Malaysia allows 2nd 5G network, with rollout expected next year

ANKARA

Malaysia announced on Wednesday that it will adopt a 5G dual network system by next year, despite Western countries' concerns about national security risks if the country allows China's Huawei to play a role in telecoms infrastructure.

While announcing the plan, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the country will continue to roll out 5G with its state agency Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) and achieve 80% population coverage by the end of this year, local daily Malay Mail reported.

While the second phase of the dual network system is expected to begin early next year, he added.

Malaysia's announcement came despite warnings from the US and the European Union that allowing Chinese Huawei a role in the country's telecom infrastructure could risk national security, according to the Financial Times.

"This model takes into account the sustainability of Malaysia's telecommunications industry ecosystem while ending the monopoly that is frequently associated with DNB," Fadzil was quoted as saying by the daily.

The government owns 35% of DNB, with the remainder divided among four other companies, including Celcom Axiata and Digi Telecommunications.

He added that the state agency will meet its 80% target by the end of this year, having already covered 57.8% of the areas.

The government is ensuring interoperability so that if one network is affected for whatever reason, there is a fallback network, he explained.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid