TM Confirms Conduction 5G Trials With DNB
In a media statement today, Telekom Malaysia confirmed media reports that it is conducting 5G trials with Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB), adding that the trials will help it optimise its services.
“TM will conduct 5G trials with DNB to optimise the services. During this pilot trial, unifi mobile postpaid customers with certified 5G devices will experience 5G services in selected areas within Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Cyberjaya,” it says the media release.
The company says the release is in response to media reports on the company signing up for 5G trial with DNB.
It says technology and digital connectivity have become a necessity in today’s ecosystem. “With the rollout of 5G, it will further advance value creation for consumers, micro-SMEs and corporate businesses.
“We will continue to support the Government’s aspiration to deliver 5G for the nation and accelerate society, businesses and industry’s leap towards a Digital Malaysia,” it says.
Singapore’s Straits Times (ST) last week reported that TM has signed up for pilot trials for access to Malaysia’s fifth-generation (5G) network wireless service after its competitors pushed back against the rollout by state-controlled DNB.
ST cited market sources, including personnel from DNB saying they confirmed TM had agreed last week to join the trials and that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob also intervened for Celcom to be next in line to join the trials.
Celcom is under the government-linked multinational telecommunication corporation Axiata Group Bhd.
“The others are still considering. But the trials will commence by the end of December and people will be able to enjoy 5G for free so long as their telco provides it,” ST quoted a DNB official who spoke under the condition of anonymity.
The Singapore newspaper also speculated that TM’s move will pressure four larger mobile competitors — with 40 million accounts between them, who prefer to have their own 5G network.
The report also suggests that it is not known if TM plans to roll out a cheaper and faster fixed wireless 5G against the current practice of pulling cables into homes and offices.
TM did not respond to queries from ST and did not mention anything on this aspect of the 5G rollout in its media statement today.
Last month, Reuters had published a report saying none of Malaysia’s major mobile carriers have agreed to use the government’s 5G network yet. It cited a lack of transparency and pricing issues as the reasons for the delays in networks subscribing to the 5G network access.
DNB denied the allegations from Reuters saying they were inaccurate, rejected allegations that 5G data costs to the telcos would be high.