While Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) has already achieved 80% coverage for 5G connectivity in Malaysia, a second 5G network is expected to roll out but there are still no signs of it. To refresh your memory, DNB will be overtaken by a private company after achieving its goal.
According to our Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, he said that the second 5G network rollout will be delayed. The reason being is the board of DNB to take shape before the rollout. To quote his words, "We are waiting for the formation of the board of DNB because since the share subscription agreement was signed on December 1 last year, a discussion session was held," he said.
He also added that there were a few points of discussion with all the telco CEOs and they have sent a letter to the Treasury secretary-general Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican for consideration. So at the moment, everyone is waiting for a response from the treasury. As it involves legal aspects, it will take time and Fadzil will leave this matter to a special committee co-chaired by the Communications Ministry and Chief Secretary of Treasury.
To recap, the five major mobile network operators (MNO) signed the SSA on 1 December 1 last year. Each holds a 14% stake in DNB and it took them "forever" to reach an agreement after more than a year. Initially, the MNOs threatened to boycott signing for DNB shares, so Anwar's government agreed to set up a second purely commercial entity to develop a second 5G network.
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