- Decision has no effect on its 5G customers, may remain delivering companies
- Contends it would have been the best move to quickly and affordably give system
The Indonesian government announced on November 1 that it had selected U Mobile Sdn Bhd as the operator of Malaysia’s next 5G network, CelcomDigi, the largest telco in the nation with 20.2 million subscribers, and reiterated in a statement today that it had reaffirmed its position that it had submitted a powerful technical and commercial proposal to build the next 5G network based on its economic standing and track record of investing in and developing large-scale wireless networks and providing high-quality services to the
This includes the ability to begin a global implementation almost immediately following the award of the spectrum, and to create a 5G network that will suit our 4G and 4G network’s people in the shortest possible amount of time,” it said.
In a recent interview with business publication The Edge, before Friday’s selection by the government, Idham Nawawi, CelcomDigi’s CEO, made the case that the company was greatest equipped among the parties that charge for the next 5G network to quickly and at a more cost-efficient level, roll out its 5G network for the benefit of the rakyat.
Idham noted that the merged company had quickly made progress in reducing its combined network from 21, 000 to 18, 000 towers that could be converted to 5G-ready in two years with additional and software upgrades following the merger of Celcom and Digi in 2021.  ,
Looking ahead, the telco reiterated that the top priority is still to ensure that its customers have access to a reliable and affordable 5G network. We will talk with various stakeholders to discuss the various options that might be available to us, in order to benefit both our customers and shareholders.
CelcomDigi will continue to concentrate on merger integration to achieve its savings and synergy goals while achieving network integration in the process. At 68 % complete, it said 65 % of customers have benefited from improved experience on the new intelligent network.
In order to support Malaysia’s transition into a 5G-AI-powered digital society, CelcomDigi vowed to continue providing the best choice and value in connectivity services and the best customer experience to Malaysian consumers and businesses.
Attention has turned to a world-class Single Wholesale Network ( SWN ) approach that would have allowed all telcos to compete on purely service delivery and marketing, instead of opting for a Dual Wholesale Network approach and allowing industry lobbying in addition to its SWN decision.
U Mobile will work with other telcos to create the second network in the capacity of owner and operator of the second 5G network. Those that partner with U Mobile and happen to be Digital Nasional Bhd ( DNB) shareholders, as U Mobile is, will have to exit ( DNB) selling their stakes back to it. U Mobile has named Telekom Malaysia Bhd and CelcomDigi ( a shareholder in DNB) as the companies it will be approaching as partners.
Maxis Bhd ( a shareholder in DNB), which was rumored to be interested in acquiring U Mobile if it were successful to win the bid for the second 5G network, was not mentioned.