KUALA LUMPUR – Mobile network operators (MNOs) and Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) are expected to sign share subscription agreements (SSAs) by the middle of this month, said Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
He was quoted by Bernama as saying that the government's focus currently is to execute the SSAs for the MNOs to take up equity in the DNB before furthering discussions on the 5G second network deployment.
"The first step is the signing (of the SSAs), and I was informed by the 5G Taskforce that if all things go well, this will be done before the middle of this month," he told the media after the launching of Petronas 5G Private Network adoption today.
Five MNOs, namely CelcomDigi Bhd, Maxis Bhd, Telekom Malaysia Bhd, U Mobile Sdn Bhd and YTL Communications Sdn Bhd have agreed to take up equity stakes in DNB to support the country's 5G network development.
The MNOs will hold equal stakes in the DNB, while the government will maintain its 35 per cent stake in the 5G network infrastructure outfit.
The minister also highlighted that the government will retain its stake in the DNB ahead of the deployment of the dual network model for the 5G rollout.
“For the time being, the Cabinet has not made any decision to divest," he added.
Fahmi noted that the government has yet to decide as to which MNOs will be participating in the second network for the soon-to-be deployed 5G dual network next year.
“We are getting request for proposals, and discussions are still ongoing, facilitated by the 5G Taskforce which is co-chaired by the Communications and Digital Ministry’s secretary-general as well as the Treasury secretary-general," he said.
On July 21, Fahmi had said that CelcomDigi, Maxis, Telekom Malaysia, U Mobile and YTL Communications would finalise negotiations on equity stakes in DNB, thereby supporting the development of the country’s 5G network.
It is part of the government's plan to introduce a second 5G network through a new entity after the 5G implementation model was changed from a single wholesale network (SWN) to a dual network.
The development of the 5G network under the SWN model through DNB would continue until it reaches 80% coverage of populated areas, before switching to a dual-network model – The Vibes, October 6, 2023
