Creating healthy 5G competition | The Star

PETALING JAYA: The search for a mobile network operator (MNO) to build the country’s second 5G network has begun to ensure fair pricing and quality services, it was announced.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the second 5G network will help enhance 5G coverage and create healthy competition in the telecommunications sector.

He said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission had been instructed to start the process to identify and appoint an operator, including issuing the Applicant Information Package on July 1.

Fahmi said the process would be transparent based on the powers and provisions stipulated under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, he added.

“The Communications Ministry is committed to implementing the government’s decision for the country to transition to a dual network 5G model to end the monopoly of 5G services, to drive a more competitive and sustainable direction for the telecommunications industry,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Fahmi welcomed the announcement of Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) on the fulfilment of the conditions precedent for the Share Subscription Agreement (SSA) with CelcomDigi, Maxis, U Mobile and YTL Communications to hold shares in DNB.

“This is one of the key steps towards the transition to a dual network 5G model,” he added.

In a statement yesterday, DNB confirmed that all previous conditions contained under the SSA were successfully met on June 20.

DNB said this was an important milestone concerning the SSA with the four MNOs in Malaysia.

On Tuesday, Fahmi said the government remained committed in implementing a dual 5G network policy, as the telecommunications companies involved in the dual network model will complete the equity holding process in DNB yesterday.

He said the development of the second network will only be open to telcos that have completed equity holdings in DNB.

Fahmi said while the implementation of the second 5G network would be commercial in nature, the government had decided on a dual network policy to drive competition and ensure the sustainability of the telecommunications ecosystem in the country.