COMMENT | With Malaysia’s 5G outdoor coverage having reached the 80 percent target for coverage of populated areas at the end of 2023 and after the signing of the share subscription agreements by the five mobile network operators (MNOs) on Dec 1, 2023, what’s next for the next stage of 5G deployment in Malaysia?

The way forward is very much dependent on what will happen to Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), the entity that has successfully deployed 5G under the single wholesale network (SWN), in terms of its operating and ownership structure and if there will be a deployment of a second wholesale network, which has been speculated about since the change in government after the 2022 general election.