CelcomDigi powers IOI’s digital transformation journey with estate-wide high-speed connectivity

• Estate-wide connectivity extends digital access to surrounding rural communities
• High-speed 4G connects over 100 IOI estates, enabling automation & data-driven operations

CelcomDigi Berhad has announced the completion of a large-scale connectivity and tower infrastructure deployment across IOI Corporation Berhad’s plantation estates in Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia. In a statement, the telco said the initiative supports IOI’s digital transformation across its plantation operations, while extending reliable coverage to surrounding rural communities.

To date, CelcomDigi has deployed over 100 4G and 4G LTE network sites across more than 100 IOI estates nationwide, alongside dedicated Direct Internet Access for estate offices. The company said this end-to-end solution accelerates the digitalisation of core activities, including mill automation, mobile workforce applications, IoT-enabled asset and fleet management, and future data-led use cases essential to modern plantation management.

With high-speed connectivity in place, IOI can progressively integrate intelligent systems and automate processes to improve productivity, operational visibility, and safety. In agriculture, estate-wide connectivity is a critical first step in modernising operations, enabling organisations to integrate systems and data to build scalable, efficient, and sustainable workflows.

Beyond plantation operations, the connectivity also benefits surrounding rural communities by improving access to education, healthcare, and essential digital services. By strengthening digital inclusion, the initiative supports broader socioeconomic progress and enables more communities to participate in Malaysia’s digital economy.

Afizulazha Abdullah, chief enterprise business officer of CelcomDigi, said, “In the plantation sector, businesses with consistent, estate-wide connectivity see measurable gains in operational efficiency and digital adoption. Early adopters report higher productivity and faster progress toward revenue goals through connected operations.”

“IOI now has the digital foundation to scale automation and intelligent systems across its plantations and mills. This is how we power the next phase of growth — delivering operational gains, supporting sustainable practices, and strengthening surrounding communities,” he added.

Commenting on the partnership, IOI Plantation director NB Sudhakaran said, “Our ambition is to transform IOI’s plantations into integrated, connected operations that can compete on productivity and sustainability over the long term. Partnering with CelcomDigi brings the network capability and shared commitment needed to address real challenges on the ground.”

“By leveraging this connectivity as the foundation for integrated digital operations, we aim to scale automation, implement smart fleet and asset management, and strengthen data-led decision-making,” he added.

The collaboration reflects CelcomDigi’s commitment to building Malaysia’s 5G digital society by providing enterprises with the digital foundations needed for growth. It forms part of CelcomDigi Business’ ambition to digitalise industries with next-generation connectivity and solutions, enabling them to compete and thrive in Malaysia’s digital economy.