Malaysia's plan for sole 5G network positive for telecoms industry: analysts

AFTER months of deliberation, Malaysia will stay the course and continue with its plans to lease out a single 5G network to telcos in the country. The move, while not quite what the telcos had hoped for, at least brings some certainty for the industry, said analysts.

In an announcement on Wednesday (Mar 16), the finance and communication ministries said the telcos will be allowed to acquire up to a 70 per cent stake in the state 5G agency Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB). The government will retain the remaining 30 per cent stake.

This comes after telcos had last year recommended a second 5G provider, as they said the government's proposal of a single 5G network had transparency and pricing issues.