This article appeared in The Star on 16 March 2022.

PETALING JAYA: Up to a 70% stake in Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB), the government-owned entity to deploy the 5G network, will be offered to mobile network operators (MNOs) such as Maxis, Digi, Celcom and U Mobile.

The Finance Ministry will own a "golden share" and the remaining 30% equity interest in DNB.

After multiple delays, the decision was jointly announced on Wednesday by Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz and Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa, alongside the decision to maintain Malaysia's single wholesale network (SWN) model for the implementation of 5G.

Annuar said that the details of DNB equity interest sale will be finalised by end-June after discussions with the MNOs.

The price to be paid by the MNOs for the stake in DNB will be determined by an independent valuer, Tengku Zafrul said.

When asked whether the shareholding change in DNB will affect the previously signed tenders including with Ericsson, Tengku Zafrul said the sanctity of the agreements with be upheld.

Even with the MNOs as the shareholders, Tengku Zafrul added that DNB will strive to offer 5G access at less than 20 sen per GB, as previously promised.