Fahmi: Second 5G network contract not awarded to anyone yet

The government has not awarded the second 5G network contract to any companies through direct negotiations said Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

The ministry denied the contract was awarded to China’s telecommunications giant Huawei with Fahmi saying any interested parties can bid when the tender is opened.

“It is a commercial aspect and would be the same procedure that Digital Nasional Bhd had gone through. It depends on when we will establish the second 5G entity.

“The board of directors will make the commercial decision,” he said.

“Whoever can provide the cheapest price, then the lowest price wins. Right now there is nothing yet,” he announced after officiating the World Post Day celebration at Pos Malaysia yesterday.

Earlier, former deputy international trade and industry minister Ong Kiang Ming questioned the government’s decision to award the second 5G network contract Huawei via direct negotiation.

Fahmi clarified the speech by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during the 2023 Malaysia Information and Communications Technology Summit organised by Huawei Technologies (M) Sdn Bhd last month was taken in the wrong context because the speech was based solely on the context of the summit.

In another development, Fahmi said discussions about regulating courier base prices to sustain the industry were in the final stages.

He said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission would make an announcement once the decision is finalised.

“In the past, we did not have a set base price but it was more of a guideline. Whether the same will be continued, or a more stringent procedure introduced, will depend on the process and discussions going on,” he said.

- Bernama

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