The Malaysian government has announced it has signed up two companies to commercial services agreements to Digital Nasional, the firm established by the state to operate a single wholesale 5G network.

Communications and multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa said all companies are currently in the process of negotiating the price of equity within Digital Nasional, with a deadline of June 20 n the horizon.

So far Telekom Malaysia and YTL Communications have both completed deals for shares and service agreements. The government has pledged to offer up to 70% of the equity in Digital Nasional, a concession it made to appease operators against the idea of a single 5G network.

In March, Malaysia’s largest mobile operators Celcom Axiata, Digi, Maxis and U Mobile seem to be warming to the government’s move to push ahead with a single 5G network which all operators share. However, the request for a second network by the players to be constructed was rejected by the government.