This article appeared in The Edge Markets on 6 October 2022.

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 6): Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa on Thursday (Oct 6) clarified the confusion regarding the percentage of 5G access in major towns.

He said the 5G access percentage that was targeted — to reach 40% by year end — was in reference to the provision of infrastructure by Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB).

“Actually, 5G access has not reached that level. The percentage given is what is required by DNB to provide its infrastructure in several locations.

"Right now, the infrastructure is ready at over 2,000 locations, but the implementation of 5G for the public is to be carried out by the licensed telecommunications companies (telcos)," he said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat.

He said this in response to a supplementary question from Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh (Pakatan Harapan-Ledang), who wanted an explanation on the percentage of 5G access in major towns, as many have yet to enjoy the facility, especially in Petaling Jaya.

Annuar said the delay in 5G access services for consumers was because only four of the six telcos that were offered had agreed to take up a stake in DNB.

"Because of the change in plan, the four telcos that accepted the offer had to get back to their respective boards (directors) for approval for the additional shares that were not taken up by the other two telcos.

"The process took quite some time, and the supply of 5G services could only be obtained after all of the four companies sign the access agreement,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said the overall percentage of 4G coverage in Sabah increased to 87.55% in the second quarter of this year, compared with 73.41% previously, before the National Digital Network Plan (Jendela) was implemented.

He said that under Phase 1 of the Jendela programme in Sabah, of the 614 new tower sites that were approved, 142 were completed, whereas for satellite broadband, 138 projects were ready as of the second quarter of this year.

Annuar said he had met up with Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and the state government to ensure that the new tower construction project awarded to a state government-owned company would be able to complete the remaining towers by the target date at year end.

In addition, he said the ministry had identified another 290 locations under Phase 2 of Jendela, which are in need of satellite broadband services.

Annuar was replying to a question from Datuk Seri Azizah Mohd Dun (Bersatu-Beaufort) regarding the latest status of the installation of satellite broadband in Sabah, as internet access is still poor and has been a problem in the state, especially in rural areas.