What are the factors deterring Malaysians from transitioning to the new network, despite its potential advantages? — Image by rawpixel.com on Freepik
Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil reported a digital gap, with only seven million out of the 45 million mobile users in the country having 5G-ready devices.
However, according to Fahmi, only about 2.49 million users have made the jump to 5G, highlighting a significant discrepancy between the number of Malaysians capable of utilising the network and the ones actually using it.
This comes despite the country’s achievement of 70.2% 5G coverage of populated areas (COPA).
For individuals like Nick Tan, a trade management specialist, the need to transition just seems unnecessary at this point in time.
“My existing postpaid plan is a supplementary line without access to 5G and costs about RM50 a month.
“I don’t think paying the extra monthly fee for a 5G pass is worth it, especially since my friends who did upgrade have experienced issues like faster battery drain and their devices heating up when using 5G,” he says about the next-generation network.
Despite being based mostly in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, which have some of the highest COPA, Tan claims that he observed that his girlfriend, who does use 5G, rarely ever connects to the network.
“Coverage seems to be lacking right now; my girlfriend’s mobile data plan has 5G, but most of the time I see it stuck on 4G.
“So if, in some parts of the city, you don’t get 5G, it makes me wonder, why even bother?” he says.
Tan further adds that he mostly stays indoors and uses WiFi, and even when outdoors, he does not use his device for intense activities that would benefit from 5G in the first place, negating a need for it.
Dependent on devices
Other users share similar opinions, such as artist and animator Ganesh Subramanium, who is not compelled to make the switch even with the extra speed 5G offers.
“I’m not motivated to upgrade since I don’t have any use for it. If 5G only allows for faster speed, then no, there’s no need for me.
“I feel like it would be pointless. I’d be paying more but not using more. It’s not like I’ll be doing anything heavy that needs that speed – that’s what my computer (with broadband) is for,” he says.
Ganesh also uses an older model iPhone without 5G support at the moment and does not want to buy a new one, nor does he want to leave the Apple ecosystem by getting a phone via a 5G Rahmah plan from a telco.
The same can be said for graphic designer Foo Ce Xiang, who uses an older device from 2021 that does not have 5G support.
“I wouldn’t consider upgrading my phone just to get 5G, as my current device is good enough for me right now.
“In the first place, would you consider upgrading your phone just for 5G?” he asks, noting that the data migration hassle between devices would render the process more burdensome than worthwhile.
Counting the cost
A user, who preferred to remain anonymous, says he opted for a pricier mobile data plan to get an iPhone 15 Pro at launch. However, he expressed displeasure with the higher cost of the 5G plan, highlighting the unavailability of non-5G plans as a concern.
“I thought it would be free to get 5G, like when we transitioned from 3G to 4G; back then we didn’t need to pay anything extra.
“I upgraded to a more expensive data plan to get my iPhone 15 Pro – this plan included 5G while my old one did not. There wasn’t an option to just have a cheaper plan without it,” he said, lamenting that he doesn’t even get 5G at home.
Fahmi has said that his ministry has engaged in discussions with telco operators to address the issue over the 5G fee, with a proposal to emulate the transition to 4G back in 2013, which did not incur a fee.
“The matter is currently being discussed with the relevant mobile network operators (MNOs) and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
“The request is for MNOs not to impose additional charges to take up 5G, just as we migrated to 4G – which we started using without having to opt in,” he said in a report.
The ministry also recommends that, rather than having to opt in to the network, the users be given a choice to opt out.
“Even if we have an immediate opt-in, not everyone can use 5G right away. That is why programmes such as the 5G Rahmah would be beneficial for the B40 group to purchase devices that can use the network,” he added.
The anonymous user also questioned the need for 5G, having felt no difference in the experience between 4G and 5G, asking, “So at the end of the day, who is this for?”
Though 5G is expected to offer consumers faster and more stable connections, its primary advantages are geared towards businesses that can leverage the increased bandwidth, enhanced capacity, and reduced latency it provides.
For instance, earlier this month, PETRONAS launched a private 5G network to optimise its operations at the Regasification Terminal in Sungai Udang, Melaka, while CelcomDigi and DHL launched a 5G-enabled autonomous warehouse last week.
