5G rollout with single wholesale network will keep rate lower, says Annuar

KUALA LUMPUR: The rollout of the fifth-generation mobile network (5G) via single wholesale network (SWN) through Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) will enable the people to enjoy cheaper 5G service.

Communications and Multimedia Minister (MenKOMM) Tan Sri Annuar Musa (pic) said this is because only one company would be involved in providing infrastructure while telecommunications companies would focus on providing the service.

"The 5G service needs many towers...imagine if each company builds its own towers in Kuala Lumpur, the city will be full of towers when we only need a single highway which is more efficient with no overlapping and better managed while the concept of SWN, DNB is not to create a monopoly.

"The government also agreed to make a 70 per cent modification (DNB equity holding by telecommunication companies). However there is only one platform which is DNB managing infrastructure to keep the cost low and we hope the people would receive 5G service at a lower rate,” he said.

He said when appearing as a guest on the programme ‘Inklusif ‘Menteri Annuar Musa : Kualiti Telco : Kerajaan Peka Rintihan Rakyat’ which was aired over TV1 on Wednesday (April 20) night.

Annuar said the SWN model would see competition among telecommunications companies to give the best and most efficient service to the people.

In this regard, Annuar said the process to upgrade the digitalisation service of the country is not a one- way thing as it also needs feedback from the people.

"The process should be two-way to receive feedback from consumers, feedback must be fast so that upgrading can be carried out quickly that is why we launched the National Digital Network (Jendela) Map.

"Through Jendela Map, people with connectivity problems in their areas can lodge complaints. On this, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission ( MCMC) can monitor the situation while we also need telecommunication companies providing services to go to the ground to improve the quality of their services. - Bernama