GEORGE TOWN, Aug 4 — Global 5G leader Ericsson has picked Malaysia as one of its 11 main manufacturing sites globally and the first hub in South-east Asia to produce cutting-edge 5G products to support global and local 5G roll-outs.

Ericsson Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh president David Hägerbro said the production of Ericsson’s global 5G radio equipment in Malaysia is part of its broad range of initiatives to bring its global experiences, expertise and insights to Malaysia in support of the government’s aim to become a digital leader.

"Malaysia is an important market for Ericsson, and this initiative will contribute to the local economy through employment and the transfer of technical knowledge to the local workforce in areas such as manufacturing, product engineering and equipment testing,” he said in his speech at the inauguration of the Ericsson Global 5G Equipment Manufacturing facility here today.

The event was also attended by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital, Teo Nie Ching.

Hägerbro said the 5G radio equipment being produced in Malaysia includes Ericsson’s industry-leading lightweight and energy-efficient Massive MIMO (Maximum Input, Maximum Output) antenna-integrated radios produced in Prai, Penang, in partnership with United States-based electronics manufacturer, Flex.

Ericsson has been in Malaysia since 1965 and is a world leader in 5G technology, currently powering 147 live networks across 63 countries, including Malaysia. — Bernama