KUALA LUMPUR: Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) says Malaysia’s 5G network has achieved almost 50% coverage of populated areas (Copa) with some 3,900 sites as at end-2022 – exceeding the target of 40%.
DNB is now focused on delivering the committed target of 80% Copa by end 2024, if not earlier, it said in a statement.
The network currently reaches some 15 million people and when fully deployed, it will reach more than 30 million people and businesses.
DNB has achieved about 90% Copa throughout Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, and Selangor as well as some 50% across Johor, Melaka and Negri Sembilan, it said.
“All other states are in various stages of deployment and, together with the aforementioned states, are expected to achieve full network deployment in 2024, if not earlier.”
Chief operating officer Nasution Mohamed said in the statement: “Having exceeded our 2022 network coverage target, we are working closely with both our mobile network operator (MNO) partners and device manufacturers to promote and encourage the rapid adoption of 5G nationwide in 2023.
“The MNOs have introduced numerous 5G data plans for their customers at very attractive retail prices, so as to encourage adoption of 5G services.”
DNB said Apple is the latest device manufacturer to issue firmware updates in Malaysia to make iPhones 12 and subsequent models compatible with the 5G network.
There are currently 15 device brands with more than 100 5G-compatible devices for all budgets available in the Malaysian market.
This, coupled with myriad retail 5G data plan offerings from the five Malaysian MNOs, will result in an accelerated 5G adoption among end users over the next few years, it said.
It said that since the launch of 5G services by the five MNOs, Malaysia’s 5G network has seen an eight-time increase in usage from 32TB to 253TB per day, with a peak of some 90,000 concurrent users as of Dec 31, 2022.
