Communication and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa has made a staggering statement in relation to MOF’s decision to make Digital Nasional Berhad the sole entity in rolling out the 5G network in the country.
In a statement released, the Minister said that the cabinet will make the final decision on whether to use a single wholesale model for the rollout of 5G, which is supposed to start by January 2022, as the decision made after the Ministry receives feedback from telecommunication companies and industry players.
He added the cabinet is still in the midst of discussing whether to deploy 5G via a single wholesale network (SWN) system or have multiple systems to allow some competition.
This comes, as DNB had been in the spotlight of late after news broke that network operators have been dragging their feet in agreeing to the terms put in by the company for the 5G rollout. International Media, Reuters recently reported that issues regarding pricing and transparency were concerns that need to be addressed. It also added on how this single state-owned deployment had failed in many others parts.
DNB however has already initiated trials with TM where testing is underway for spots in Klang Valley that will offer 5G for selected Unifi Mobile users.
The choice to use the single wholesale model was mooted during Tan Sri Muyhiddin’s leadership and was strongly recommended by Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul, however, the issue has become rather heated when certain parties were raising the matter in parliament due to lack of competitiveness.
Tan Sri Annuar Musa has indicated until the decision is made, for now, Digital Nasional Bhd will continue with its plan of delivering 5G services via SWN. He further alluded that the cabinet is seeking a second opinion or views from industry players on the matter.
“We will look at the advantages and disadvantages of both models,” he concluded.
The 5G nationwide deployment is reputed to cost around RM11 billion with DNB confirming that Ericsson will be the main vendor for the whole project.
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