News & Reviews:   DNB

Recently, the Unity Government has announced reviews of a couple of monopolies in our country, Touch ’n Go for toll and public transport payments, as well as Puspakom for vehicle inspections. Now, it looks like the government is potentially reviewing yet another ‘monopoly’, the 5G network by Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB).

Today, our Minister of Communications and Digital, Fahmi Fadzil told the media that a new Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) CEO will be chosen soon. Not only that but it has also been decided that the Ministry of Finance will be the one that elects the new DNB CEO.

The Ministry of Communications and Digital (KKD) has revealed that the current price of 5G network services offered to consumers in Malaysia is RM1.68 per GB. Its Deputy Minister, Teo Nie Ching further revealed that this price can be further lowered with the expansion of the 5G network in our country.

The Ministry of Communications and Digital (KKD) is holding an engagement session with Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) and all local telco companies today to discuss the 5G coverage in Malaysia. Its Minister, Fahmi Fadzil said that among the discussions is for DNB to be managed in a more transparent manner.

The Ministry of Communications and Digital (KKD) is currently studying and evaluating the available options to ensure the 5G implementation will be expanded throughout Malaysia. Moreover, the Ministry is expected to announce the introduction and implementation of 5G by Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) with added features by the end of March 2023.

If you’re a Maxis user, then we have some bad news for you as you’d have to wait a bit longer to enjoy access to the 5G network in our country. This is following the telco’s announcement that it will postpone seeking its shareholders’ approval on the entry into the 5G access agreement with Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB).

Previously, we reported on Digital Nasional Bhd’s (DNB) statement that the 5G network coverage in Malaysia reached almost 50 per cent in 2022 and that it is on track for up to 80 per cent coverage in 2024. However, it looks like DNB may have jumped the gun or didn’t disclose its data or sources for the claim as the Communications and Digital Ministry (KKD) has today questioned the figure’s validity, revealing that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) had not yet verified the information. 

According to Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), Malaysia’s targeted 5G network coverage is now ahead of schedule, reaching almost 50% for 2022. The initial target was 40% coverage of populated areas.

The Communications and Digital (KKD) Minister Fahmi Fadzil has announced that the Cabinet will be deciding on the direction of the 5G network implementation in Malaysia soon. He also revealed that this ministry had held a meeting with the Finance Ministry (MOF) on Monday (12 December 2022) to discuss the implementation of the 5G network project by Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB).

Yesterday, Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) was pleased to announce its 5G network is ahead of schedule. According to the company, its 5G network will exceed 40% coverage of populated areas (COPA) nationwide by December 2022 and is on track to achieve the committed 80% COPA by 2024 or earlier.