In order to speed up the implementation of 5G infrastructure and network in Malaysia, Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) was founded in the early March 2021. Its main service is to provide 5G as a wholesale network service to other telecommunication companies.
The first rollout of the 5G services in Malaysia was launched on 15 December 2021, by YTL (Yes). At the time of writing, majority of the big telcos are offering 5G services, with the exception of Maxis.
Malay Mail reports that according to the Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil, DNB has spent a total of RM1.89 billion for the nationwide 5G rollout project as of 31 December 2022, and has built 3,906 out of the planned 7,509 5G sites since the project’s launch.
The 5G project is estimated to cost RM16.5 billion in the next decade, including RM12.5 billion for 5G network hardware and infrastructure and RM4 billion for corporate cost expenditure.
As for 5G network availability, 47.1% of the population in populated areas have access to the infrastructure, but the 5G services are not yet available to the users. The availability of 5G services is at 38.2% of the population in populated areas.
In addition, DNB has built eight 5G sites in Perlis last year and plans to build 35 more by the end of this year, including localities at the Malaysia-Thailand borders.
During the tabling of Budget 2023, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that at the end of 2022, DNB has reached 50% coverage of populated areas and it is targeted to reach 80% coverage by the end of 2023.
Just a few days ago, Fahmi said the government is considering whether to proceed with DNB 5G rollout model, the single wholesale network (SWN). But the big telcos are considering going with dual wholesale network (DWN) instead.
