MBI Selangor Subsidiaries Form Strategic Alliance To Explore Dark Fibre Network 2.0

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 (Bernama) -- Smartsel Sdn Bhd and Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor), key subsidiaries of Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporation) (MBI Selangor), will explore the proposed Selangor Dark Fibre Network 2.0, which aims to leverage existing utility corridors to deploy high-capacity fibre networks.

The initiative aims to meet growing connectivity demand from telecommunications operators, data centres, cloud providers, artificial intelligence infrastructure and businesses.

The collaboration between the two subsidiaries was formalised today after the exchange of a memorandum of collaboration (MoC) at the MBI Pavilion during the Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) 2026.

The partnership combines Air Selangor’s water utility infrastructure with Smartsel’s digital infrastructure and technology capabilities to develop digital connectivity and intelligent infrastructure across the state.

MBI Selangor group chief executive officer Datuk Ts Saipolyazan M Yusop said the collaboration aimed to translate group synergy into commercial opportunities and greater value for Selangor.

“We must move beyond the traditional mindset of operating as separate companies. We must begin to see ourselves as part of a larger ecosystem, where the assets of one company can create opportunities for another,” he said in a statement.

The two companies will also explore smart water technologies, including fibre sensing, Internet of Things (IoT) and real-time monitoring, to strengthen pipeline surveillance, enable earlier leak detection and improve operational efficiency.

The companies will also further assess the potential use of selected elevated water tank and service reservoir sites for telecommunications infrastructure, distributed edge computing and modular data centres, subject to technical feasibility and operational requirements.

“The collaboration will also explore enterprise connectivity, managed information technology, cloud services and cybersecurity to support Air Selangor’s digital transformation,” the statement said.

Both companies intend to establish a joint working framework to evaluate priority initiatives, assess technical and commercial feasibility, and develop mutually agreed implementation roadmaps.

-- BERNAMA