Fahmi: Cabinet memorandum soon to decide on establishing second 5G network

Fahmi said the implementation of 5G is still regulated by the Communications Ministry. — Bernama

PUTRAJAYA: The special committee overseeing the implementation of 5G will prepare a Cabinet memorandum soon to discuss and decide whether it is time to allow a second network, as the country’s 5G coverage has reached 80.2% as of Dec 31.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said a second 5G network will also determine whether it enables more sustainable implementation and provides more opportunities for telecommunications companies to offer better services.

He said the special committee, co-chaired by Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa and Treasury secretary-general Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican, had met a few weeks ago with several steps expected to be outlined.

"We announced that 5G network coverage reached 80.2% on Dec 31, and so, not too long from now, we will announce our decision on whether to allow telecommunications companies establish a second network, apart from Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB),” he told the media after the ministry's monthly assembly here on Jan 30.

Fahmi said the implementation of 5G is still regulated by the Communications Ministry as the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is the regulatory body in the telecommunications sector, involving spectrum and aspects covered in the Communications and Multimedia Act. – Bernama