State executive council member for infrastructure Zairil Khir Johari announced the 5G initiative last weekend, promising that users will be able to access the network by logging in from their devices to the airport’s internet connection. While this doesn’t come out of surprise since Bayan Lepas is indeed part of Penang’s 5G coverage area, the implementation at the airport was done using in-building system that was deployed by the national 5G company, Digital Nasional Berhad. Of course, those who want to try it out should make sure their device supports DNB’s 5G network in the first place as well as a Yes 5G SIM card. Penang currently has 151 5G sites that were activated under the first phase of 5G deployment in the state with 58 of them being new infrastructures and 93 existing sites that were upgraded. However, on the Seberang Perai side, it is only limited to the Penang Port area in Butterworth for now. Citing the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, Zairil said that Penang has exceeded the national average of digital connection per 100 residents — it stands at 152.6% while the national average is 124.1%. The second phase of Penang’s 5G deployment will take place early next year with 235 sites in Seberang Perai, along with 77 more 5G locations in the island’s northeast district.
As of now, only YTL’s Yes is offering 5G plans to consumers, starting from RM30 per month for a prepaid plan or RM58 per month if you prefer a postpaid plan. There is also the Yes Infinite+ 5G device plan and the company has recently introduced the Yes Wireless Fibre 5G plan for RM148 per month. The state of Malaysia’s 5G rollout has been uncertain for months, as major telcos butt heads with government-owned DNB, the country’s sole 5G network provider, over shares and monopoly concerns. At the end of August, it was confirmed that Maxis and U Mobile, two of the biggest carriers in the country, have pulled out from acquiring a minority stake in DNB. However, the telcos still intend to move forward with accessing the state-run vehicle’s 5G network. Communications and Multimedia Minister Annuar Musa said that despite the setback, the wider rollout is still expected to happen at the end of September or early October.
