IN the midst of our struggles during Covid-19, in the heat of the lockdown, the inequalities in technological access amongst Malaysians became more apparent. We heard stories of how students didn’t have wifi to attend school classes, or do assignments. We featured heartbreaking efforts by parents to provide data for their kids whilst using the same network to work from home. It wasn’t enough that single parents had to juggle taking care of their kids at home whilst working multiple jobs.
Malaysia is at a crossroads; the technology revolution that is 5G is uniquely positioned to broaden digital access through cloud-based storage solutions, potentially lowering the cost of devices and networks. In this new chapter, just a little data can go a long way. Parents that previously could only afford the minimum plan can now use that threshold to work from home, give access to their kids to attend online class, and more. Something as simple as having your kids spend an hour or two playing video games, thereby giving parents time to themselves can have significant benefits for society; extra incomes could be acquired in that free time, errands can be run, volunteering can be a viable option. The introduction of 5G in Malaysia is essentially one of the biggest opportunities for the government to provide paralleled financial assistance to all; equalled only to a universal basic income plan.
So a lot is at stake.
The government seems to understand this too. In a joint press conference between the Finance Minister and Communications and Multimedia Minister (a sign that this agenda is priority), it’s clear that the previously criticised Single Wholesale Network (SWN) to rollout 5G—feared for being a government monopoly that would deter innovation or competition— has reached its peak middle ground.
Consensus is the name of the game; and the ministries involved have played it well.
In the newly announced set-up, the government will maintain the supply-driven, cost recovery method through SWN. Yet 70% of the equity holding within Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) will be offered to telecommunications companies with the remaining 30% remaining under the Malaysian government. Already, we are seeing the fruits of this set-up, with both ministers insisting that the promised wholesale 5G data pricing will remain at less than 20 cents per GB. With this, competition and innovation is introduced, and yet profiteering will be safely guarded against by the government.
This consensus will go a long way for the government. It sends a strong credible message to all investors, both domestic and international that Malaysia will honour its decision in any public-private partnership model. Moreover, it symbolises the government’s stand in providing robust private sector financing. In times of uncertainty in Europe, in times where many of our ASEAN neighbours are in economic and social transition; Malaysia’s policy and economic governance stability, even in midst of multiple changes of government, will go a long way.
It was barely 15 years ago that internet access was seen as a ‘bonus’ in your household. Heads of families and even companies still regarded it as a ‘nice to have.’ Only the more well-to-do income brackets had wifi in their homes. Today, even your local mamak would have wifi. Covid-19 and the lockdown has streamlined this demand beyond ways we could imagine. With many of us stuck at home, access too fast and reliable internet became the determinant for performance in schools and delivery at workplaces. In many circumstances, with doctors providing online health-consultations, having speedy connection determined life-threatening decisions.
Yet whilst we recover from one life-time event of lockdowns and a pandemic, we must prepare for the more prominent iceberg to hit our titanic; climate change. As the past flooding in KL and across the country have shown; the situation is getting worse. Our mitigation efforts against rising sea-waters and compounding heatwaves are seemingly not enough. More and more, climate change will put extreme weather events on our doorstep, again displacing us from work and again placing our livelihoods on the network we use to connect to work, school and family.
So whilst many may not see the long term impact that the government’s decision on 5G will have, economic and social analysts do. It takes no rocket scientist to realise why the government’s emphasis on providing reliable, yet competitive, and cheap networks to all is the great equaliser. That regardless of where you live in Malaysia; whether it be the edge of Perlis or the hills of Sabah, our country becomes smaller and more connected is a prominent step forward in ensuring that we all benefit from the innovations and fruits of new tech.
It’s not a matter of ‘nice to have,’ it’s now a matter of ‘need to have’ for work and education, for our working adults and studying students. The government’s decision is the first step in outlining their care for Malaysian’s future.
* Rahman Hussin interests is in public affairs, politics, tech and stakeholder managements. He runs his own firm that serves a wide range of clients focusing on strategy and government affairs.
** The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of Astro AWANI.
Rahman Hussin
Thu Apr 14 2022
![Can 5G protect us against the effects of climate change? Can 5G protect us against the effects of climate change?](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-04/61649948912_Pameran.jpg)
The governments decision is the first step in outlining their care for Malaysians future. - Photo/ Bernama
![Wanita dihempap kayu balak mula sedarkan diri Wanita dihempap kayu balak mula sedarkan diri](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61720789446_Wanitadihempapkay.jpg)
Wanita dihempap kayu balak mula sedarkan diri
Wanita yang nyaris maut akibat dihempap kayu balak dalam kejadian di lampu isyarat di Persimpangan Bendahara, Jalan Gua Musang-Kuala Krai di sini 9 Julai lepas, kini dilaporkan mula sedarkan diri.
Sah suspek anggota polis
Ketua Polis Selangor, Datuk Hussein Omar Khan mengesahkan suspek bunuh Nur Farah Kartini, ialah anggota polis.
Suspek juga yang dipercayai teman lelaki mangsa dan bertugas di Perak.
Suspek juga yang dipercayai teman lelaki mangsa dan bertugas di Perak.
Suspek dibawa ke lokasi kejadian di ladang kelapa sawit
Suspek kes pembunuhan bekas penuntut UPSI Nur Farah Kartini Abdullah dibawa ke lokasi kejadian di ladang kelapa sawit di Kampung Sri Keledang, Hulu Bernam, Selangor.
![Ringgit susut berbanding dolar US pada penutup Ringgit susut berbanding dolar US pada penutup](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/41713876066_TBringgitmalaysia.jpg)
Ringgit susut berbanding dolar US pada penutup
Pada 6 petang, ringgit susut lagi kepada 4.6745/6790 berbanding dolar AS daripada 4.6725/6745 semasa ditutup semalam.
Pangkat atau jawatan tidak penting
Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) tidak akan melindungi anggotanya yang ditahan bagi membantu siasatan berhubung kes bunuh bekas penuntut Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), Nur Farah Kartini Abdullah.
Ketua Polis Negara, Tan Sri Razarudin Husain berkata, PDRM akan menjalankan siasatan berkaitan kes itu dengan telus dan adil.
Ketua Polis Negara, Tan Sri Razarudin Husain berkata, PDRM akan menjalankan siasatan berkaitan kes itu dengan telus dan adil.
Pemilik sebuah rumah kebajikan didenda RM100
Individu didakwa di dua mahkamah Kuala Lumpur berkait kematian seorang pempengaruh TikTok dikenali Rajeswary atau Esha yang ditemukan meninggal dunia dipercayai menjadi mangsa buli siber, 5 Julai lalu.
TERKINI] Timbalan Ketua Polis Perak dilantik Ketua Polis Perak baharu
Timbalan Ketua Polis Perak, Datuk Azizi Mat Aris dilantik sebagai Ketua Polis Perak yang baharu bermula hari ini.
Azizi, 59 tahun, menggantikan Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri yang dilantik sebagai Pengarah Jabatan Siasatan dan Penguatkuasaan Trafik (JSPT) Bukit Aman berkuat kuasa pada Isnin.
Azizi, 59 tahun, menggantikan Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri yang dilantik sebagai Pengarah Jabatan Siasatan dan Penguatkuasaan Trafik (JSPT) Bukit Aman berkuat kuasa pada Isnin.
![Bursa Malaysia ditutup rendah susulan aktiviti pengambilan untung Bursa Malaysia ditutup rendah susulan aktiviti pengambilan untung](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/61714480297_tbbursamalaysialog.jpg)
Bursa Malaysia ditutup rendah susulan aktiviti pengambilan untung
Pada 5 petang, Indeks FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) susut 3.86 mata atau 0.24 peratus kepada 1,625.96 daripada paras penutup 1,629.82. pada Isnin.
![[TERKINI] Astro penyiar rasmi Sukan Olimpik Paris 2024 [TERKINI] Astro penyiar rasmi Sukan Olimpik Paris 2024](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-08/51692062485_TBAstro.jpg)
[TERKINI] Astro penyiar rasmi Sukan Olimpik Paris 2024
Astro dipilih sebagai penyiar rasmi bagi Sukan Olimpik Paris 2024 bermula hujung bulan ini.
AWANI Borneo [16/07/2024] – SUKMA 2024 | Sentiasa berwaspada | Pintu sempadan
AWANI Borneo Selasa, 16 Julai 2024 bersama Fauzi Zin.
- SUKMA 2024 : Nasib acara takraw wanita diketahui Khamis ini.
- Ribut petir diramal di Sabah, Bomba saran penduduk berhati-hati.
- Urusan imigresen di sempadan, Malaysia-Brunei adakan rundingan.
- SUKMA 2024 : Nasib acara takraw wanita diketahui Khamis ini.
- Ribut petir diramal di Sabah, Bomba saran penduduk berhati-hati.
- Urusan imigresen di sempadan, Malaysia-Brunei adakan rundingan.
![Kolaborasi DNB-Shopee promosi manfaat 5G, digitalisasi dalam sektor PMKS Kolaborasi DNB-Shopee promosi manfaat 5G, digitalisasi dalam sektor PMKS](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/41714047834_GobindSinghDeo.jpg)
Kolaborasi DNB-Shopee promosi manfaat 5G, digitalisasi dalam sektor PMKS
Perusahaan runcit negara perlu berdaya saing dengan memanfaatkan kelebihan 5G dan digitalisasi.
![Malaysia sasar tampil sekurang-kurangnya 40 kes penggunaan rangkaian persendirian 5G Malaysia sasar tampil sekurang-kurangnya 40 kes penggunaan rangkaian persendirian 5G](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-04/51681888525_malaysia.jpg)
Malaysia sasar tampil sekurang-kurangnya 40 kes penggunaan rangkaian persendirian 5G
Perkembangan rangkaian 5G Malaysia cukup pantas, mencapai sehingga lebih 80 peratus liputan kawasan berpenduduk dalam tempoh dua tahun.
![Capaian liputan 5G di Malaysia cecah 85 peratus Capaian liputan 5G di Malaysia cecah 85 peratus](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/61716638055_HilmiAbdullah.jpg)
Capaian liputan 5G di Malaysia cecah 85 peratus
Capaian rangkaian 5G di Malaysia kini mencecah 85 peratus dalam usaha melonjakkan kemajuan negara bagi aspek pendigitalan, kata Ketua Setiausaha Kementerian Digital Datuk Rodzi Md Saad.
![Tiada lagi panjat pokok, kerajaan akan pastikan liputan internet cukup - Ahmad Zahid Tiada lagi panjat pokok, kerajaan akan pastikan liputan internet cukup - Ahmad Zahid](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/71715843032_ZahidHamidi.jpg)
Tiada lagi panjat pokok, kerajaan akan pastikan liputan internet cukup - Ahmad Zahid
Kerajaan akan memastikan kawasan berkepadatan rendah, desa dan pedalaman disediakan liputan Internet yang secukupnya untuk memudahkan pelajar mengikuti pembelajaran secara dalam talian.
![Kadar penerimagunaan 5G hampir 36 peratus, liputan 80.3 peratus - Fahmi Kadar penerimagunaan 5G hampir 36 peratus, liputan 80.3 peratus - Fahmi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/71714118635_FahmiFadzil.jpg)
Kadar penerimagunaan 5G hampir 36 peratus, liputan 80.3 peratus - Fahmi
Kadar penerimagunaan 5G di negara ini telah mencecah hampir 36 peratus setakat pertengahan bulan ini, manakala kadar liputan perkhidmatan itu telah mencapai 80.3 peratus pada Februari lepas.
![Ahli lembaga pengarah, hala tuju DNB diumum esok - Fahmi Ahli lembaga pengarah, hala tuju DNB diumum esok - Fahmi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/71713949650_FahmiFadzil.jpg)
Ahli lembaga pengarah, hala tuju DNB diumum esok - Fahmi
Fahmi menjelaskan dalam mesyuarat Kabinet pada Rabu, Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim telah memberi penegasan mengenai pelaksanaan rangkaian 5G dan perkara-perkara yang dipersetujui.
![Malaysia boleh raih manfaat daripada pengalaman 5G Telenor di sektor maritim - Fahmi Malaysia boleh raih manfaat daripada pengalaman 5G Telenor di sektor maritim - Fahmi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-02/61708872938_TBFahmi.jpg)
Malaysia boleh raih manfaat daripada pengalaman 5G Telenor di sektor maritim - Fahmi
Menurut Fahmi, terdapat beberapa aplikasi praktikal penggunaan rangkaian persendirian 5G terutamanya melibatkan operasi kapal autonomi.
![Benarkah 5G ada ancaman radiasi untuk kesihatan manusia? Benarkah 5G ada ancaman radiasi untuk kesihatan manusia?](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-10/71697199198_GENERIC.jpg)
Benarkah 5G ada ancaman radiasi untuk kesihatan manusia?
Selain sambungan lebih laju, ia juga membuka penggunaan baharu dalam IoT kerana jalur lebar yang tinggi dan kadar lengahan yang rendah.
![Gamuda Land, Digital Nasional Bhd bekerjasama dorong Pelan Bandar Pintar Gamuda Land, Digital Nasional Bhd bekerjasama dorong Pelan Bandar Pintar](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-02/71707268276_TBgamudalandjpg.jpg)
Gamuda Land, Digital Nasional Bhd bekerjasama dorong Pelan Bandar Pintar
MoU berkenaan memastikan penduduk, orang awam dan perusahaan dalam projek Gamuda Land meraih manfaat daripada kesalinghubungan terkini 5G.
![Tiada bayaran tambahan untuk dapat akses 5G - Fahmi Tiada bayaran tambahan untuk dapat akses 5G - Fahmi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-01/71704798769_TBFAHMIFADZILjp.jpg)
Tiada bayaran tambahan untuk dapat akses 5G - Fahmi
Tiada bayaran tambahan akan dikenakan oleh syarikat telekomunikasi kepada pengguna untuk mendapatkan akses rangkaian 5G, kata Menteri Komunikasi Fahmi Fadzil.