KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 26): Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said on Tuesday that Telekom Malaysia Bhd’s (KL:TM) existing 5G access offerings to customers will not be affected despite the failure to secure a stake in Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB).
This is because the access agreement between DNB and TM, signed on Oct 30, 2022, remains in effect, regardless of the status of the share subscription of the national 5G network owner.
“The share subscription agreement (SSA) will not impact the 5G access services provided by TM. This is a separate matter, and services are continuing as usual. DNB is also expanding its offerings, particularly for private network enterprises,” Gobind told the Dewan Rakyat during the oral question-and-answer session on Tuesday.
Earlier in August, DNB announced that TM’s SSA to purchase a stake in DNB had been terminated, as the group failed to meet the deadline to finalise the agreement to acquire a stake in the wholesale 5G network.
Currently, four other mobile network operators — CelcomDigi Bhd (KL:CDB), Maxis Bhd (KL:MAXIS), U Mobile Sdn Bhd, and YTL Power International Bhd’s (KL:YTLPOWR) YTL Communications Sdn Bhd — each hold a 16.3% stake in DNB.
Meanwhile, the government, through the Minister of Finance Incorporated, retains approximately 34.9% equity and special shares in DNB.
On Tuesday, Gobind emphasised that including mobile network operators in DNB is a key step in transitioning Malaysia to a dual 5G network model.
“The termination of the SSA between DNB and TM will not affect the existing agreements with CelcomDigi, Maxis, U Mobile, and YTL, which were finalised on June 20, 2024,” he added.
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