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.

The establishment of Digital Nasional Berhad as a Single Wholesale Network is to assist in delivering the following key outcomes in line with the MyDigital aspirations, which are to:

• Accelerate deployment of 5G infrastructure and network in Malaysia
• Realise the potential of 5G in Malaysia to spur economic activity
• Narrow the urban-rural digital divide and improve the current state of infrastructure
• Avoid duplication of infrastructure and optimise the use of scarce resources
• Promote service-based competition within the telecommunications industry