Maxis, the last Malaysian operator yet to sign an access agreement with state-owned 5G agency Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), said it would refrain from seeking shareholder approval to join the scheme until the government completes its review of the 5G strategy implemented by the previous administration.
In a statement to the Malaysian stock exchange, the operator noted it is “mandatory” to gain shareholder approval to enter an access agreement with DNB, due to the “nature” of the access agreement and the “substantial undertaking involved.”
The company said it expects the government to complete its review of the previous government's 5G rollout plan by the end of Q1 this year.
Malaysia turned heads with its groundbreaking plan to have a single neutral 5G company (DNB) undertake the deployment of 5G infrastructure nationwide and demand operators sign up for access to the network to offer services. It argues the move would accelerate deployment and fulfil the full potential of 5G, provide widespread coverage, and enable new technologies for the betterment of society.
Malaysia’s new prime minister Anwar Ibrahim who came into power late last year revealed his government would review the single wholesale 5G strategy, which was put in place by the previous administration. Ibrahim did not reveal any details that prompted the need for a review, merely stating DNB's plan was not created in a “transparent manner”. An accusation DNB denied.
