The current 5G rollout in Malaysia by Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) was briefly referenced by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during the presentation of the amended Budget 2023. In order to guarantee that it meets its 5G deployment goals, it appears that DNB will continue to serve as a single 5G wholesale network, albeit with improved management.
He claimed in his address that the 5G plan had been launched by the previous administration through DNB and had reached 50% population coverage by the end of 2022.
In order to guarantee the complete participation of all telcos in the nation, he continued, the Unity Government is now adopting the strategy of managing DNB more transparently and comprehensively. By the end of 2023, it hopes to have 80% of the populace covered by 5G.
Anwar continued by saying that achieving complete 5G coverage at affordable costs for the general public is eventually the most crucial objective.
Due to concerns that it wasn't done transparently, the Prime Minister requested a review of the current 5G deployment plans after the change of administration. Fahmi Fadzil, the recently appointed Minister of Communications and Digital, has also voiced worries about the cost and pace of the country's 5G rollout. By the end of March 2023, a thorough evaluation of the 5G launch via DNB is anticipated to be finished.
When presenting the 2023 Budget, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stated that RM725 million ringgit will be allocated for this year's implementation of digital connectivity in 47 industrial zones and nearly 3,700 schools.
At the present, 5 telcos—YTL Communications, Telekom Malaysia, Celcom, Digi, and U Mobile—have signed 5G access agreements with DNB. The only telco that hasn't joined DNB for 5G connectivity is Maxis. The green telco announced last month that it would postpone making a choice until after the government had finished its investigation into DNB.
Source: TheSunDaily.my, TheEdgeMarkets.com, NST.com.my
