PETALING JAYA: More Malaysians can enjoy 5G services soon now that all six major telecommunication companies (telcos) have signed the access agreements (AAs) with Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), finance minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz said.
“Maxis, U Mobile, Celcom Axiata, Digi Telecommunications, YTL Communications, and Telekom Malaysia (TM) have signed the AAs for the 5G rollout prepared by DNB,” he said in a Facebook post.
“The provision of this widespread 5G network will drive the country’s digitalisation efforts. We’re all set and ready to accelerate 5G deployment.”
5G coverage in the country has reached over 30% of populated areas and is on track to achieve the 80% target set by the government by 2024.
Yesterday, The Edge Markets reported that the six telcos had reached agreements on the terms in their respective AAs with DNB to lease the latter’s 5G network.
According to the news portal which quoted a source, the execution of the AAs are subject to final board approvals by Oct 30.
It also reported that the six telcos, including Maxis and U Mobile, had resolved the issues that they were facing earlier and have decided to subscribe to DNB’s 5G network. Maxis and U Mobile had earlier opted out of taking a stake in DNB.
On Oct 7, Bernama reported DNB’s announcement that it had executed share subscription agreements (SSAs) with four telcos – Celcom, Digi, YTL, and TM – which will collectively take up a 65% stake in the special purpose vehicle (SPV).
Celcom and Digi will each take up a 12.5% stake, while YTL and TM will have 20% each. The finance ministry will hold the remaining 35% stake.
DNB said in a statement that the 12.5% shareholding each for Celcom and Digi is in recognition of their imminent merger.