According to Communication Minister, Tan Sri Annuar Musa, the Ministry of Finance will be holding a series of discussions with telecommunication operators, on the earlier made decision by the Cabinet in distributing stakes of Digital Nasional Berhad.
With 70% up for negotiation for the single entity which will be managing the 5G for the country, it will now have Mobile Network Operators as partners for the national undertaking that could span over 5 years. Tan Sri Annuar added that the negotiations will be concluded by June 2022 and will be managed by MOF as the Ministry is the main equity holder and will be even after the stake sale.
On the MNOs who will be invited to the negotiation, the Minister said only those who have experience in spectrum management will be offered first. Adding that there are currently seven or nine in the mix and that they will be offered to purchase shares at a determined price.
With that, it would also mean MVNO’s will not be in the running and only current spectrum holders could contend to be included for the inclusion in 5G. All major network providers in the country have been managing spectrums including 4G which is being amplified in preparation for the arrival of 5G.
Malaysian has been in flux over 5G rollout when a stalemate occurred between the government-owned DNB, preferring the Single Wholesale Network and the MNO’s who proposed for a Dual Network Wholesale model, however, the matter was discussed in the Cabinet with the final decision being made to proceed with the former.
It now leaves just for MOF to put up the share sale and for the telcos to move forward with 5G rollout.
