The 5G network rollout in populated areas has reached 33.2% as of Sept 30, according to the Jendela Q3 2022 report unveiled by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

The report showed that a total of 1,915 (54.4%) sites out of 3,518 5G sites planned for 2022 have been completed. From the completed sites, 1,070 have been onboarded with 5G coverage in areas including Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Selangor, Penang, Johor and Perak.

It added that four sites at selected schools in Perlis, Pahang and Kelantan, which were originally planned for 2023, have been completed.

However, the report also showed that the 5G rollout for Q3 2022 has just missed its target; with 944 sites (73.2%) out of 1,290 completed. The report acknowledged that the delay was due to lengthy process of council permit approvals, pending new guidelines from local councils, and the high cost of fibre leasing at Sacofa’s (the telecommunications infrastructure provider in Sarawak) existing sites.

It stated that 933 sites from 2023 plan may be brought forward this year to help Digital Nasional Berhad – which has been tasked by the government to deploy 5G infrastructure and network – meet its target.

By the end of 2022, Jendela Phase 1 aims to meet 37.9% for 5G network rollout in populated areas.

In terms of 4G coverage in populated areas, Jendela Phase 1 in Q3 has reached 95.82% coverage, moving towards its 96.9% target. It aims to achieve 7.5 million premises passed with fibre connectivity and has hit 7.44 million in Q3.

MCMC chief operating officer Datuk Mohd Ali Hanafiah Mohd Yunus pointed out that overall network complaints for Q3 2022 has seen a reduction of 68% compared to the same period last year. The Jendela report stated that the completion of 1,661 new 4G towers under Phase 1 is expected to reduce complaints at rural areas at a result of better 4G coverage.

While Mohd Ali Hanafiah is confident that all Jendela Phase 1 targets and KPIs can be achieved this year, he acknowledged that the upcoming monsoon season may pose some challenges to development plans.

“The flood season will be coming. Through our Jendela implementation meetings, we have made plans to expedite the rollout of infrastructure and services to be completed by middle of December,” he said.

Jendela or Jalinan Digital Negara is a five-year national digital infrastructure plan to provide better fixed and mobile broadband coverage in Malaysia. Phase 2 which is expected to kick off next year will see the full deployment of 5G with a target of 80% coverage in populated areas by the end of 2024.