According to a written parliamentary reply by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and cited by the Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, U Mobile is required to secure 80% 5G population coverage in its first year of operation, This will increase to 95% by the third year under the company’s Detailed Business Plan (DBP) for Malaysia’s second 5G network.
The rollout first began on 14 July 2025, with an initial target of upgrading 6515 sites to 5G within the first year. As of 31 October 2025, U Mobile had upgraded 2976 sites, achieving 58.2% population coverage and equipping 11 buildings with in-building 5G solutions.
What the Numbers Tell Us
The business plan mandates deployment of a standalone 5G network (SA architecture) from the outset, and delivery of in-building solutions (IBS) within four years to bolster indoor coverage. The ministry highlighted that the introduction of a second 5G operator aims to drive stronger competition, better service quality, and improved pricing — especially in underserved or rural areas.
By the October update, U Mobile had already upgraded nearly 3000 sites, reaching above 58% coverage in covered areas, which means there is still substantial work ahead to hit the 80% first-year goal. The progress suggests a rapid deployment pace is required in the remaining months of the year if U Mobile is to meet its commitment.
What It Means for Malaysia’s Telecom Landscape
This move is significant because it signals the government’s push to open up the 5G market beyond the existing large incumbents. By enforcing early coverage targets, regulators are putting clear performance expectations on U Mobile, which is comparatively smaller in subscriber base and financial scale.
A second 5G network operator could introduce more competitive pricing, faster technologies, and wider geographic rollout, which are all key benefits for Malaysian consumers and businesses.
The Takeaway
For U Mobile, the challenge is now execution: upgrading thousands of sites, installing indoor solutions, and securing enterprise business to deliver on the promise of a strong standalone 5G network. For Malaysian users, if successful, the increased competition should translate into better service and broader 5G access.
Monitoring how quickly U Mobile fulfils these targets will be critical for assessing the health of Malaysia’s next-generation connectivity rollout. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.
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