Malaysian operator U Mobile has announced that it has received official approval from the country’s telecoms regulator to deploy its 5G network.

In a statement, U Mobile confirmed that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) had granted approval via an official letter of award.

U Mobile CEO Wong Heang Tuck said: “With this mandate, U Mobile looks forward to playing a more critical role in realising the government’s ambitions to make Malaysia a regional leader in the digital economy by delivering a superior experience through our enterprise-grade, next-generation 5G network. We are committed to supporting the nation’s digital transformation by driving 5G adoption and helping Malaysia achieve its goal of becoming a high-income digital nation.”

U Mobile was selected to build Malaysia’s second 5G network after special-purpose vehicle company Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) was tasked with deploying the first. Under the previous government, DNB’s 5G network was intended to be the sole 5G network, with all operators gaining equal access through wholesale agreements with the state-owned entity.

However, under a new administration, a second 5G network was commissioned to U Mobile in 2024, following a comprehensive evaluation of technical and commercial factors.

U Mobile plans to deploy between 5,000 and 7,000 5G sites nationwide and aims to complete its rollout by mid-2026.

The Malaysian government’s original plan to establish a single 5G network—intended to accelerate deployment and drive national development as part of its broader digital transformation strategy—was criticised for hindering technological progress. This was particularly evident as neighbouring Southeast Asian countries made significant strides in deploying 5G.