KUALA LUMPUR – Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) has assured that discussions are taking place between the company and telecommunications service providers over the implementation of Malaysia’s 5G network.
In a statement today, the company stated that it is in the process of evaluating the feedback and readiness of the telecommunications service providers in rolling out the nation’s 5G infrastructure.
Further assuring the public that the company is meeting technical and security requirements, DNB claims that it has incorporated feedback from the telecommunications service providers on the design and implementation of the 5G radio access networks.
“This is a continuous process between DNB, the telcos (telecommunications companies) and our regulator (MCMC) with different focused working groups for technology, cybersecurity and commercial tracks.
“Further, DNB’s 5G network is compliant with the 3GPP requirements, which set the standards for 5G networks worldwide,” a statement by DNB read.
Specifically, on security, DNB said it adopts a “zero-trust approach” in the design, implementation and ongoing operations.
The company said the 5G network would comply with 3GPP security standards, the GSMA security framework for 5G and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission’s (MCMC) cybersecurity requirements.
“DNB is committed to 5G wholesale prices being affordable. This is what DNB was
established to achieve.
“On this point, DNB on November 11 issued a press statement, noting the incremental or marginal cost per gigabyte (GB) of 4G from the telcos; we are of the view that the cost per GB of 5G from DNB – which has been communicated to the telcos – is significantly lower,” the statement added.
Earlier, the single wholesale network’s deployment had been criticised by various parties due to its monopolistic nature as mobile network operators were compelled to use the Finance Ministry-owned DNB infrastructure to deploy 5G.
DNB, however, refuted this.
In the works are discussions between DNB and MCMC to mandate all access-seekers or companies that tap into the former’s network to agree to a complete passthrough of speed.
DNB intends on delivering 100Mbps speed at cell edge, which would provide users at the weakest point of coverage at least 100 Mbps.
It plans to integrate its network into the telcos’ core, and build a fit-for-purpose framework where companies either opt for standalone or non-standalone deployment of their services.
DNB is targeting to meet 80% of the population by 2024 and is estimating the total cost of the 5G rollout will be around RM16.5 billion.
It also asserted that it will not be relying on government guarantees, with the entire cost of deploying the network to be borne by the private sector. – The Vibes, November 13, 2021
