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The
announcement comes after the matter was raised in Cabinet last
week.
Mobile service operators had recommended a second 5G provider in
an impasse with DNB over pricing and other issues, people with
knowledge of the matter told Reuters in December.
The government is sticking with its plan for a sole 5G network
to maintain policy continuity, but will allow telecoms companies
to hold equity stakes to speed up the construction of
infrastructure, the finance and communication ministries said in
a joint statement on Wednesday.
"Ownership, equity value, and other aspects related to this
proposed equity participation are subject to negotiations
between DNB and telecommunications companies, with an agreement
set to be finalized in the near future," the ministries said.
The government will retain a 30% equity stake in DNB, with the
agency to be regulated by the communications ministry.
DNB and major operators Axiata Group's Celcom, DiGi.com Berhad,
and Maxis Berhad did not immediately respond to requests for
comment.
Malaysia last year scrapped a plan to apportion spectrum to
service providers, opting instead for a single shared network to
reduce costs, improve efficiency and speed up infrastructure
construction.
Service providers said that plan risked creating a nationalised
monopoly that would be more costly than if they deployed 5G
networks themselves. DNB said the cost of accessing its 5G
network would be less than the telecom companies incurred for
4G.
DNB has also offered free 5G services to service providers until
March 31 while it seeks to finalise long-term wholesale
agreements.
(Reporting by Rozanna Latiff and Liz Lee; Editing by Christopher
Cushing and Mark Potter)
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