Malaysia's second 5G network reaches 90 per cent coverage ahead of schedule
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the milestone was reached in October, nine months early, as Malaysia moves to a dual-network model.
Malaysia’s second 5G network achieved coverage of 90 per cent in October, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil told a ministerial panel at Mobile World Congress Doha 2026. He said the network reached that level nine months before its scheduled target.
Fahmi described the milestone as progress towards a dual 5G network model intended to increase competition, attract investment and improve telecoms services.
He also outlined infrastructure work under the National Digital Network Plan, known as Jendela, which began in 2020. By July, fibre had passed approximately 10.12 million premises, he said, expanding access to high-speed broadband.
Beyond coverage, Fahmi said affordability, resilience and service quality needed to be addressed together. He said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission was promoting shared infrastructure and efficient deployment while working to close connectivity gaps in underserved communities.
The Universal Service Provision framework helps extend telecoms services to places where commercial investment alone may not be viable, he added.
Fahmi is leading Malaysia’s delegation to the International Telecommunication Union Plenipotentiary Conference in Doha, running from Nov 6 to 11. The visit also aims to secure Malaysia’s re-election to the ITU Council for the 2027–2030 term.
