[ UPDATE 12/5/2023 10:55 ] Communications and Digital Ministry has updated that 61.7% is referring to the number of sites, current 5G population coverage is at 59.5%.
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Following CelcomDigi and TM’s termination of their respective share subscription agreement (SSA) with Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil has assured that Malaysia’s 5G implementation won’t be affected. The minister also shared that DNB’s 5G rollout has reached 61.7% 59.5% as of 30th April.
Fahmi said the current 5G implementation is progressing and it is expected to reach 80% by the end of this year. He reiterated once Malaysia’s 5G coverage hits 80%, the country will transition from a single wholesale network to dual network.
Commenting on the recent equity deal terminations by CelcomDigi and TM, Fahmi said the announcements by the publicly listed telcos were in line with the terms of the agreement requiring them to inform Bursa Malaysia that the previous talks had ceased and all previously agreed points had been withdrawn. This comes after the government announced a policy shift which is the first step towards dismantling DNB as the Single Wholesale Network for 5G.
Fahmi added that a new discussion will start and the telcos can start fresh discussions because the terms are different now. He said a new task force is formed to oversee the implementation process of the 5G network in the country.
As announced on 3rd May, DNB will continue to roll out 5G until it achieves 80% 5G population coverage by the end of this year. This is an expedited rollout target which is a year ahead of DNB’s original schedule. Starting January 2024, Malaysia will shift to a dual network model where there will be two entities rolling out 5G.
As shared by MCMC COO in a recent interview, one of the two private entities will take over DNB. When 80% 5G population coverage is achieved, the government will dispose of its interest, making DNB a fully private company.
Currently, a total of 5 telcos (Celcom, Digi, Telekom Malaysia, U Mobile and YTL Communications) in Malaysia are still offering 5G services as they have signed the 5G access agreement with DNB. In October last year, four telcos signed their share subscription agreement (SSA) to take up a stake in the single wholesale network. Celcom and Digi were supposed to hold a combined 25%, followed by Telekom Malaysia and YTL Communications holding 20% each, while the government via the Ministry of Finance takes the remaining 65% stake.
According to CelcomDigi and TM, they have terminated the SSA as the long stop date to fulfil all the conditions precedent under the SSA has lapsed. However, both telcos have assured that 5G services to consumers are not affected as the 5G access agreement remains intact.
[ SOURCE ]
Related reading
- Fahmi announces 5G Task Force to ensure smooth transition towards Dual Network model in Malaysia
- Malaysia to transition to Dual 5G Networks in 2024 after DNB hits 80% population coverage
- TM terminates equity deal with DNB, Unifi 5G services unaffected
- MCMC COO: Private entity to take over Digital Nasional Berhad after 80% 5G population coverage achieved
