News & Reviews:   Digital Nasional Berhad

Earlier, we had heard the news that Maxis and U Mobile backed out of taking up stakes in Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) for the 5G rollout in Malaysia. Until now, DNB has confirmed that it's proceeding with the plan with the four remaining carriers without the two mentioned ones.

Today is the deadline day for the 5G service agreement in Malaysia and it seems that the 5G single-wholesale network under Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) may exclude Maxis and U Mobile. This is after both telco companies reportedly say no to taking up stakes in DNB, despite agreeing to the matter back in June 2022.

U Mobile earlier this month launched new U Postpaid plans that are “5G ready” with up to 1TB of mobile internet data in Malaysia. Now, it looks like the telco company is further closer to 5G enrolment as its official website now shows U Mobile’s upcoming 5G network coverage in our country.

There have been some significant developments in the rollout of the 5G network in Malaysia recently. Previously, we reported that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is meeting today on Digital Nasional Berhad’s (DNB) terms of the 5G agreement and now, it look like Celcom is ready to offer 5G network trials for its users as early as next month.

We are just two days away from the "final" deadline but in case you missed the news, Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) will meet the six telcos to sign the agreement on 31 August 2022. Before that takes place, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will have a meeting today to decide on some terms.

Telekom Malaysia (TM) has announced that it is currently in the final negotiation stage with Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) for the 5G single wholesale network agreement in our country. During a media briefing today, TM is confident that it will meet the 31 August 2022 deadline set by the Ministry of Finance (MOF) for said agreement as well as the equity agreement to become a DNB shareholder.

At the start of the year, many of us were hoping to get 5G access by the middle of the year. However, progress stalled as local telcos clamoured to have a piece of the pie. Now, it looks like things are finally proceeding so we could enjoy 5G soon. In fact, Malacca should be able to have decent 5G coverage by next month.

It wasn't that long ago that our Finance Minster Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said that all six major telcos will have to finalise their agreements by the end of 31 August 2022. But how would our 5G coverage be like once that's over? According to industry insiders, about 30% of populated areas may experience it.

Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz today revealed that foreign telecommunication companies are ‘queuing up’ for access to Malaysia’s 5G single wholesale network under his ministry’s Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB). However, he said that local established telcos should be given the first bite. 

We are almost in the middle of August and there's still no official news from any telcos that they have signed on Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB)'s 5G single wholesale network. Initially, our Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa said they have agreed but it seems that Maxis and U Mobile may miss out.