KUALA LUMPUR: The termination of the share subscription agreement (SSA) between Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) and Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) will not jeopardise 5G access for the latter’s customers, said Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo.
Gobind said the 5G access agreement DNB and TM signed on Oct 30, 2022, is still in effect, and TM’s customers can continue to enjoy 5G services.
"Regarding TM’s equity ownership in DNB, TM had applied for an extension on the equity acquisition from June 21, 2024, to Aug 21, 2024, to obtain shareholder agreement.
"However, TM could not fulfil the condition of obtaining shareholders’ agreement before Aug 21, 2024, and applied for another extension until Dec 31, 2024.
"DNB’s board did not approve the (second) application from TM of directors,” he told Dewan Rakyat during today’s question and answer session.
Gobind was responding to Ahmad Fadhli Shaari’s (PN-Pasir Mas) question regarding the Digital Ministry’s solution concerning 5G following the termination of the SSA between DNB and TM.
The minister stressed that the involvement of telecommunications companies through equity ownership in DNB is among the main steps for Malaysia to transition from a single wholesale model to the 5G dual-network model.
"Under the SSA’s terms, four telecommunications companies will collectively own 65.1 per cent equity in DNB, each holding a 16.3 per cent share.
"The government, through the Minister of Finance Incorporated, will retain 34.9 per cent equity and a special share in DNB for a designated period,” he added. - Bernama