Malaysia is aiming to be a leader in Southeast Asia’s 5G adoption with an ambitious plan to showcase at least 40 private network use cases across various industries by 2025. This announcement comes ahead of the country’s chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo highlighted the country’s impressive progress, achieving over 80% 5G coverage in populated areas within just two years of launching the service. “This rapid rollout is crucial for Malaysia’s digital transformation,” he said, emphasizing the importance of 5G adoption by businesses.
The country has already seen significant interest with over 13 million 5G subscribers, representing a 40% penetration rate. To further accelerate growth, Malaysia’s state-run 5G network provider, Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), is collaborating with various stakeholders. This includes the government, relevant ministries, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), telecommunication companies, and enterprises.
There are currently 12 ongoing enterprise projects testing 5G in sectors like manufacturing, oil and gas, logistics, healthcare, and plantations. “Beyond these initial trials, we see immense potential,” said Gobind. “Over 90 additional projects are under development, with 30 expected to be operational by year-end.”
DNB’s ambitious plan includes providing 5G networks to all 237 major industrial parks across Malaysia. As of April 2024, 95 parks already have full coverage. To further boost enterprise adoption, DNB partnered with Swedish technology giant Ericsson to launch a program focused on 5G-powered digitalization.
This partnership includes collaborations with leading companies like eMooVit Technology, Scania, and SKF Malaysia. They will pilot projects in autonomous transportation, fleet management, and smart manufacturing, showcasing the transformative potential of 5G technology.
Malaysia’s rapid 5G rollout and focus on private network use cases position the country as a frontrunner in digital transformation within Southeast Asia.