KUALA LUMPUR — 5G access for Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) customers will not be affected even with the termination of the share subscription agreement (SSA) between the telco and Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB), said Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo.
He told the Dewan Rakyat today that the 5G access agreement DNB and TM signed on Oct 30, 2022, is still in effect, and TM’s customers can continue to enjoy 5G services.
“Regarding TM’s equity ownership in DNB, TM had applied for an extension on the equity acquisition from June 21, 2024, to Aug 21, 2024, to obtain shareholder agreement.
“However, TM could not fulfil the condition of obtaining shareholders’ agreement before Aug 21, 2024, and applied for another extension until Dec 31, 2024.
“DNB’s board did not approve the (second) application from TM of directors,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat today, as reported by Bernama.
Gobind was replying Ahmad Fadhli Shaari’s (PN-Pasir Mas) question regarding the Digital Ministry’s solution concerning 5G following the termination of the SSA between DNB and TM.
The minister stressed that the involvement of telecommunications companies through equity ownership in DNB is among the main steps for Malaysia to transition from a single wholesale model to the 5G dual-network model.
“Under the SSA’s terms, four telecommunications companies will collectively own 65.1% equity in DNB, each holding a 16.3% share.
“The government, through the Minister of Finance Incorporated, will retain 34.9% equity and a special share in DNB for a designated period,” he added.
DNB announced the termination of the SSA with TM in August as the conditions precedent long stop date for TM for the SSA had expired, after extensions.
DNB said the termination of the SSA with TM does not impact the validity of other completed SSAs with four other telcos, namely, CelcomDigi, Maxis, U Mobile and YTL Communications. – November 26, 2024