This article appeared in Free Malaysia Today on 7 October 2022.

PETALING JAYA: Four of the country’s six mobile network operators (MNOs) have executed share subscription agreements to take up equity stakes in 5G service provider Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB).

Of the four, Celcom Axiata and Digi Telecommunications are taking up 12.5% each while YTL Communications and TM have signed up for 20% each.

The remaining two service providers, Maxis Communications and U-Mobile, have chosen to stay out.

In a statement issued today, DNB said the government would retain the remaining 35% stake plus a golden share that accorded it various rights and privileges in areas such as ownership, sale or transfer of its shares.

Celcom Axiata and Digi are taking a 12.5% stake each in recognition of their imminent merger, the statement said.

Under the terms of the share subscription agreement, no single MNO was allowed to have more than 20% interest in DNB. In the event of a merger between MNOs, the merged entity is entitled to hold a stake of up to 25%.

The DNB statement said that with the share sale concluded, it is anticipated that the MNOs would make 5G services available to their end users from this month.

The company said it would continue to deploy the 5G network and infrastructure on a schedule that would ensure it achieved 80% coverage of populated areas by 2024.

DNB chairman Asri Hamidon said the company has already achieved 33% of the target and would reach the 40% mark by the end of the year.