Maxis said it aims to play an active role in the upcoming phase of the 5G rollout in Malaysia

Malaysian carrier Maxis confirmed it is ready to complete the share subscription agreement (SSA) with state-run 5G network Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) and to sign the shareholders agreement with DNB.

In a release, the Asian telco said it is on track to an early completion of its SSA process and to participate in the rollout of the second 5G network, well ahead of the timeline announced by the Malaysian government.

Maxis also said it supports and is fully committed to a swift implementation of the government’s dual 5G network model, adding that the company looks forward to playing a major role in advancing Malaysia’s digital agenda as an active and key participant in the upcoming phase of the nation’s 5G rollout.

“We want to see an early conclusion to the SSA process as it will provide greater certainty to the nation’s dual 5G network rollout. Completing the SSA process is a pragmatic and necessary step to commence the transition to a dual 5G network. Maxis is fully prepared to start building the second 5G network immediately to accelerate the nation’s 5G plan and bring its economic benefits to Malaysians at a faster pace,” said Goh Seow Eng, CEO of Maxis.

DNB was set up by the Malaysian government in 2021 as a special purpose vehicle to develop the country’s 5G network infrastructure, which private telecommunications firms would use to offer 5G services to their customers.

In May 2023, Malaysian authorities had said that the country would shift to a dual 5G network once DNB achieved 80% coverage in populated areas, something that occurred in December 2023. That month, Malaysia’s five major mobile operators signed share subscription agreements to acquire a collective 70% equity stake in DNB.

Under the terms of the agreement, local carriers CelcomDigi, Maxis, U Mobile, Telekom Malaysia and YTL Power International agreed to each buy a 14% stake in DNB, with an investment of about $50 million each.

The government recently said Malaysian telcos must complete the share subscription agreements for DNB equity by June 21.

The government said the second 5G network will chiefly focus on additional aspects such as the implementation of 5G technology across different vertical sectors.

Recent reports stated that the Communications Ministry, Digital Ministry, Finance Ministry and Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry recently held discussions to define strategies and action plans for the implementation of the second 5G network in the Asian nation.