PUTRAJAYA, November 8 – Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil announced that the 5G network coverage in Malaysia now encompasses 73% of populated areas. Based on feedback from Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB), the government is making substantial progress towards its target of achieving 80% 5G network coverage by the end of the year. With only 7% remaining to reach the goal, there are challenges related to land issues that need coordination with local authorities.
To address these challenges and expedite the 5G rollout, Fahmi informed the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) chairman, Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din, to convene a meeting with relevant parties. The aim is to emphasize that 5G is a national initiative and a collaborative effort to drive progress and development in the country. Fahmi also noted that as of September 2023, the adoption rate of 5G in Malaysia had risen to 9.1%, up from 7.4% previously. Fahmi stressed the importance of ensuring that the government’s efforts to create a data highway with 5G are maximized, not only by large companies but also by mid-sized enterprises.
He cited a practical example of a DHL warehouse center that uses 5G for robotics and drone services, which significantly increased efficiency. By leveraging 5G technology, the company could count almost 8,000 pellets per day, compared to just 1,000 pellets per day when counted manually. This underscores the transformative potential of 5G technology for various industries. Malaysia’s ongoing progress in 5G infrastructure and network development is in line with the government’s broader digital economy initiatives to drive economic growth and technological advancement.
