GEORGE TOWN: The government is moving closer to implementing a dual 5G network with the announcement of new Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) board members, according to Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo.
He said at this point in time, there were conditions precedent (CPs) that needed to be carried out by DNB.
“The last requirement was for them to get the board of directors constituted. So this morning they (DNB) issued a statement stating that board directors have been appointed.
“After this, they will move forward and I hope that they can move forward quickly because it is very important for us to make sure that we can focus on the 5G rollout,” he told reporters after attending Connected Industries Day: Transforming Manufacturing With 5G And AI event here today.
Gobind pointed out that DNB is the country’s single wholesale 5G network operator at the moment but the government’s position to move towards a dual network remains.
The minister also stressed that it has always been the government’s policy and commitment to have a dual network.
Earlier, DNB announced the appointment of five new board members, comprising senior leaders from the telecommunications and technology industry, effective April 24, 2024.
Meanwhile, Gobind noted that DNB has successfully built the 5G infrastructure across the country with 80.5 per cent coverage of populated areas as of the end of March this year with more than 11.2 million subscribers as of February.
He said DNB together with mobile operators also have overseen the deployment of several 5G private networks including in the oil and gas sector.
Therefore, Gobind urged the manufacturing sector in this country to quickly invest in adopting 5G and cutting-edge technologies such as industrial robots and automation in their operation to stay relevant.
He emphasised that the 5G private network demonstrates secure and reliable, ultra-fast and low-latency connectivity that enables disruptive and cutting-edge applications and that these 5G capabilities will stand to benefit the manufacturing sector.
“The Association for Advancing Automation estimates that the global market for industrial robots is to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 10.5 per cent between 2023 and 2030,” he said.
