Malaysia’s U Mobile said its ULTRA5G network footprint now reaches about 2.3 million people across Sabah, supported by expanded fiber backhaul from local connectivity provider CTS Horizon.
The rollout gives the operator a larger presence in East Malaysia’s commercial, tourism and enterprise centers. U Mobile said more than 545 sites across Sabah now use upgraded fiber backhaul, with capacity of up to 10 Gbps per site. The company described that as ten times the previous maximum of 1 Gbps typically used for 4G connectivity.
CTS Horizon, formerly known as Celcom Timur (Sabah), has delivered more than 500 leased fiber circuits across western and eastern Sabah and the federal territory of Labuan since April 2025, according to the companies’ statement. The infrastructure was designed to meet U Mobile’s backhaul capacity and redundancy requirements while addressing the state’s terrain and infrastructure gaps.
The latest milestone follows U Mobile’s April 2025 appointment of CTS as a fiber leasing partner for its 5G rollout in Sabah and Labuan. At the time, the companies said CTS would upgrade existing 4G leased-circuit sites and develop additional circuits for U Mobile’s network.
U Mobile first enabled its ULTRA5G service in Kota Kinabalu in August 2025 and has since extended coverage to locations including Penampang, Tuaran, Papar and Keningau. The operator said indoor coverage is also available at Wisma Merdeka, Imago Mall and Kota Kinabalu International Airport.
In a separate February 2026 update, the company had reported wider availability across Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran, Beaufort and Kudat. The new announcement adds a quantified population reach and details the backhaul capacity supporting the expansion.
U Mobile Chief Technology Officer Woon Ooi Yuen said infrastructure partnerships such as the one with CTS have helped accelerate the rollout while strengthening network capacity and reliability. He said the company would continue expanding its footprint for consumers and businesses in Sabah.
CTS Horizon Network Division Head Ryan Blantocas Tiamson said the collaboration combines the company’s local fiber capabilities with U Mobile’s network deployment. U Mobile said the expanded footprint is intended to support digital adoption in sectors including commerce, tourism and enterprise.