5G network deployment details
The 5G network design and build undertaken by Ericsson will cost RM 11 billion (US$ 2.64 billion) and is expected to generate over 100,000 new jobs. The project, incorporating tower rental and fiber leasing, will benefit over 60% of Bumiputera and other Malaysian contractors over the next 10 years.
How a nationwide 5G network deployment will push Malaysia forward
The nationwide 5G deployment is part of the SEA nation’s “MyDIGITAL Blueprint”, with 5G nationwide connectivity playing a part to bring about “inclusive prosperity” to citizens towards digital transformation.
According to Hamidon, the partnership achieves this in two ways – firstly through its impact on the local vendor ecosystem, which will benefit from knowledge-sharing, building, and technology transfers from Ericsson.
The value of this is estimated to be around RM 4 billion over 10 years. Secondly, DNB aims for 5G services to be available in targeted areas by the end of 2021, with the goal of achieving 80% population coverage by 2024.
Ericsson President and Chief Executive Officer Börje Ekholm said, “As a platform for innovation, 5G will also enable Malaysian entrepreneurs to create future applications for the benefit of consumers and businesses in the country. To this end, we will collaborate with DNB on a 5G Experience and Innovation Lab, to fast track the adoption of 5G use cases.”
To date, Ericsson has deployed 86 live 5G networks globally.
Sectors to benefit from nationwide 5G services
DNB, in its evaluation of providers, considered long-term socioeconomic commitment as a key dimension of the evaluation process, in addition to the technical and commercial proposals.
“The viability of this approach is key to the execution of our 5G nationwide network rollout. DNB will collaborate with the MNOs (mobile network operators) to identify key verticals to co-create unique, resilient, and proprietary applications for the consumer, enterprise, and government segments.
At the same time, we will provide infrastructure and technology services to support and enable businesses as well as government capabilities, open new opportunities, and most importantly, meet changing customer needs.”, said Ralph Marshall, CEO of DNB.
He added that DNB will be focusing on three key service offerings such as enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB); ultra-reliable, low latency communications (URLCC), and massive machine-type communications (mMTC).
Targeted industries include oil & gas, ports, airports, government services, healthcare, power and utilities, manufacturing, banking and finance, education, retail, and agriculture.
Whilst Marshall briefly mentioned “the need to safeguard users and platforms through enhanced security, which is a critical element of 5G technology and services”, there was, however, no further explanation nor details about this aspect.
As popular as 5G is, critical concerns about its security have been brewing since as early as 2018. It is thought that the increased bandwidth offered by 5G coupled with wider access to ultra-fast connections between devices could enable a wider threat surface area for attackers.
- Reference: Techwire Asia