Digital Nasional Berhad

Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) is a Malaysian special-purpose company, wholly owned by the Minister of Finance (Incorporated), established in March 2021 to deploy Malaysia's nationwide 5G network as a single wholesale network (SWN).^[1][2] Under this model, DNB builds, owns, and operates one common 5G network to which all licensed mobile operators can seek equal access on a wholesale basis, avoiding the duplication of infrastructure.^[1]

History and Background

DNB was created by the Malaysian government following the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission's (MCMC) 2019 public inquiry on spectrum allocation, which proposed a single-entity deployment model to lower capital expenditure and avoid infrastructure duplication while 4G expansion was still underway under the Jalinan Digital Negara (JENDELA) initiative.^[1] The company is licensed under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 to provide wholesale 5G coverage and capacity to other licensees.^[1]

The government appointed Ericsson as the sole network equipment provider for the rollout, and 5G services commenced in December 2021 in parts of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Cyberjaya.^[3] The rollout targeted approximately 40% coverage of populated areas by the end of 2022 and 80% by 2024.^[3][4] In December 2022, the government of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced a review of the SWN model, and in September 2023 the government said it would allow a second 5G network, shifting toward a dual-network arrangement to reduce DNB's monopoly.^[2] All major mobile network operators were subsequently allowed to take equity stakes in the company.^[2]

Key Concepts

The single wholesale network concept centralises radio access infrastructure in a neutral wholesale operator while mobile network operators (MNOs) compete at the retail level. DNB's network uses Ericsson's 5G Radio System products, a cloud-native 5G Core, and Multi-Operator Core Network technology, which allows a shared radio access network to serve multiple operators while each keeps its own core network for differentiation.^[3]

DNB's network operations are notable for their use of artificial intelligence: Ericsson's Operations Engine manages the network with AI, automation, and cognitive software to predict and prevent issues before they occur.^[3] In October 2025, DNB and Ericsson announced the world's first validation of Level 4 autonomy for 5G service assurance under the TM Forum's ANLAV program, with AI-powered intent-based operations managing conflicting intents, simulating solutions using digital twins, and executing actions on the live 5G-Advanced network.^[5]

Applications and Impact

DNB's 5G network underpins Malaysia's digital economy ambitions. The company reported more than 80% coverage of populated areas by 2025, and Ericsson estimates the network could contribute RM150 billion in GDP impact and support 750,000 high-skilled jobs by 2030.^[4][5] In March 2025, DNB and Ericsson signed a memorandum of understanding to expand 5G and 5G-Advanced coverage and accelerate enterprise digitalisation across manufacturing, healthcare, and agriculture.^[4]

The network is also strategically relevant to AI infrastructure: reliable, low-latency 5G connectivity is a foundation for edge AI, the Internet of Things, and the data-centre ecosystem that has made Malaysia a leading destination for AI investment in Southeast Asia.

>See Also

• AI Data Centres Malaysia
• Cyberjaya
• TechCity KL
• YTL AI Cloud
• MyDigital Blueprint

References