THE termination of Telekom Malaysia Bhd’s (TM) share subscription agreement (SSA) with Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) will not affect implementation of the country’s 5G network, said Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil. 

He said as of April 30, the implementation of the 5G network in the country had reached 61.7%. 

“So, it’s (the 5G implementation) progressing, and we expect to reach 80% by the end of the year. 

“When we reach 80%, we will transition from a single wholesale network to dual network,” he said when met at the ‘Majlis Sekalung Budi with the Minister’ at Angkasapuri today. 

He said the telecommunication company’s announcement was in line with the terms of the agreement requiring them to inform Bursa Malaysia that previous talks had ceased, and all previously agreed points had been withdrawn.  

“After the government announced a new direction for the development and implementation of the 5G network in Malaysia, they had to inform Bursa Malaysia that the previous discussion had stopped and everything that was previously agreed upon had been withdrawn. 

“However, new discussions will start. They (telco companies) can start a fresh discussion because the terms are different now,” he said, adding that a task force would also be formed to oversee the implementation process of the 5G network in the country. 

Yesterday, TM Telekom Malaysia Bhd issued a termination notice to DNB, effective immediately, pursuant to the terms of the SSA to subscribe to a 20% equity stake in DNB. 

This was after the longstop date to fulfil all conditions precedent under the SSA lapsed, it said in a filing with Bursa Malaysia yesterday. – Bernama, May 11, 2023.