Motorola expands digital cellular system in Malaysia; Maxis Mobile, Binariang's GSM network, becomes country's first GSM commercial system.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 28, 1995-- Motorola's International Cellular Infrastructure Division (ICID) has been awarded a contract to expand the digital cellular phone system for Maxis Mobile, the network in Malaysia owned and operated by Binariang Communications Sdn. Bhd.

Launched in August of this year, Maxis Mobile is the country's first GSM network to be deployed for commercial service.

As part of the contract, Motorola will add more than 250 cell sites to increase network capacity and extend geographic coverage of the existing GSM cellular phone system. The Binariang system currently serves 65,000 subscribers in the major cities of Kuala Lumpur, Pinang and Johor Baharu. The expansion will extend coverage to 90 percent of the population in Peninsular Malaysia.

The project, which is being implemented in two phases, will be deployed throughout this year and into 1996.

``The expansion of the Maxis Mobile digital cellular network will more than double the subscriber capacity of the system in Malaysia,'' said Pertti Johansson, corporate vice president and general manager of Motorola's ICID. ``Binariang has been quick to recognize the benefits of GSM technology and the need for expanding its Maxis Mobile network to better serve cellular users throughout the country. Motorola is pleased with the continued confidence Binariang has placed in our cellular system equipment and services.''

GSM or Global System for Mobile Communications is a digital cellular standard based on an open architecture network that allows operators to combine equipment from a variety of suppliers and gives subscribers the ability to roam between countries. Adopted internationally, GSM uses the same number of frequencies as traditional analog but in tighter re-use patterns to provide for greater call capacity. Motorola has been awarded more than 40 GSM contracts worldwide.

Binariang Communications is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Binariang Sdn. Bhd., which has a complete range of authorizations from the Malaysian government to develop a 21st century communications infrastructure in the country. When completed, the fully-integrated infrastructure will incorporate the nation's first satellite system (MEASAT) and its associated ground systems; a fixed wireline network based on a hybrid fiber optic and coaxial architecture; international gateway operations; and a fully digital mobile communications service based on the GSM system. This infrastructure will be the backbone of the Binariang's multimedia services -- to be offered under its service name, Maxis -- which will meet the communications, entertainment and information needs of business and residential customers.

Motorola is one of the world's leading providers of wireless communications, semiconductors, and advanced electronic systems and services. Major equipment businesses include cellular infrastructure, cellular telephone, two-way radio, paging and data communications, personal communications, automotive, defense and space electronics and computers. Communication devices and millions of consumer products are powered by Motorola semiconductors. Motorola's 1994 sales were $22.2 billion.

CONTACT: Motorola CIG, Arlington Heights

Mary Anne McAndrew, 708/632-2775