PUTRAJAYA: More than 2,100 5G sites have been in operation and the 5G coverage have reached 33 per cent in populated areas involving eight states including the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya until end of August 2022.
Minister of Communications and Multimedia, Tan Sri Annuar Musa said, the targeted coverage of 36 per cent could be reached towards the end of 2022 and continues to give confidence that the targeted 80 per cent coverage in populated areas could be realized at the end of 2024.
“The participation in the Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) equity offer is now at the final stage involving four service provider companies namely Celcom Axiata Berhad, Digi Telecommunications Sdn. Bhd.,Telekom Malaysia Berhad and YTL Communications Sdn. Bhd.
“Discussions with the four companies run smoothly and hopefully the access agreement could be finalised and signed before 30th Sept. 2022,” Annuar said in a statement.
Annuar said, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) as the monitoring body had a meeting today (Tuesday 20th Sept.) and among other matters discussed was the progress of the implementation of 5G handled by DNB.
“I would like to remind that the government’s decision under the Economic Action Digital Malaysia Framework (MyDigital) is that 5G implementation should be through the Single Wholesale Network (SWN) and developed by DNB.
“The Ministry (K-KOMM) supports fully the policy and via MCMC has given the licenses concerned to DNB for the period of 10 years until 2031 and has provided a special 5G spectrum that has been identified,” Annuar said.
The Minister added, only these spectrums are allowed for 5G commercial services to be carried out by the service provider companies (Telcos). The development of SWN has been carried out by DNB almost one year and it is the government’s hope to speed up the implementation of 5G infrastructure and it has shown positive results.
Annuar also mentioned YTL Communications with YES service has been ahead of other companies in offering commercial services to users. Celcom via Friendly User Trial Programme has started to open 5G access to their selected users to test the 5G services and this is also a positive development.
“My hope is for the companies who wish to offer 5G retail services to speed up their actions,” Annuar said. –Malaysia World News
