This article appeared in Malaysia Kini on 1 July 2022.

Consumers are expected to be able to access 5G network in stages, latest by September (2022), said Communications and Multimedia Minister (MenKOMM) Tan Sri Annuar Musa.

He said as of 1 pm yesterday, the sixth company had signed the agreement to take up equity in Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB).

Annuar said the six companies concerned had agreed to hold equity in DNB and the agreement would be followed by final negotiations on the price and so on.

“So the first phase has been resolved and at least six companies would be given the opportunity to carry out their due diligence as well as the evaluation method for the purpose of actual rollout  implementation and DNB learned it may take between one to two months.

“Hopefully, in another week, by July 8, it would be formalised by the signing of certain documents, then they would be given a period to conduct due diligence so that at the latest by September, consumers can receive the rollout of 5G service in stages according to the area and the infrastructure set up earlier by DNB,” he said here today.

He was asked to comment at Meeting with MenKOMM and Briefing on 5G Implementation by the Ministry of Finance, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and DNB earlier today.

Annuar said he was happy because the rollout was delayed for several months due to appeal on determination of the Single Wholesale Network (SWN) model to be changed and now there is a solution that is accepted by all parties.

Yesterday, Annuar said that six telecommunications companies are expected to hold equity interests in DNB for the implementation of the country's 5G infrastructure through the Single Wholesale Network (SWN) model.