PETALING JAYA: After months of delay, Malaysia’s two major digital initiatives – the dual 5G network and MyDigital ID – are seeing signs of progress in their rollout.
Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo (pic) said a “more effective” rollout of 5G across all sectors would start from April.
“As far as 5G is concerned, our target of 50 use cases in six sectors last year has been met. Work is in progress for another 30 use cases for 2025,” he said.
Use cases show how 5G will be used in everyday life. For example, in healthcare, doctors could perform remote surgery using 5G’s fast and reliable connection.
Gobind said that the six sectors which had achieved the 50 use cases are energy, healthcare, agriculture, transportation, manufacturing and education.
“Issues concerning spectrum have also been dealt with.
“This should enable quicker and more effective rollout of 5G across all sectors beginning from April,” he said when contacted.
He said the delayed rollout of the 5G network was discussed on Feb 12 at the meeting of the National Digital Economy and Fourth Industrial Revolution Council.
Two months ago, Bernama quoted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as saying that he was disappointed with the delays in executing the two national digital initiatives.
He said the rollout of MyDigital ID is a year behind schedule, while the second 5G network remains stalled.
MyDigital ID refers to the government’s initiative to have a secure online identity verification.
It is meant to protect Malaysians from online fraud and identity theft, among others.
Gobind, when contacted yesterday, said: “Efforts are ongoing to further integrate the use of MyDigital ID. We expect to further propel it when we launch the Government Digital Platform for government services in the second quarter of this year.”
He explained that MyDigital ID had been integrated into applications such as MySejahtera, MyJPJ and MyBayar.
“Integration with other applications and platforms such as the Government Digital Platform is ongoing, which will drive further the uptake of MyDigital ID.”
He said there had been an increase in registrations so far.
According to media reports, there have been 1.319 million registrations for the MyDigital ID as of Dec 5 last year.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), which handles the regulatory oversight of the second 5G rollout, said that its implementation is “progressing as planned”.
“The initial rollout, led by Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), has successfully reached 82.4% coverage of populated areas and a 56.18% 5G mobile penetration rate.”
With the selection of the second network provider, U Mobile Sdn Bhd, MCMC said the implementation process is progressing as planned to ensure a smooth transition.
“Ongoing engagement sessions are fostering collaboration between both operators to support the rollout.”
“MCMC continues to facilitate this process by managing stakeholders and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and requirements,” said MCMC chairman Tan Sri Salim Fateh Din in a statement.
In November 2024, U Mobile was chosen to implement Malaysia’s second 5G network, marking a shift for the nation from a single wholesale network to a dual-network model.
DNB previously operated the first 5G network in the country.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil told the Dewan Rakyat last week that the approval for U Mobile’s detailed business plan is being evaluated by MCMC.
“U Mobile must also first resolve several obligations under the shareholder agreement signed between them and telecommunication providers together with DNB,” he said.
