On July 21, 2023, significant Malaysian telecom operators have reached an agreement with the government to acquire stakes in Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), the state-run wholesale provider responsible for building Malaysia's primary 5G network. The operators involved in the deal include Maxis, CelcomDigi, Telekom Malaysia, U-Mobile, and YTL Communications.
According to the Ministry of Communications and Digital, the exact financial details and ownership distribution were not disclosed in the statement, but it was confirmed that the operators would take necessary steps to complete the process. This development comes after earlier discussions with authorities regarding equity and access to the 5G network.
It's worth noting that DNB is currently constructing Malaysia's sole 5G network, but there are plans to launch a second network starting from 2024. In the past, there was an agreement for several operators to purchase stakes in DNB; however, that deal fell through when the country's 5G policy underwent a review as reported by Reuters in 2022.
Recently, Maxis presented a proposal to its stakeholders outlining its intention to sign a network access agreement with DNB. Pending approval, this move will make Maxis the last major operator in the country to finalize terms for utilizing the 5G network.
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