Fahmi: DNB’s 5G figures require verification by MCMC

Fahmi’s tweet has received more than 50,000 views on Twitter. — Bernama

PETALING JAYA: Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil tweeted that Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) must provide an explanation on reports about its 5G coverage in the country.

“I think @DNB_Official must explain how they arrived at these figures,” he said in response to a tweet by political analyst James Chin, who asked about 5G coverage in Sabah and Sarawak.

Chin's tweet included a screenshot of a report with the headline “Malaysia’s 5G network coverage achieves nearly 50%”.

In his tweet, Fahmi said that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has yet to verify the information published in DNB’s report.

“Next time, I don’t think DNB should publish prior to verification,” Fahmi added.

His tweet has received more than 50,000 views on Twitter.

In response to a user asking for the correct figures, Fahmi said: “DNB is not (yet) an agency or department under my purview. I can’t speak for them.”

DNB is wholly owned by the Finance Ministry.

On Tuesday, Jan 3, DNB – the country’s sole wholesale 5G network service operator – said in a statement that the coverage for 5G has almost reached 50% in populated areas, with some 3,900 sites at the end of last year. It also stated that it had surpassed its 40% target.

It claimed that its network currently has a reach of about 15 million people, with about 90% coverage in populated areas throughout Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Selangor, and 50% in Johor, Melaka, and Negri Sembilan.