KUALA LUMPUR: A giant telecommunications group from China is betting on Malaysia to expand its fifth generation (5G) technology and is eyeing several companies here to help build the network.

Sources said the Chinese group was investing billions of ringgit on 5G technology this year, despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

"They are seeking partners with 5G capabilities and have targeted a few companies here. They hope to start talks post-movement control order," said a source.

It is understood that the group was looking at Green Packet Bhd and XOX Bhd, which are 5G-ready.

Green Packet's shares rose to a new multiple-year high yesterday, gaining as much as 23 sen or 19.01 per cent to RM1.41- a level last seen in 2010.

XOX, which has about RM35 million cash on hand, currently offers the most competitive and innovative 4G data plan, and is focusing to build 5G infrastructure in the region.

The company's shares surged 11.11 per cent amid active trading on Friday to close at five sen, giving it a market capitalisation of RM54.62 million.

The counter increased one sen with 154 million shares traded.

Early this year, XOX partnered with Advance Tech Communication Sdn Bhd (ATC) to launch 4G and 5G smartphones, with additional satellite communication capabilities termed XPLORE.

XOX will be the first telco to market and distribute the products to its users across Southeast Asia.

Its executive director Steve Tan has said that the company aimed to provide a unified network plan by integrating XOX's prepaid plans and messaging platform with ATC's extensive satellite emergency services.

"XOX is a good target for investors. XOX is ranked fifth in the telecom sector and is the number one MVNO company in Malaysia with current customer base reaching almost three million, including prepaid and post paid mobile phone users.

"The stock is relatively very cheap. It is currently the cheapest telecom stock on the local bourse and has potential upside," the source said.

Last month, XOX inked an agreement with DGB Asia Bhd to collaborate in the deployment of up to 1,000 next generation AI vending machines.

This move is in line with XOX's strategy to focus on different silos of its business to build up its revenue streams.

An analyst who spoke on condition of anonymity said telecom stocks were expected to rally as the sector was making handsome profits amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Valuations of telecom stocks are becoming attractive again and the sector is expected to grow at an accelerated rate with the current shifts happening in digital landscapes such as 5G, the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence.

"If you look at Maxis, Celcom and DiGi, the stocks are all up. We can expect a new high in telecom stocks this year," he said.

https://www.nst.com.my/business/2020/05/593721/china-eyeing-malaysian-companies-expand-5g-tech