Trust, not just coverage, is Malaysia’s next 5G challenge

Malaysia's 5G networks are on the brink of a significant shift, with trust emerging as the next crucial factor to consider beyond mere coverage and capacity expansion. As the country prepares to leverage its new 3.3-3.4 GHz spectrum, which effectively doubles network capacity, analysts warn that the true test lies in building a "trusted" infrastructure that goes beyond standard cybersecurity measures.

Jamil Ghani, a PhD researcher at Singapore’s S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, explains that while Malaysia has the fundamental infrastructure for advanced applications like network slicing, private 5G, and industrial use, the shift towards these sophisticated uses necessitates a network that ensures supply-chain security, vendor independence, software continuity, data governance, and resilience against major cyber or geopolitical disruptions.

The analyst emphasizes that trust in 5G networks should guarantee predictability and optionality, ensuring that geopolitical tensions do not disrupt operations or compliance in the country. Currently, Malaysia operates two separate 5G networks, one operated by Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) using Ericsson technology and the other by U Mobile utilizing Huawei and ZTE.

This dual approach could foster trust and strategic autonomy, as it allows businesses to access various technology ecosystems without being drawn into bloc alignments. However, maintaining this diversity must be balanced with interoperability and cost efficiency to prevent unnecessary duplication of infrastructure.