DOHA: Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil shared Malaysia’s progress in expanding its 5G network at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) Doha 2026, with the country’s second 5G network achieving 90 per cent coverage in October, nine months ahead of schedule.
He said the achievement marked significant progress in Malaysia’s transition towards a dual 5G network model aimed at enhancing competition, encouraging investment and improving the quality of telecommunications services.
Fahmi said Malaysia had also made substantial investments to expand and strengthen its digital infrastructure through the National Digital Network Plan (JENDELA) since 2020.
“As of July 2026, approximately 10.12 million premises had access to fibre-optic networks, significantly improving access to high-speed broadband services,” he said at the Ministerial Panel of the Digital Leadership Forum, held in conjunction with MWC Doha 2026, here today.
He said these developments reflected the country’s efforts to build a competitive and sustainable telecommunications ecosystem while ensuring consumers benefited from improved service quality.
However, Fahmi stressed that Malaysia’s digital infrastructure development was not solely focused on expanding network coverage, but also on service quality, affordability and network resilience.
He said all these aspects needed to be addressed comprehensively to ensure digital connectivity delivered meaningful benefits to the people.
“Through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), we continue to encourage infrastructure sharing and efficient network deployment, while addressing connectivity gaps among underserved communities,” he said.
Fahmi said the Universal Service Provision (USP) framework also played an important role in extending telecommunications services to areas that might not be commercially viable through private investment alone.
He said this approach allowed Malaysia to balance infrastructure investment with the need to ensure telecommunications services remained accessible and affordable.
“For Malaysia, a successful network model is one that combines strong infrastructure, sustainable investment, effective regulation and meaningful access for all,” he said.
Fahmi is in Doha to lead the Malaysian delegation to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-26), which runs from Nov 6 to 11.
His working visit to Doha also carries the important mission of securing Malaysia’s re-election to the ITU Council for the 2027-2030 term.
He is accompanied by Communications Ministry Deputy Secretary-General (Telecommunications Infrastructure) Mano Verabathran.
The Malaysian delegation also includes representatives from MCMC and local telecommunications industry players, including Telekom Malaysia (TM), CelcomDigi, Maxis and U Mobile.
