Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil has announced that the 5G network coverage in Malaysia has achieved a significant milestone, reaching 73% of populated areas.
He indicated that the government is well on its way to reaching the year-end target of 80% coverage, with only a seven percent gap remaining, according to Bernama.
However, he highlighted certain challenges, such as land-related issues, which need coordination with local authorities.
In response, Fahmi has instructed the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) chairman, Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din, to convene a meeting with relevant stakeholders to resolve these outstanding issues.
Fahmi stressed that 5G is a national initiative requiring a collaborative effort to expedite progress and development in the country.
Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB), established in 2021, aligns with the Malaysian Digital Economy Action Plan (MyDIGITAL) and is tasked with accelerating 5G infrastructure and network implementation, as well as harnessing the economic potential of 5G in Malaysia.
As of September 2023, 5G adoption in Malaysia stands at 9.1%, reflecting an increase from the previous 7.4%. Fahmi stated that the full potential of 5G can be realised if micro, small, and medium enterprises better comprehend its principles.
He underscored the importance of optimising the government’s efforts to create a data highway, not only for larger corporations but also for medium-sized businesses.
Fahmi further shared his observations regarding 5G adoption, recounting a visit to a DHL warehouse that utilises 5G for robotics and drone services.
The company reported a substantial increase in productivity, with the ability to count almost 8,000 pellets per day using 5G technology, compared to the manual count of 1,000 pellets per day.
