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DNB & Ericsson Spearhead Enterprise Digitalization With Malaysia’s World-Class 5G Infrastructure

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Malaysia is poised for a digital revolution, and at the forefront of this transformation is a powerful combination: a world-leading 5G network and a collaborative program designed to unlock its potential for businesses.

Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) and Ericsson have joined forces to launch a groundbreaking initiative that will catalyze the digitalization of enterprises across Malaysia. This program, formalized through Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with industry leaders like eMooVit Technology, Scania, SKF Malaysia, and Intel, paves the way for advanced technologies to empower businesses of all sizes.

DNB x Ericsson

Leveraging World-class Infrastructure with Wide Coverage

Malaysia boasts one of the most impressive 5G networks globally, with over 80% population coverage and exceptional performance. This robust infrastructure, as Datuk Ahmad Zaki Zahid, DNB’s Chief Strategy Officer, highlights, positions Malaysia uniquely to accelerate its digital journey.

“The network already covers more than 80% of the population and has one of the best experiential and consistent performances in the world,” says Zahid. “To further drive the adoption of 5G amongst enterprises, DNB and Ericsson have initiated this program.”

Creating “Lighthouses” to Propel Digitization and Adoption

This program focuses on establishing “lighthouse” projects across key industries. These projects will showcase the transformative potential of 5G integration, acting as catalysts to inspire and guide widespread digitalization efforts.

Intel, a leading technology provider, brings its expertise to the table as a partner in this initiative. Ms. AK Chong, VP of Foundry Manufacturing & Supply Chain and Intel Malaysia MD, emphasizes the crucial role of 5G in driving industry transformation.

DNS x Ericsson 5G Entreprise
MoU signing ceremony. (From left to right) Mr David Hägerbro, Head of Ericsson Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh; Mr Nunzio Mirtillo, Former Head of Market Area South East Asia Oceania and India; Mr Fredrik Jejdling, Executive Vice President and Head of Networks, Ericsson; Mr Andrés Vicente, Head of Market Area South East Asia, Oceania & India; Datuk Ahmad Zaki Zahid, DNB Chief Strategy Officer; Mr Börje Ekholm, Ericsson Group CEO; YB Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Digital; Tuan Ma Sivanesan, Deputy Secretary General (Strategic Policy), Ministry Of Digital; Mr Nasution Mohamed, Chief Operating Officer, Digital Nasional Berhad; Ms AK Chong, VP of Foundry Manufacturing & Supply Chain and Intel Malaysia; Dr. Hairi Zamzuri, CEO of eMooVit Technology; Ms Heba Eltarifi, Managing Director of Scania Southeast Asia; Mr Vignesh Sakthinathan, Managing Director of SKF Malaysia

“As 5G becomes a catalyst for industry transformation,” says Chong, “Intel’s technology is at the heart of this change, catalyzing AI at the edge and breaking down barriers in the 5G core space.”

The program focuses on developing customized solutions for various industries. Here are some exciting collaborations already underway:

  • eMooVit Technology: This collaboration will explore the use of 5G for autonomous vehicles, a technology with the potential to revolutionize urban transportation. Dr. Hairi Zamzuri, CEO of eMooVit, highlights the significance of this partnership: “This exciting collaboration with Ericsson will be key to bringing these solutions to life through enterprise adoption, and in the long-term, revolutionize urban transportation together.”
  • Scania: With Scania, the focus is on optimizing assembly lines and fleet management systems using 5G’s Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) capabilities. As Ms. Heba Eltarifi, Managing Director of Scania Southeast Asia, explains: “With 5G technology, Scania Malaysia aims to explore further optimizing our assembly and our fleet management system to deliver greater efficiency and effectiveness to our customers.”
  • SKF Malaysia: This collaboration will leverage 5G to enable wireless digitalization on the manufacturing shop floor. This will allow for real-time data collection and analysis, leading to increased efficiency and innovation. Mr. Vignesh Sakthinathan, Managing Director of SKF Malaysia, expresses his enthusiasm: “We are thrilled to embark on this journey… As the world’s leader in Bearing, Seals, Lubrication systems and technologies, SKF Malaysia’s manufacturing arm is committed to embracing digitalization to drive innovation and deliver value to our customers.”

This initiative by DNB and Ericsson, along with their industry partners, presents a significant leap forward for Malaysia’s digital transformation. By harnessing the power of 5G, businesses across the nation can unlock new levels of efficiency, productivity, and innovation. As David Hägerbro, Head of Ericsson Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, concludes: “The digitalization of industries in Malaysia will enable the country to leapfrog as a Digital Nation. But they need to begin planning and investing in their digital journey now.”

News

Malaysia Finally Flips The Switch! 5G Activations Start in November

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Malaysia is finally looking to get its 5G act together after over 2 years in limbo. While the country started its 5G conversation early in 2019, political instability, the pandemic and multiple changes in the plans for 5G have seen the country without widespread 5G connectivity until now.

In 2021, Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) was established to be the single “special-purpose” vehicle for the country’s rollout of 5G under the purview of the Ministry of Finance (MoF) and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). Since then, DNB has been in a tumultuous state with telcos refusing terms and even members of the public and experts criticising DNB’s presence.

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Photo by Z z on Pexels.com

However, in late 2021, DNB did an initial launch of 5G with only two telcos – TM and YTL Communications (YES) onboard. Since then, little has changed with DNB continuing to set up 5G infrastructure while it struggled to reach a consensus even with the MoF’s invitation to telco to take up a stake in the vehicle. In early October 2022, an agreement was finally reached with two telcos – U Mobile and Maxis – abstaining from claiming a stake in DNB. DNB is now owned by MoF (35%), YTL Communications (20%), TM (20%), Celcom Axiata (12.5%) and Digi Telecommunications (12.5%). Celcom Axiata and Digi are in the midst of a merger following the agreement between parent companies Axiata and Telenor to merge operations. In light of this merger, the resulting company’s stake was limited to 25%. As of 31 October 2022, five of the six telcos in Malaysia have finally signed an access agreement with DNB for access to the 5G network.

With all the drama done with, Malaysia is finally getting widespread coverage starting with key areas in the country’s central region of Klang Valley. Aside from YES – which has already rolled out its 5G offerings – telcos are beginning to provide access to users starting on 1st November 2022. Digi and Maxis have yet to announce any offerings for 5G. We’ve summarised the usage and plans available in the table below for easy reference.

Telco5G RolloutDetails
YTL Communications (YES)Already available5G is available on:
1. Infinte+ Postpaid plans
2. FT5G Unlimited Prepaid
3. Wireless Fibre 5G plans
TM31 October 2022TM Unifi Mobile users will be able to access the 5G network for free until 31 December 2022. After which it seems like they will need to register for the new Uni5G plans to access the 5G network. Prices for subscriptions start at MYR1.
Celcom Axiata1 November 20225G access will be available to all Celcom subscribers according to their plans for free until December 2022. Plans included:
1. Celcom MEGA Lightning (80, 98, 128, ,158 and 188)
2. Celcom Xpax Postpaid (40 and 60)
3. Celcom Xpax Prepaid (35 and 45)
U Mobile3 November 2022U Mobile subscribers of their recently launched 5G Ready U Postpaid plans will be able to use the 5G network with compatible devices. Prepaid users on U25 and U35 plans will need to redeem a “Speed Booster” for free which entitles them to 1 hour of 5G connectivity a day with up to 30 hours a month.
DigiTBATBA
MaxisTBATBA

It’s worth noting that Maxis, one of the nation’s largest telcos, has yet to ratify the access agreement. The company has cited that its board is still accessing the requirements for the 5G Access Agreement. In its statement to the press, Maxis states, “Maxis is committed to playing an active role in bringing 5G to the nation in line with the Government’s digital ambitions, and to utilising Digital Nasional Berhad’s (DNB) network for 5G services. The Company looks forward to bringing the best of 5G services and solutions to its customers and is confident of launching 5G in the near future”. The company has also recently appointed a new CEO, Goh Seow Eng, who has served in Advanced Info Service (AIS) in Thailand. Goh will be taking the reigns from Gökhan Öğüt, who has been the CEO of Maxis for nearly 4 years.

So, it looks like Maxis and Digi customers can expect an announcement in the near future possibly with revamped plans.