Main image via RCR Wireless

via GIPHY

Malaysia will be offering airwaves for 5G networks at low cost to carriers. This is done to reduce the investment for carriers so they can offer speedier wireless service. 

According to the Communications and Multimedia Commission, 5G will be available in Malaysia by the third quarter of this year. An estimated cost of at least 7 billion ringgit (US$1.7billion) will be invested in 5G infrastructure over the next five years. Maxis, Axiata, Telekom Malaysia and Digi are among the companies that will be competing in the race to operate the country’s first 5G network.

The investment in 5g networks is crucial to the advancement of industry, where there will be new areas forming such as remote surgery and self-driving trucks that will utilize the 5G networks.

The government will forgo revenue from spectrum auctions in order and focus on allocating airwaves to the carriers via render from April onwards. This model was also used in China where the government provided cheap 5G airwaves for their carriers in order to increase of the communication sector.

China will also be benefiting from Malaysia as Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said May last year that the country will use Huawei’s equipment “as much as possible” and that it offers a significant advantage over its American counterparts.

Stay tuned for more announcements with RAAGA!