Maxis To Find Out Why It Was Snubbed For Second 5g Network

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Maxis, ranked as Malaysia’s second-largest mobile operator, had been reported in August to be in the driving seat to lead the second 5G rollout. (Maxis pic)
PETALING JAYA: Mobile operator Maxis, once touted to lead the second 5G network, is to hold talks with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to find out why U Mobile was chosen instead.
“We will engage with MCMC to understand the rationale for their decision and we will consider our options after discussions with all stakeholders,” the company said in a statement.
In a statement this evening, Maxis said its 5G network, with enhanced capabilities, would have taken far less time and resources to cover the same percentage of populated areas as the first 5G network, and would also be able to provide 5G coverage inside buildings in these areas.
Malaysia’s leading network operator, CelcomDigi, has also stated it would have been able to begin a rollout almost immediately to build a 5G network to match the coverage of its existing network.
CelcomDigi said it had presented MCMC with a “compelling technical and commercial proposal” and would now hold discussions with stakeholders “to consider several viable options ahead of us”, following yesterday’s announcement of U Mobile being chosen.
MCMC said yesterday that U Mobile, whose chairman is tycoon Vincent Tan, was selected “following detailed deliberations on the technical and commercial aspects regarding the second network”.
Maxis, controlled by billionaire T Ananda Krishnan, is ranked as the second-largest mobile operator. It had been reported in August to be in the driving seat to lead the second 5G rollout.
Malaysia’s first 5G mobile network was rolled out by government-owned Digital Nasional Bhd, which was set up as a single wholesaler to private network operators.
Following intense lobbying by the private networks, the new government led by Pakatan Harapan decided to allow a second network to be set up, and to sell 70% of DNB to the private companies.
5G is the fifth-generation of mobile network technology, and a new global wireless standard. It promises the ability to connect everything together with greater speed, massive network capacity and improved efficiency. - FMT

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