MDEC, GSMA sign MoU to spur development of 5G applications in Malaysia

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  • 5G use cases have potential to drive economic growth, achieve SDG goals
  • Collaboration to drive digital investments interest in line with Malaysia Digital

MDEC CEO Mahadhir Aziz (left) and GSMA head of APAC Julian Gorman at MWC 2023 in Barcelona, Spain.

Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), the nation’s lead digital economy agency under the Ministry of Communications and Digital has entered into a MoU with Groupe Speciale Mobile Association (GSMA) to spur development of 5G application utilising use cases and collaborating to accelerate Malaysia’s digital economy growth.  

Fahmi Fadzil, minister of Communications and Digital said this MoU marks an important milestone for Malaysia especially at this vital juncture with the roll-out of 5G in the country, which is expected hit 80% coverage of populated areas by the end of 2024. 

“The use cases based on 5G technology have an immense potential to drive significant economic growth, improve social outcomes, and help Malaysia achieve its sustainable development goals, aligned to the Malaysia MADANI vision,” he said, expressing confidence that the MoU, together with GSMA’s extensive network, experience and know-how, will help raise the digital capabilities, capacities and value of Malaysia’s digital economy. 

According to MDEC, amongst the sectors that will benefit from the use cases include smart cities, Industry 4.0, education, healthtech, environmental monitoring and social inclusivity. 

It said GSMA will also commit to highlight Malaysia case studies and share of contribution in GSMA Intelligence reports including the APAC Mobile Economy Report and Digital Societies report.

The agency added that under the MoU, MDEC and GSMA will also collaborate to drive interest into digital investments in line with the new national strategic initiative, Malaysia Digital. 

It will also seek to develop the capability and capacity in Malaysia on 5G to drive the interest in Digital Investments, MDEC said. 

Mahadhir Aziz, CEO of MDEC said GSMA will be an important partner for Malaysia as it seeks to accelerate the growth of the digital economy. 

“With their credentials as one of the foremost authorities in mobile and digital technology and MDEC’s deep expertise in the digital ecosystem of ASEAN, the opportunities to be created will be of significant value,” he added. 

GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide uniting more than seven hundred fifty operators with almost four hundred companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors.