Malaysian mobile network operators (MNOs) Celcom Axiata, Digi Telecommunications, Maxis and U Mobile have said they remain in talks with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) over the key terms of the 5G reference access offer (RAO) recently published by Digital Nasional Berhand (DNB), the company which is rolling out the country’s sole 5G network.
According to local press reports, the MNOs issued a joint statement regarding the matter, saying that discussions with DNB relating to commercial access agreements would only begin once the terms of the RAO had been settled. The quartet noted: ‘To that end, the MNOs remain in discussions with MCMC to seek more clarity on some of the details in the published RAO … A recent analyst report may suggest that open topics between DNB and its key prospective customers had been resolved, but this interpretation would be inaccurate.’
Of note, the MNOs have suggested that ‘a majority of concerns and issues previously raised with MCMC and DNB have not yet been adequately addressed … including key principles proposed for the RAO to be consistent with industry best practices’. As such, it has been claimed by the cellcos that in its current form the RAO would not enable affordable 5G connectivity for Malaysian consumers and businesses and could hinder the uptake of the next generation of mobile broadband connectivity in the country.