Yoodo users may soon be able to experience 5G as the digital telco on Celcom’s network has teased that 5G is on the way. This could be Malaysia’s first Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) to offer 5G services, beating the likes of Maxis which is still waiting for the government to complete its review of the current 5G deployment.
5G is OTW! We’re in the midst of rolling it out so you can do it better, faster.
— Yoodo (@yoodoMY) February 2, 2023
Learn more at https://t.co/OPoADvGijm #yoodoyou #5G #5GLive #yoodo pic.twitter.com/PTD50LtnRe
Yoodo has not provided clear timelines for its 5G service availability but its 5G page has stated that users will get a free trial for its 5G services. Looking at the current 5G options on Celcom, we reckon that Yoodo is likely to only offer 5G to users with high-speed data plans. Yoodo currently offers one of the best value for money monthly data plans with 20GB of high-speed data going for RM20.
To use 5G, you would need a 5G compatible device, a 5G enabled plan and be within Digital Nasional Berhad’s (DNB) 5G coverage areas. Following the Celcom-Digi merger, Celcom would need to divest its interest in Yoodo in 18 months as part of its undertaking with MCMC to address competition concerns. This means Yoodo would need a new buyer by the middle of 2024 or else it would need to cease its operations within 3 months of the expiry of the Divestiture Period. If Yoodo goes solo, it might need to sign its own 5G access agreement with DNB.
Another MVNO, XOX, has quietly launched its 5G Friendly Trial programme for selected users this month but the T&C page has been taken down. The 5G trial program is open to selected customers for a limited time and it is applicable to customers using both physical SIM and eSIM.
