Fahmi wants DNB to explain 5G figures claim

Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil demanded an explanation from Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) over its claim of reaching almost 50 percent of the 5G network in populated areas.

Taking to social media, Fahmi censured the state-owned network mandated to roll out 5G for releasing unverified figures on 5G network coverage.

"I think DNB officials must explain how they arrived at these figures," tweeted Fahmi yesterday.

"The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has not yet verified this information.

"Next time, I don’t think the DNB should publish prior to verification," he added.

Fahmi was responding to political analyst James Chin, who questioned the 5G network figure released by the DNB on Twitter.

Chin also uploaded a screenshot of a report which quoted DNB claiming the 5G network rollout has reached almost 50 percent in the populated area as of end-2022, surpassing the initial target of 40 percent.

"Media must stop printing fake news. I cannot even get 4G in a town in Sarawak. I bought a 4G data card and the speed is like 3G or less.

"How many of you in Sabah and Sarawak get 5G or real 4G?" tweeted Chin, who is also a professor of Asian Studies at the University of Tasmania.

Putrajaya is currently reviewing the RM11 billion 5G network contract awarded by DNB to Swedish telecommunications giant Ericsson under the previous administration.

Last month, Fahmi also revealed that as of Oct 31, DNB is still continuing with the development of 5G infrastructure works, with 2,715 completed 5G locations, which accounts for 36 percent of population coverage.

DNB planned to implement 5G coverage in 80 percent of residential areas by 2024.

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