

The first model, X5 will combine 18 band 4G LTE connectivity with iridium satellite networks to enable satellite messaging and emergency services.

This is to be followed by digital mobile radio capabilities which will allow for short band two-way radio communications in the subsequent 90 days.

The device is aimed to integrate real-time communication applications providing a unified messaging, as well as safety location-sharing capabilities across the cellular, broadband, satellite and digital radio networks.

XOX executive director Steve Tan said the aim is to provide a unified network plan by integrating XOX’s prepaid plans and messaging platform with ATC’s extensive satellite emergency services.

“Our users will then be able to activate a satellite service as and when necessary, be it for leisure in remote areas, work purposes, day-today contact or emergencies,” he said.

XOX intends to distribute these new offerings across Southeast Asia through its existing partnerships in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia by the second quarter of 2020.