Ports, railways and highways could be next in Malaysia’s 5G coverage push

Butterworth, on October 17, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil announced that the Communications Ministry and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will explore extending telecommunications coverage to key economic areas, such as ports, rail lines, and highways. The current Coverage of Populated Area (CoPA) metric, which measures connectivity in populated areas, may need to be reevaluated to account for connectivity needs in less populated but economically significant regions.

For instance, ports, although lacking residents, serve as vital economic hubs. Fahmi emphasized that Malaysia would raise this matter at international forums, including an upcoming ITU meeting in Doha, to discuss extending 5G and future technologies beyond populated areas. The Penang Port Private 5G initiative, launched at the North Butterworth Container Terminal, marks Penang Port as Malaysia's first port to utilize a private 5G network in partnership with Altel Communications Sdn Bhd and Penang Port.

Fahmi stressed that reliable connectivity is essential for industrial operations, and telecommunications infrastructure should not be confined to populated areas alone. Private 5G networks can be expanded to manufacturing, logistics, and multinational corporations operating in Malaysia, offering dedicated connectivity that supports numerous devices simultaneously.

The minister also highlighted that the technology enables high-precision machinery and equipment to function optimally. Fahmi, who serves as the Madani government spokesman, stated that his ministry would prepare a Cabinet memorandum on the proposal and collaborate with the Ministry of Transport to extend coverage, including through 5G deployment at additional ports.

Previous collaboration between the two ministries to address internet connectivity gaps along major rail routes, managed by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB), demonstrated the feasibility of expanding such efforts using 5G technology. Fahmi noted that private 5G networks provide distinct advantages over conventional networks by offering dedicated communication channels for critical industrial operations, eliminating the need for users to share network capacity with others.

He concluded by advocating for broader adoption of private 5G networks in private-sector industries, such as manufacturing and oil palm plantations, to enhance operational efficiency and safety.