Be transparent over DNB's agreement with telcos on 5G rollout, PKR tells Putrajaya

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Central Leadership Council member G. Manivanan questions over the agreement between DNB and 4 telcos by Sept 30. - Pic from Manivanan Gowin's Facebook page.
SHAH ALAM - PKR has urged Putrajaya to be transparent over an agreement to be signed between Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) and four telcos telecommunication companies over the 5G rollout.

Central Leadership Council member G. Manivanan said the move DNB, the special government vehicle under Finance Ministry has not been tested before.

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"Malaysians as end users have the right to know the essence and details of the agreement between DNB and the four telcos openly and transparently,” he said in a statement.

Communications and Multimedia minister Tan Seri Annuar Musa had recently said discussions on the 5G network will be signed by Sept 30, 2022.

"The discussions and agreement between DNB and the telecommunications companies have been delayed several times since May til now for reasons known only to those involved,” he said.

He said in Malaysia, the government stipulates the use of the Single Wholesale Network (SWN) method, and the full implementation mandate is given to DNB which uses the Multi-Operator Core Network (MOCN) concept to launch 5G technology.

He said DNB will offer 5G services as a wholesale network service to other telecommunications companies which means that DNB would monopolise the project, while the telecommunications companies will be offering the 5G services to the end users.

"In other countries, the approach and practice is different where the right to develop the 5G spectrum is auctioned to telecommunications companies, creating competition and generating revenue for the government.

In Malaysia, DNB will be the sole recipient of the 5G service.

Due to that, he said the finance ministry should answer on the price model and network access plan and agreed between DNB and the 4 telcos.

"How much is the equity holding between DNB and the 4 telcos? Who is the majority equity holder in this 5G project and to what extent is the role, influence, and investment control of the 4 telcos on this 5G project?," he said.

The former Kapar MP also asked if DNB cwill harge a fee or payment from telcos for the 5G access or services and the content of DNB's Reference Access Offer (RAO) letter that should have set the price, service commitment, and other details for the 5G wholesale model.