A lot has happened today in terms of the upcoming wide-scale initiation of the 5G cellular network where Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) have engaged with DNB upon the ‘5G Access Agreement’ and there are mixed results but most of them are positive – kinda.
Maxis
The last update about DNB and 5G was about Celcom, Digi, YES, and TM taking equity stakes via the Share Subscription Agreement with the absence of Maxis and U Mobile. However, Maxis’s latest publicized news turns that statement around as they are “currently assessing the governance requirements of 5G Access Agreement” which means in the end, they want to have a piece of that big 5G pie as well.
Although this is technically different from purchasing and owning equity stakes in DNB, as a multi-million dollar company, you can’t fall behind your competitors so I guess they just want to “utilize” the 5G network and base stations – perhaps like an “as-a-service” type of policy.
Celcom and Digi
For the recently merged and the biggest player of all, Celcom and Digi are going for the long-term game by confirming their subscription to the 5G Single Wholesale Network (SWN) for a total period of 10 years.
Throughout the active timeframe, they will tailor their solutions for end customer retail services first to help the mass public gain access to 5G while further value-added packages and innovative 5G equipment/applications dedicated to enterprise needs come later.
As of now, we only know which package offers a 5G connection for Celcom:
- Xpax Prepaid 35
- Xpax Prepaid 45
- Xpax Postpaid 40
- Xpax Postpaid 60
- MEGA Lightning 80
- MEGA Lightning 98
- MEGA Lightning 128
- MEGA Lightning 158
- MEGA Lightning 188
Unifi Mobile (TM)
As today begins the 5G era at least for Unifi Mobile by TM, the Uni5G commercial branding is what they are offering where unlimited data plans start from RM35 for prepaid and RM59 for postpaid, all based on a monthly rate.
Similar to Digi and Celcom, TM is also opting in for a 10-year subscription which ends on October 6 2032, and as of Q3 2022, the 5G coverage for Malaysia is around 33.2 with DNB expecting and aiming for an 80% figure by the end of 2024.
U Mobile
Lumping themselves in similar holes with Maxis due to not partaking in the Share Subscription Agreement, U Mobile might be one of the earliest telcos that “pre-sells” their 5G plan in order to get Malaysian ready for the cellular connection once it officially drops.
Well, by Thursday of this week those who are running the following plans should theoretically start seeing the 5G icon popping up on their smartphone’s home screen if they are within the coverage area:
- Prepaid U25
- Prepaid U35
- U Postpaid 38
- U Postpaid 68
- U Postpaid 98
- U FamilyShare lines
Just a quick note for prepaid users, there will be a Speed Booster function where the connection speed will be uncapped for 1 hour per day which makes up 30 hours across a month. Therefore, with the “slow zone” cap in place, U25 users only get 3Mbps while the U35 gang has 6Mbps.
Yes
Needless to say, as the earliest telco brand to offer 5G across multiple towns, YES is actually taking the slow and steady path by extending its coverage one step at a time while the 5G service is technically “up and running”.
But of course, as time goes by more fellas will be able to enjoy a truly smooth and blazing-fast 5G connection via the Yes Prepaid FT5G Unlimited or Infinite plans.
Expected Availability
Now the big question – when can we actually see the 5G icon on our smartphones? Well, that depends on the telco service you use because each one of them has different launch dates and they are down below, courtesy of SoyaCincau.
- Maxis – TBA (Still reviewing the Access Agreement)
- Digi – TBA (Signed the Access Agreement yet no date just yet)
- Unifi Mobile – October 31
- Celcom – November 1
- U Mobile – November 3
- YES – December 15
Like our Facebook Page here at NasiLemakTech.com for more news and in-depth reviews! Also, join our Facebook Group for insightful information and memes!
Subscribe to our YouTube channel too!
