{
  "id": 19252363,
  "title": "Perubahan pemilikan DNB: Apa kesan terhadap pilihan 5G Malaysia?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/perubahan-pemilikan-dnb-apa-kesan-terhadap-pilihan-5g-malaysia-19252363",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-09T23:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/bahasa/tempatan/2026/11/10/perubahan-pemilikan-dnb-apa-kesan-terhadap-pilihan-5g-malaysia"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) is expected to relinquish its majority stake in favor of CelcomDigi, Maxis, and YTL Power, paving the way for the telecommunications infrastructure and 5G network provider. Malaysia's decision to adopt a dual 5G network aims to increase competition, expand choices, and reduce reliance on a single provider. The dual-network approach involves Ericsson for the first network and Huawei and ZTE for the second, with each network relying on different equipment, software, and supporting systems. Quah Mei Lee, a senior ICT research fellow at Frost & Sullivan, noted that the dual-network configuration could provide geopolitical advantages to Malaysia, enabling different security, access, and regulatory approaches.\n\nThe DNB's ownership is shared among the government (through the Ministry of Finance), CelcomDigi, Maxis, and YTL Power. The RM5.2 billion funding, the government is expected to hold a majority stake, while the three telecommunications companies are anticipated to hold equal shares. However, the government will retain special control to oversee strategic matters. The change in DNB ownership is expected to significantly impact the telco's operations, expenses, and investment decisions. The transition does not mean that the technology suppliers will change abruptly, as the 10-year collaboration between DNB and Ericsson began in 2021. The bigger question is whether future investment decisions could limit technology choices, even though Malaysia still has two network operators.\n\nExperts warn that dependence on a homogeneous ecosystem of suppliers could expose both networks to similar risks, including software vulnerabilities, power outages, and export restrictions. However, maintaining different critical technologies does not mean that every asset needs to be duplicated. Menaka Ghani, a PhD researcher at the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, cautions that reliance on a diversified supplier ecosystem can expose both networks to similar risks, such as software weaknesses, power disruptions, and export constraints. Nevertheless, maintaining different critical technologies does not require every asset to be duplicated, as telecommunications masts and some fiber-optic infrastructure can still be shared.\n\nFor the business sector, the availability of technology choices also determines the ability of companies to upgrade systems and handle operational disruptions. Lorela Chia, founder of the Founders Association of Malaysian Supply Chain Innovation and Improvement, previously told FMT that having multiple networks provides more options for manufacturers when connecting systems or replacing suppliers. This is particularly important for small manufacturers that often use a mix of legacy machines, new automation, and multiple cloud platforms. \"For them, changing technology should not mean losing what is already working or starting from scratch,\" she said.\n\nThe uncertainty surrounding future technology support could also deter investment. Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia economist Noorihsan Mohamad noted that uncertainty about future technology support could lead businesses to delay spending, especially for complex systems, integrations, and training that cannot easily be recovered. Regarding ensuring both networks remain distinct, Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal urged Putrajaya to maintain both Western and Chinese technology avenues. He argued that diversification is essential to safeguard digital sovereignty and investor confidence. This raises questions about whether technology diversification should be a clear commitment rather than solely relying on existing supplier contracts. Asrul suggests establishing clear governance and clear decision-making for ensuring both networks remain distinct in terms of technology, competitiveness, and resilience to changes in ownership or suppliers. \"Public assurances are helpful, but they are not enough,\" he said. Samirul Ariff Othman, an analyst, reminds that technology supplier arrangements cannot currently be considered a guarantee that Malaysia will continue to have two distinct technology blocks. He stresses that stronger safeguards, including supplier exchange rules, independent assessments, customer notifications, and transition procedures, are necessary to ensure technology diversification remains a clear objective, not dependent on commercial agreements between operators.",
  "summary": "FMT menjelaskan rasional Malaysia menggunakan dua rangkaian, kesan penguasaan lebih besar syarikat telekomunikasi serta kepentingan kepastian teknologi kepada perniagaan.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}