Malaysia readies RM16bil 5G network as telcos mull stakes

Passengers playing with their smartphones in an LRT train headed towards Kuala Lumpur. Digital Nasional aims to have a 5G network with 40% reach in densely populated areas by the end of this year, compared to about 15% as of March, according to Marshall. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star

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, which is building the infrastructure at a cost of RM16bil (US$3.7bil) spread over 10 years, has offered all nine telecommunication companies in the South-East Asian country equal stakes totalling as much as 70% by June 30. But the top four carriers have been pushing for a combined 51% majority stake to themselves instead.