U MOBILE Sdn Bhd, which has been appointed as the country’s second 5G network provider, is expected to be given its Award Notice this month, says the Communications Ministry.
Minister Fahmi Fadzil said this would allow U Mobile to implement the development of the network.
However, approval of their detailed business plan is currently being evaluated by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
“U Mobile must also first resolve several obligations under the Shareholder Agreement signed between them and telecommunication providers together with Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB),” he said in a written reply.
According to him, this process will also take at least five months to be resolved.
“However, U Mobile can begin early work at sites based on the detailed business plan subject to approval by MCMC,” he said.
Fahmi was responding to a question by Chong Zhemin (PH-Kampar) who asked about the time frame given for U Mobile to roll out their 5G network and when users can expect to benefit.
In November 2024, U Mobile was chosen to implement Malaysia’s second 5G network, marking a shift for the nation from a single wholesale network to a dual-network model.
DNB previously operated the first 5G network in the country.
Previously, Fahmi also told the Dewan Rakyat that U Mobile was appointed through a tender process overseen by MCMC.