[ UPDATE 14/12/2022 8:30 ] iPhone users can finally connect to 5G in Malaysia.
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YTL Communications’ Yes 5G remains Malaysia’s first and only commercial 5G service provider and they are offering unlimited 5G and 4G data from as low as RM58/month without FUP. While anyone residing within Digital Nasional Berhad’s coverage areas can start enjoying high-speed mobile data today on a 5G phone, users with the latest iPhone models are still being left out. The iPhone 12 and 13 series have the hardware to support 5G but they remain unsupported by Yes 5G.
When asked about it during an interview with Ibrahim Sani on Astro Awani, YTL Communications CEO Wing K Lee said Apple devices are capable of supporting 5G but he revealed that there’s a licensing deal with operators. He said anyone that signs up as an Apple telco partner will have the ability to sell Apple devices. At the moment, Wing says Yes 5G hasn’t done that deal yet.
When asked why not, he said it is all commercial and at some point, they will discuss it with Apple again. He said they have been in talks with Apple and are good friends with their teams here. Without giving specific details, he said he is looking forward to the opportunity of enabling Apple devices on their network. He said basically, it boils down to commercials.
As we’ve written previously, only Apple telco partners will be able to enjoy the full suite of services available. If you refer to Apple’s website, only Celcom, Digi, Maxis and U Mobile are listed and they are allowed to enable eSIM, FaceTime, VoLTE and WiFi Calling. Similarly when 4G was first rolled out, iPhone 5 users in Malaysia on supported telcos were pushed a carrier-specific settings update which enabled LTE. If the big four do offer 5G services via DNB, it is safe to assume that their iPhone customers will be able to enjoy 5G.
Coincidentally, the big four telcos are also offering new iPhone devices on contract which is something not available with Unifi Mobile and Yes. It is likely that such deals might require a minimum volume commitment which can be challenging for telcos with a smaller customer base.
DNB, the national 5G single wholesale network, has also clarified that they do not certify or approve 5G devices for their network. The certification is led by SIRIM with the guidance of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
When Yes 5G first launched its service back in December 2021, the network could only support a handful of devices, predominantly from Chinese manufacturers such as Xiaomi, Vivo, Realme, Oppo and Huawei. In the following months, Samsung Galaxy devices could finally connect to the 5G network after a software update.
According to Wing, Yes 5G currently works with over 100 5G smartphone models. More than 20 Samsung Galaxy models are already listed on their supported devices list which includes their flagship Galaxy S and Z series, as well as the affordable Galaxy A and M series.
As shared recently, DNB currently has 90% 5G population coverage in Kuala Lumpur, Cyberjaya and Putrajaya. On the national level, the network covers 30% of the population and it aims to achieve 80% population coverage by the end of 2024.
None of the big four telcos have started to offer 5G services and the Ministry of Finance has urged the telcos to agree on DNB’s terms by Merdeka Day or risk losing out on access to 5G.
Related reading
- YTLC CEO: DNB now has 90% 5G population coverage in KL, Putrajaya and Cyberjaya, 30% nationwide
- KL ranked second fastest for 5G download speeds in APAC but 5G coverage remains among the lowest
- Yes 5G coverage is now available in Ipoh
- Yes claims to offer the world’s cheapest and fastest unlimited 5G plan, priced from RM58/month
