Malaysia Airports, Maxis in airport digital services deal

• To manage, streamline connectivity services via a single operator model
• Partnership include expertise to develop 5G related network services, solutions 

As part of its Airports 4.0 digitalisation initiatives, Malaysia Airports has entered into a strategic partnership with Maxis to co-develop a digital transformation roadmap for smart airport operations. 

In a statement, the airport operator said it aims to leverage Maxis as the single telco operator to manage its connectivity services. 

It added that Maxis will manage the WiFi and 5G-related network services and solutions at both terminals of the nation’s airport, KL International Airport (KLIA).

The telco will also be developing 5G-enabled digital solutions for Malaysia Airports’ airport tenants and passengers, it said.

“5G will be the catalyst for connecting us to new business and economic opportunities,” said Mohd Shukrie Mohd Salleh, the group chief executive officer (CEO) of Malaysia Airports.

“The deployment of 5G will strengthen the foundation for enabling new technologies and digitalisation of our airport operations.”

Mohd Shukrie said it hoped to create a new, smart travel experience for the passengers, and both parties will co-create 5G use cases and solutions for smart travel and tourism, as well as for smart retail and smart security.

“Ultimately, we hope this partnership will be able to transform our airports to become Smart Airports,” said Mohd Shukrie.

Maxis’s CEO, Gokhan Ogut highlighted that airports have evolved from being a transit hub into a destination for an end-to-end travel experience. 

“While we await the skies to fully reopen, we are eager to start work with Malaysia Airports to enhance their connectivity experience and services to its visitors and passengers.

“There is no doubt that 5G will unlock immense potential and possibilities for an elevated customer experience, and we are committed to play our part to offer the best 5G innovation to benefit the people and businesses in the country with our expertise and resources,” said Ogut.

Malaysia Airports said the availability of 5G-related network services and solutions at the airport by Maxis will facilitate and enhance the digital transformation of KLIA’s (including klia2) ecosystem in all aspects including connectivity and development of smart solutions.

It added that the smart Wi-Fi infrastructure is a holistic solution with in-built capabilities such as data analytics.

This will help airport retailers tap into this resource to better understand customer behaviour and provide insights to capitalise on omnichannel marketing and ensure a seamless sales experience, it said.

Malaysia Airports said it will partner Maxis to jointly develop smart retail as well as smart travel and tourism solutions that will provide an unmatched personalised experience for passengers.

This includes building a “Tourist Hub” platform for passengers to have centralised access to travel guides, promotions and offers, it said.

The long-term goal is to create a converged digital ecosystem of Malaysia Airports’ existing solutions and new ones developed by Maxis to truly transform the airports with a “passenger first” experience.