What makes the Single Wholesale Network (SWN) model suitable for Malaysia’s 5G rollout?

The deployment of 5G network via a single entity was deliberated and considered earlier by the industry and MCMC as reflected in MCMC’s Public Inquiry report on “Allocation of spectrum bands for mobile broadband service in Malaysia”, published on 31st December 2019, which was intended to lower the capital expenditure (“CAPEX’) by minimising costs and preventing the duplication of infrastructure, especially when improvements and expansion of the 4G networks are still on-going under the Jalinan Digital Negara (JENDELA) initiative.

How will 5G be rolled out in Malaysia?

The 5G rollout will be implemented as a Single Wholesale Network (SWN).

Simply put, a 5G SWN refers to the provision of nationwide 5G coverage, delivered via one common network, to which all MCMC licensees in Malaysia can seek equal access on a wholesale basis. This common network will be built, owned, and operated by DNB. DNB will work closely with the appointed Network Equipment Provider (NEP) Ericsson, for the design, build, and maintenance of the 5G network.