BARCELONA – Despite the significant ground it has gained in terms of 5G coverage during the last year or so, the single wholesale network (SWN) is “definitely not” the way to go for Malaysia, said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
“What we have gained is unprecedented, I was told. But I’ve been speaking to a lot of experts here and hearing for myself that our SWN model is definitely not the way to go.
“But that has been my stand, even when I was in opposition. The government is sticking to our decision on a dual network.
“The government is leaving it to the telcos to decide on the dual network,” the minister told Scoop in between a series of meetings with potential investors at the Malaysia Pavilion on the first day of the Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2024 (MWC2024), here.
Major Malaysian telcos, Telekom Malaysia, Maxis, Celcom-Digi, and Unifi, have booths and representatives at the Malaysia Pavilion, located in Hall 6 of the MWC venue Fira Gran.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission is well represented, led by its chairman, Tan Sri Salim Fateh Din.
Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB), the entity created to drive Malaysia’s 5G development under the previous administration’s SWN formula, has its own small booth, while the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation, which now comes under Gobind Singh’s ministry, is also at the Malaysia Pavilion.
Fahmi’s remarks should put to rest growing speculation that the Madani government was having second thoughts about a dual-wholesale network (DWN) for 5G.
Last week, the minister launched Maxis’ 5.5G technology trial, fueling talk that the leading Malaysian telco may play a major part in the so-called “second DNB” under Fahmi’s preferred DWN.
The 5G-Advanced, or 5.5G, promises up to a 10-fold improvement in speed, connected devices, and latency compared with 5G.
The launch highlighted Maxis and technology company Huawei’s success in staging Malaysia’s and Southeast Asia’s first 5G-Advanced technology trial. The 5G-Advanced trial showcase included a live speed test to demonstrate the technology’s ability to achieve ultra-fast peak speeds of up to 8Gbps, according to Maxis.
Maxis has been a strong opponent of the SWN since the Muhyiddin administration introduced it.
Huawei, the Chinese giant that is also tipped to have a significant part in Malaysia’s DWN, has the distinction of having the largest pavilion at MWC 2024.
The Malaysian team is expected to sign several more memorandums of understanding with international investors and partners at the MWC today.
In his keynote address at the opening of the Malaysian Pavilion of MWC2024 yesterday, Fahmi highlighted Malaysia’s achievement in the top global ranking for 5G consistency score, standing at an impressive 97.29%, as reported by Ookla.
For Malaysia, Fahmi said being ranked first in the 5G consistency score is more than just bragging rights – it is about unlocking the full potential of this game-changing technology to drive economic growth, enhance social welfare, and foster a more inclusive society.
He said this not only underscores Malaysia’s dedication to technological advancement, but also reflects the collaborative efforts of the telecommunications industry, regulatory bodies, and government agencies in establishing a robust and reliable 5G infrastructure.
“It is a moment of triumph that reaffirms Malaysia’s position as a leading player in the global digital landscape.
“The significance of this achievement cannot be overstated. In today’s hyper-connected world, where seamless connectivity is the lifeblood of innovation and progress, a reliable 5G network is indispensable.
“It serves as the backbone for transformative technologies such as the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and virtual reality, paving the way for groundbreaking applications and services that will redefine the way we live, work, and interact,” he said. – February 27, 2024