Malaysia’s Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has stated that its 5G vehicle Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) will be subject to the same regulations as other communications firms despite being a government body.
The DNB was announced last month as a special purpose vehicle dedicated to the deployment of 5G, after Malaysia’s government confirmed that the country could see 5G deployments taking place before the end of 2021 despite previously stating that implementation was unlikely until 2022.
As reported by CommsUpdate, MCMC has now confirmed that the DNB will be licensed to operate under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA 1998), making it subject to regulation “just like any other licensee in the communications and multimedia industry, notwithstanding the fact that the entity is wholly owned by the Government.”
MCMC has stated that the DNB will be a “wholesale neutral party” that provides “closely monitored” services under the provisions of the CMA 1998. The ministry’s goal is to ensure fair 5G spectrum access and to optimise its usage.
