Today, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil announced that his ministry, in collaboration with a task force comprising officials from various government bodies, is actively discussing the selection of Malaysia’s second network provider following the state-owned Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB).
A decision is expected to be reached by the middle of this month. Fahmi explained that these discussions involve determining which Mobile Network Operator (MNO) will be associated with either Entity A (Digital Nasional Berhad) or Entity B, according to a news report by Malay Mail.
He emphasised that the signing of the share subscription agreement for equity acquisition in DNB is the initial step, and discussions regarding the second network provider will progress further once this agreement is in place.
Regarding the timeline, Fahmi stated that if all things go well, the government will announce the decision before the middle of this month.
In May, Fahmi had previously announced that the rollout of 5G would continue under DNB’s purview until it achieves 80% population coverage. After reaching this milestone, the transition to a dual wholesale network model will take place.
Currently, DNB holds the exclusive rights to Malaysia’s 5G spectrum and is responsible for developing the country’s 5G infrastructure, which it will lease to telecommunications companies under the single wholesale network model.
Could Huawei be the second 5G provider?
Last week, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that Malaysia requires a balance between Western and Eastern technology within the country, and the government allows Huawei to participate in the 5G development.
Both the European Union and the U.S. had cautioned Malaysia about potential national security and foreign investment risks, particularly as Huawei sought a role in the nation’s telecommunications infrastructure.
It remains to be seen if the second 5G provider will be Huawei or another Chinese company.
