In reply to my question in Parliament, Deputy Communications and Digital Minister Teo Nie Ching said Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB)’s full development of the 5G network will allow 5G services to be offered at 13 sen per GB compared to the current cost of 4G services of RM 1.68 per GB. This is a marked reduction in cost saving for Malaysian consumers of 92% that will make Malaysia 5G services the third cheapest in ASEAN.
Teo said that the current implementation level of 5G services is 54.7%, Penang at 56.6% and is confident that the target of 80 %coverage for populated areas will be achieved by the end of this year. The whole 5G network will cost RM 16.5 billion with the government providing RM 500 million in start-up funds.
Malaysians should seize the opportunity to immerse fully in the digital economy, particularly when the government has also deferred the implementation of the online 10% sales tax for Low Value Goods, that is goods valued below RM 500.