A quick catchup with Datuk Mohd Rauf Nasir created an opportunity for EITN to get his thoughts about 5G events in Malaysia. The Nokia MD for Malaysia, Maldives and Sri Lanka.”Now, I think the focus for the government is for DNB to reach 80-percent of coverage of populated area.”
He added that once the incumbent reaches this targeted coverage, which is anticipated to be as early as January 2024, a second 5G network will be set up.
“So, to us it is very exciting,” Rauf said emphatically adding that Nokia will continue to focus and support their customers with their products and solutions “… in order for the government and communication service providers (CSP) and mobile network operators (MNO) to achieve (that coverage).”
When asked about the market opportunity because of an anticipated second 5G network, Rauf admitted that Nokia has a broad range of solutions provided, including radio access network equipment.
“Today if you look at our footprint, we have 303 5G commercial networks running on our mobile network equipment.
“So, we are a market leader, and we are very big in the mobile network business globally and across the region,” he also said.
5G as a foundation
Rauf had not much opinion to share about the taskforce, except to recognise its objective – to ensure that the rollout achieves 80-percent population coverage.
He also drew the conversation back to Nokia’s focus, which is to remain committed to supporting its customers, the government, and its partners.
“From a vendor’s perspective, I think it is the right thing do for the government to basically expand 5G to the whole nation.
“Because 5G is about innovation, and with good coverage we can start to focus on innovation use cases for the enterprise. A big promise of 5G in terms of features and functions and capability is to to help us move into Industry4.0. Automation and digitalisation is very important for us as a country to remain competitive.”
Rauf observed the local government as being very committed about readying a critical foundation to drive Industry4.0 and a digital economy. In fact, other countries in this region are heading towards the similar direction which is building up their mission-critical connectivity and infrastructure.
To date, all five telcos are on board with DNB for 5G access, with YB Fahmi saying that all telcos will be taking an equity stake in the 5G single wholesale network.
A big promise of 5G in terms of features and functions and capability is to to help us move into Industry4.0. Besides that, automation and digitalisation are very important for Malaysia as a country to remain competitive.
Besides radio access solutions that power 303 commercial 5G deployments, Nokia also has network infrastructure solutions. These consist of IP routers, optical networks, and also fixed networks. Their portfolio also includes cloud and network services, and Nokia partners with technology partners like Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise to innovate solutions, as well as go-to-market with.
