MALAYSIA’s key digital initiatives, namely the dual 5G network and MyDigital ID, are now seeing positive strides in their rollout.
Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo has confirmed that a “more effective” deployment of 5G technology across various sectors will commence in April.
Speaking to the media recently, Gobind emphasised that Malaysia had successfully achieved its target of 50 use cases across six sectors in 2024, and additional work is underway to develop 30 more use cases for 2025.
"These use cases demonstrate how 5G can enhance daily life. For instance, in healthcare, doctors can perform remote surgeries, leveraging 5G's fast and stable connection," The Star quoted Gobind saying.
The sectors that have reached the milestone of 50 use cases include energy, healthcare, agriculture, transportation, manufacturing, and education.
Gobind also assured that challenges related to spectrum allocation had been resolved, paving the way for a smoother rollout.
"With these issues addressed, the rollout will be faster and more effective from April onwards," he added.
The digital minister also touched on the topic of delays in the national digital initiatives.
Just two months ago, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim expressed dissatisfaction with the delayed execution of these projects, noting that the rollout of MyDigital ID was a year behind schedule, while the second 5G network remained stalled.
MyDigital ID is a government-backed initiative aimed at providing secure online identity verification, designed to protect Malaysians from online fraud and identity theft.
Gobind said that efforts to integrate MyDigital ID into various services were ongoing. “We anticipate a significant boost to MyDigital ID adoption once we launch the Government Digital Platform in the second quarter of this year,” he said.
This platform will serve as a one-stop portal for accessing government services.
He highlighted that MyDigital ID had already been integrated with popular applications such as MySejahtera, MyJPJ, and MyBayar, with ongoing plans to link it to other platforms.
"The integration of MyDigital ID with more services is a continuous process that will drive its uptake further,” he added.
According to recent reports, over 1.3 million Malaysians have registered for the MyDigital ID as of December 2024.
On the progress of the second 5G network, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has affirmed that its implementation is moving forward as planned.
As of now, the initial rollout by Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) has achieved 82.4% coverage of populated areas, and 56.18% of mobile users are already on 5G networks.
The decision to introduce a second network provider, U Mobile Sdn Bhd, is expected to transform Malaysia's 5G landscape from a single wholesale network to a dual-network model.
In a statement, MCMC explained that efforts to facilitate a smooth transition between the two operators are ongoing.
“Ongoing engagements between the operators are helping foster collaboration and ensure that the rollout progresses smoothly,” MCMC chairman Tan Sri Salim Fateh Din said.
The regulator also mentioned that U Mobile’s detailed business plan is under evaluation, with Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil adding that U Mobile needs to fulfill certain obligations outlined in their agreement with DNB and other telecommunications providers.
The plan’s approval is crucial before the full-scale rollout of Malaysia’s second 5G network.
With both the 5G network and MyDigital ID now back on track, Malaysia’s digital infrastructure looks set to make significant strides in 2025, ensuring more secure and efficient services for citizens. – February 16, 2025
