Malaysia readies 5G network as telcos mull stakes

The government intends to deploy the network regardless of the operators’ decision, DNB chief executive officer Ralph Marshall said in an interview.

PETALING JAYA: Trailing regional rivals in the race to offer 5G mobile services, Malaysia is finally pressing ahead with a plan to roll out the high-speed network across the country even as local carriers wrangle over equity participation in the project.

State-owned Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB), which is building the infrastructure at a cost of RM16bil spread over 10 years, has offered all nine telecommunication companies in the country equal stakes totalling as much as 70% by June 30.