Despite essentially playing catch up with neighbouring countries such as Thailand and Singapore in the implementation of the 5G mobile network, Malaysia reached a significant milestone by achieving 80.2% 5G network coverage in populated areas as of 31 December 2023.
This was above the 80% coverage target by the end of last year previously set in place by the Communications Ministry. Accordingly, Malaysia will soon shift to a dual 5G network model, replacing the current single-wholesale network with Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), potentially enabling foreign industry players such as HUAWEI to enter the fray and improve competition.
More than 10 million 5G network users in Malaysia
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Now, the 5G network has also achieved another milestone, whereby it recorded over 10 million users. This is something welcomed as despite the widespread coverage, Malaysia’s 5G network previously had a low usage rate.
As announced by Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil in a statement, our country’s 5G network recorded 10,068,858 users as of January 2024.
He added that this was a whopping 2,400% increase from when he was appointed Communications and Digital Minister in December 2022.
For reference, the Communications and Digital Ministry was split into two separate portfolios during the recent Cabinet reshuffle. Post-shuffle, Fahmi was appointed Communications Minister, while Gobind Singh Deo became Digital Minister.
In the announcement, Fahmi revealed that when he was first appointed Minister in December 2022, the 5G network coverage in our country stood at only 38.7%, with the number of users only at 404,323.
In 14 months, the Communications Minister asserted that not only did the coverage improve but the number of users also drastically increased.
Solving the issues relating to the 5G network faced by end-suers
Moreover, Fahmi said that the number of users increased thanks to 4 initiatives implemented by his Ministry which solved the main problems faced by end-users.
The first problem was that not all network service operators offered 5G connectivity, which he solved by negotiating with all telcos to offer 5G and on 15 August last year, they agreed.
For illustration purposes
The second problem was that there were extra charges imposed by telcos to access the 5G network, which has now been rectified.
The third problem was that 5G network data was expensive, which was circumvented by the introduction of the 5G RAHMAH package (60GB for only a maximum of RM60).
The final problem was that 5G smartphones are expensive, which was also addressed by the 5G RAHMAH package (5G smartphones from only RM240).
So, what do you guys think of Fahmi’s statement? However, what do you guys think of the 5G network in Malaysia?
Share your thoughts and experience of using the network in the comments!
Also read: Study: Malaysia’s Mobile Network is the 7th Most Unreliable in the World!
