PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia has achieved its target of 80% 5G coverage in populated areas, says communications minister Fahmi Fadzil.

At a press conference, Fahmi said the country would shift to a dual 5G network model soon.

“This Friday, the special task force on 5G will meet with Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB), the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), and telcos to discuss the way forward.”

It was previously reported that Malaysia would shift to a dual 5G network once DNB achieved 80% coverage in populated areas.

Fahmi said the Cabinet would evaluate the outcome of the meeting and that the switch to a dual wholesale network was likely to be announced within a month.

He also said the 80% coverage was achieved after the telcos signed the agreement to acquire equity in DNB.

Fahmi said the coverage was 76% as of Nov 30 last year.

“In the months before (the agreement was signed), there was only a 2% to 3% on average increase, while in the final month (of 2023) it reached 4%,” he said.

Last month, Malaysia’s five major phone network operators signed share subscription agreements to acquire a collective 70% equity stake in DNB.

The five are CelcomDigi, Maxis, U Mobile, Telekom Malaysia and YTL Power International, each of which bought a 14% stake in DNB.