A task force will be established to ensure that Digital Nasional Berhad’s (DNB) 5G network provides 80% coverage in the country.
According to local reports, the Communications and Digital Minister, Fahmi Fadzil, stated that the task force’s objective is to also ensure a seamless transition to the dual 5G network by early 2024. Recently, Malaysia announced plans to launch a second 5G network in January 2024 to address concerns about transparency and pricing and prevent a government-owned network from creating a national monopoly. The implementation of the 5G network will be the key to its success.
In related news, a new entity will take over DNB after it achieves 80% 5G coverage by the end of this year, as stated by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). This move will convert the government-owned 5G wholesale service network operator into a completely private company under the new entity.
Among Malaysia’s main telco companies are Maxis Berhad, Celcom, Digi, U Mobile, Telekom Malaysia and YTL Communications.
For the data center industry, the successful rollout of the new 5G network could further spur the growth of the sector in the country. Industry experts believe it will allow for faster data transfer, which would help drive the edge data center segment. It will also encourage hyperscalers and co-location players to build edge data centers that are closer to where the population is located.
