DNB Exceeded 2022 5G COPA Target. On Track For 2024

• 5G coverage in 7 states and 2 federal territories tops target
• 5G compatible devices in Malaysia to eclipse 40 million by 2030

Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) announce that Malaysia’s 5G network has achieved almost 50% coverage of populated areas (COPA) with some 3,900 sites as at end-2022 — exceeding its target of 40%.
 
It is now focused on delivering the target of 80% COPA by the end of 2024, if not earlier. The network currently reaches some 15 million people. When fully deployed, it will reach more than 30 million people and businesses.
 
To reach the goal, state and local councils provided accelerated approvals for deployment to DNB. As a result, it was able to achieve a speedier deployment last month.
 
DNB has achieved more than 90% COPA throughout Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, and Selangor as well as some 50% across Johor, Malacca and Negeri Sembilan. All other states are in various stages of deployment.

Full network deployment is expected by 2024, if not earlier.
 
Nationwide 5G coverage 
 
“Having exceeded our 2022 network coverage target, we are working closely with both our Mobile Network Operator (MNO) partners and device manufacturers to promote and encourage the rapid adoption of 5G nationwide in 2023. The MNOs have introduced numerous 5G data plans for their customers at very attractive retail prices, to encourage the adoption of 5G services,” said DNB Chief Operating Officer, Nasution Mohamed.

Celcom Axiata Bhd, Digi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd, Telekom Malaysia Bhd, U Mobile Sdn Bhd, and YTL Communications Sdn Bhd (YES), have all made retail 5G services available to their subscribers following the signing of their respective 5G Access Agreements with DNB on 31 October 2022.
 
Maxis Bhd customers will have to wait as the company plans to seek its shareholders’ approval to execute the 5G Access Agreement with DNB in January this year.
 
Increase in 5G-compatible smartphones and 5G network traffic

Approximately 8 million 5G devices are already in the hands of end users as of end-2022. Growth is forecasted to double this year and exceed 40 million devices by 2030.
 
Apple is the latest device manufacturer to issue firmware updates in Malaysia to make iPhones 12 and later models compatible with Malaysia’s 5G network. 

There are currently 15 device brands with more than 100 5G-compatible devices for all budgets available in the Malaysian market. This, coupled with myriad retail 5G data plan offerings from the five Malaysian MNOs will result in accelerated 5G adoption among end users over the next few years.
 
Since the launch of 5G services by the five MNOs, Malaysia’s 5G network has seen an 8x increase in usage from 32TB to 253TB per day, with a peak of some 90,000 concurrent users as of 31 December 2022. 

The 5G network is averaging 380 Mbps download speed (which compares favourably with other reported global benchmarks) against the average 4G download speed of 35 Mbps.