News & Reviews:   DNB

Today, Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) and Cybersecurity Malaysia (CSM) have signed a Collaboration Agreement. To witness this new partnership between the two parties, YB Tuan Gobind Sigh Deo, Minister of Digital Malaysia, was present at DNB's My5G Portal experience centre earlier today.

Back in January, we reported how Malaysia’s 5G network coverage in populated areas finally reached the 80 per cent target, hitting 80.2% coverage as of 31 December 2023. However, it seems that the coverage rate has stumbled this year, as only a mere 1.5 per cent coverage increase was recorded in 5 months.

It's been a while since we got some updates on the dual 5G network news but in early June, it was reported that the telcos were ready to sign a dual-network 5G share subscription agreement with DNB. This time, our local Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil announced that it's ready to roll out.

Maxis Bhd today in a statement announced that it’s ready to complete the Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) share subscription agreement (SSA) process for the rollout of the second 5G network. Moreover, the telco company asserted that it’s ready to sign the shareholders agreement with DNB in accordance with the SSA’s terms.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil today announced that telco companies involved in the dual-network 5G model are ready to sign an agreement to take up equities in Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB). He added that this is in line with the timeline to complete the share subscription agreement process for the DNB equity acquisition by 21 June.

The Digital Ministry announced that the 5G network coverage in Malaysia is now at 85 per cent, in line with the government’s goal to advance the country’s digital aspect. For reference, this is a 5 per cent increase compared to last month.

In this short announcement, Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) finally announced the appointment of new Board members. Following the Share Subscription Agreements (SSAs) signed between DNB, the Ministry of Finance and our local Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) on 1 December 2023, the new Board members comprise senior leaders from our local telco and technology industry. 

Last week, we reported news coverage by an international source about the delay of the dual 5G network agreement. Long story short, the next phase seems to be in a status quo as there is a growing mistrust between government officials and telco executives. However, Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) stated that there are several misleading claims.

So at the end of March, our Communications Minister, Fahmi Fadzil told the media that the Dual 5G network meeting was expected to be held in early April. There was no news regarding that until now, as ChannelNewsAsia.com just reported that the next phase is in a status quo. 

Despite the announcement that Malaysia will transition to a dual-5G network after reaching 80 per cent coverage in populated areas (which was achieved in December 2023), the policy has been delayed with no clear timeframe given by the Government. Well, if the Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd (Kenanga IB) is to be believed, the dual-5G network is expected to be announced by the government in the 2nd quarter of this year.