KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 26): Putrajaya is trying to expedite discussions with local mobile network operators (MNOs) to automatically onboard subscribers onto Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB)’s 5G network, said Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
This, he said, is aimed at ensuring that Malaysia’s transition to the 5G network remains accessible to all Malaysians.
“We are in some final discussions with the MNOs that are charging [for the migration to 5G services], and to see what we can do to ensure more Malaysians will be able to benefit from the 5G [network] that has been rolled out,” Fahmi told reporters after opening DNB’s 5G Experience Centre at The Exchange 106 on Thursday.
“That's why we want to try and expedite some of the discussions. So, if you wait a little bit, inshallah (God willing), we will have some good news,” he added.
The current's biggest MNOs like CelcomDigi Bhd and Maxis Bhd are charging subscribers up to RM20 per month for them to gain access to the 5G network. This is despite the lower wholesale price of 13 sen per gigabyte (GB) they are paying DNB, effectively defeating Putrajaya’s aim of rolling out the new-generation internet with better quality connection at a cheaper price.
In his speech at the launching ceremony, Fahmi called on the MNOs to have a dialogue with him on ways to waive the additional charges for the 5G upgrade.
“Although the transition to 5G may have challenges and extra costs temporarily, it is the wish of the prime minister, the minister of investment, trade and industry, and myself, and my wife, that we have a discussion to consider certain options.
“Because I think it is imperative for the more than seven million devices ready to use 5G, to be able to use that extensively, I think it is in DNB’s interest, it is in the MNOs’ interest, it is in the nation’s interest,” he said.
Fahmi previously remarked that his wife was hesitant to upgrade to 5G due to the additional charges, which is in contrast to the seamless switch from 3G to 4G previously.
The minister updated that the current 5G roll-out by DNB had reached 70.2% coverage of populated areas, while 5G adoption by MNOs’ subscribers stands at 7.4%, with approximately 2.5 million mobile users subscribing to the newest-generation network in the country.
Despite opposing DNB’s single wholesale network model in the past, Fahmi conceded that DNB had “facilitated and accelerated” the 5G roll-out process.
Nonetheless, Fahmi also defended the local MNOs, saying they are already vying to provide the most affordable 5G packages to Malaysians.
“I’m very happy to say that the five major MNOs are competing very well between them to give the best 5G packages, so you (the customers) can choose and pick whichever is your heart's desire or to your pockets' content,” he said.
Notably, Malaysians can now subscribe to the Rahmah 5G package, which comes with a basic data plan and a smartphone costing not more than RM240.
The affordable 5G package, which is open until December this year, also offers a post-paid plan for as low as RM60 a month, with a minimum of 60GB of data.