{
  "id": 12831200,
  "title": "Analyst: Trust key to Malaysia's next 5G phase",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/analyst-trust-key-to-malaysias-next-5g-phase",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-08T08:53:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/business/2026/10/1550605/analyst-trust-key-malaysias-next-5g-phase"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Malaysia's upcoming 5G phase hinges on establishing trust in its networks, says analyst Jamil Ghani. Businesses leveraging 5G for industrial operations and critical services require safeguards beyond conventional cybersecurity, encompassing supply chain security, data governance, and continuity of service. While cybersecurity is essential, trust should also extend to supply chain security, vendor dependency, software continuity, data governance, and maintaining services during major cyber or geopolitical disruptions. The aim is to transform 5G into trusted economic infrastructure, not merely fast telecommunications infrastructure. DNB's financing of RM5.2 billion and new spectrum assignment, effective October 1, support this transition. The newly activated F-Zero spectrum (3.3–3.4 GHz) doubles network capacity and enables 5G-Advanced and AI-driven capabilities. U Mobile's second 5G network achieved 90% coverage of populated areas on October 7. Malaysia already possesses the foundational infrastructure for advanced applications, such as network slicing, private 5G, and industrial use in factories, ports, and hospitals. To build business confidence, multinational companies need assurance about network security and the technology ecosystems supporting their operations. Their choices must align with procurement rules, cybersecurity requirements, data governance standards, and regulatory obligations across various jurisdictions. Businesses must also consider potential impacts of sanctions, export controls, or supply chain disruptions on access to equipment, software, and technical support. Trust increasingly equates to predictability and optionality, as geopolitical tensions elsewhere should not create unforeseen operational or compliance issues in Malaysia. Maintaining technological diversity, as noted by Frost & Sullivan, could contribute to trust. The two 5G networks, operated by DNB (using Ericsson technology) and U Mobile (utilizing Huawei and ZTE), have distinct technology ecosystems. This technological diversity offers strategic value, allowing businesses to select technology ecosystems without Malaysia taking a specific side. Distinct technology ecosystems need not involve duplicating all infrastructure; differences matter most in active network layers, including radio networks, core network pathways, network management, security architecture, and software lifecycles. Passive infrastructure, like towers and ducts, could remain shared.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s next 5G challenge is building trust in its networks as businesses increasingly rely on them for industrial operations and critical services, an analyst says.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Trust, not just coverage, is Malaysia’s next 5G challenge",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/trust-not-just-coverage-is-malaysias-next-5g-challenge",
        "published": "2026-10-08T07:39:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}