KUALA LUMPUR – The cabinet will deliberate on the country’s 5G network rollout at its weekly meeting this Wednesday, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said.
He said the government has yet to make a decision, especially on whether to allow a dual wholesale network or another 5G network apart from Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB), currently the sole authorised entity to deploy a 5G network in the country.
“Right now we are still in the process of review. We have had discussions with all related and relevant parties.
“We have not come to a decision yet. So, we have to wait for the announcement when it happens,” he said during a press conference after attending a community event in his Lembah Pantai constituency today.
Fahmi was asked about a news report by Reuters that a second 5G network would be introduced by January next year so as to prevent a monopoly.
The report quoted sources and said the plan for a second network could depend on the reach of 5G coverage achieved by DNB. The target is 80% of populated areas by the end of this year.
Similarly, The Vibes reported last month that at least four major telcos – Celcom, Digi, Maxis, and U Mobile, collectively known in the industry as the “CDMU” – have backed up the bid for a second network, in essence, a move to bring back the dual wholesale network previously rejected by the government.
Fahmi today gave an update on 5G rollout coverage, which he said was 54.7% nationwide, while Kuala Lumpur has reached 97% network coverage.
“...which means that for the next stage, 25% of populated areas where we need to deploy 5G, won’t be in Kuala Lumpur, it will be in other areas.
“The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission will guide that process to make sure we reach 80% population coverage of 5G by the end of 2023,” he said. – The Vibes, April 16, 2023
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