The government will use the mandatory standard on access pricing or MSAP to ensure that 5G services remain affordable and fast, says communications minister Fahmi Fadzil.
He said the mechanism would be reviewed every two to three years.
“With this mechanism, we can make sure that prices remain competitive. It also enables the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to ensure that ordinary consumers get better prices in the future,” he told reporters.
Fahmi was speaking after a signing ceremony between U Mobile Sdn Bhd and Telekom Malaysia (TM) formalising the latter’s appointment as U Mobile’s key fibre backhaul partner.
Under the 10-year, RM2.4 billion partnership agreement, TM will provide U Mobile with backhaul infrastructure services, including fibre-leased line access to U Mobile’s 5G radio access network, data centre and TM edge facility leasing for points of interconnection.
Last year, the government said U Mobile had been selected to implement the nation’s second 5G network.
The telecommunications company, chaired by tycoon Vincent Tan, will work with other mobile network operators in rolling out the second 5G network.
Fahmi said U Mobile and Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) would leverage TM’s extensive fibre network, keeping costs manageable.
When asked if TM would also be part of the 5G roll-out, Fahmi said while TM could support infrastructure needs, only two players were officially involved in 5G services.
“For the purpose of the 5G network, there are only two service agreements. One is with DNB and the other is with U Mobile,” he said.
U Mobile CEO Wong Heang Tuck said that together with TM and other partners, the company was committed to achieving 80% coverage for populated areas by July 2026.
He said the partnership would also see TM fiberise almost 70% of U Mobile’s 5G sites.
“With TM’s comprehensive backhaul solutions, U Mobile will be able to fast-track our network deployment across the country while ensuring high availability, good resiliency, ultra-low latency and high bandwidth,” he added.
TM group CEO Amar Huzaimi Deris said the collaboration showed TM’s commitment to building an inclusive, future-ready infrastructure that fuels innovation, enhances connectivity, and drives digital progress nationwide.
