Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) is increasing the capacity of Malaysia’s 5G network as it activates additional spectrum and expands infrastructure upgrades to support rising demand, the state-backed operator said on Tuesday.
DNB said in a statement that it is currently activating its newly allocated 3.3–3.4 GHz spectrum (F-Zero).
Combined with its existing 3.4–3.5 GHz spectrum, this brings DNB’s total contiguous mid-band spectrum to 200 MHz — the largest in Malaysia.
This expanded spectrum effectively doubles network capacity, improving efficiency and delivering a superior user experience, particularly in high-demand areas.
Importantly, the enhanced capacity positions DNB and its Access Seekers to power the next wave of enterprise digitalization — including advanced applications in artificial intelligence (AI), automation, industrial IoT, and mission-critical services — enabling businesses in Malaysia to scale innovation with confidence on a robust, high-performing 5G platform.
To date, more than 50 sites have been upgraded, with additional sites planned for activation.
These upgrades will further strengthen performance in high-traffic locations while supporting more advanced, data-intensive use cases.
According to the statement, Malaysia’s mobile data consumption continues to grow rapidly, with average monthly usage rising from approximately 19GB during the COVID-19 period to about 40GB per user per month today.
Thus, DNB’s nationwide 5G network has played a critical role in accelerating this growth, driving widespread 5G adoption and enabling richer digital experiences.
It is also noted that currently, Malaysia’s 5G adoption rate has reached over 88 percent or more than 30.3 million 5G subscriptions, reflecting strong consumer and industry uptake. DNB has been instrumental in this progress, delivering world-class 5G connectivity at one of the lowest wholesale costs per GB in the world.
With its expanded spectrum holdings and continued network enhancements, DNB said it is now well-positioned to support the next phase of growth — particularly the scaling of enterprise use cases and AI-driven applications across industries.
It said the firm continues to invest in advanced capabilities, including 5G-Advanced evolution and AI-driven autonomous network management, to ensure optimal performance, efficiency, and reliability, while earning global recognition and multiple awards along the way.
At the same time, the company said it remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of network security, resilience, and integrity.
Working closely with its shareholders and partners, DNB said it is also expanding its efforts to broaden 5G coverage nationwide, supporting the Government’s broader ambition to build a fully connected and digitally empowered Malaysia.
DNB also said it carries the vast majority of Malaysia’s 5G mobile traffic, with CelcomDigi, Maxis and YTL Communications as shareholders serving a combined 30 million user base, reflecting strong industry support and sustained confidence in the shared infrastructure model.
Collectively, DNB’s shareholders have committed over MYR 2 billion ($490 million) in investments to date.
This collaborative approach enables the industry to optimize resources, improve efficiency, and leverage shared strengths to deliver greater value and enhanced experiences for consumers and businesses nationwide.
In line with the Government’s transition to separate networks in a 5G Dual Network (DN) model, DNB has also confirmed that U Mobile has offboarded from DNB’s 5G network, effective June 30, 2026.
This development reflects the evolution of Malaysia’s 5G landscape and supports national policy aimed at fostering a resilient, competitive, and future-ready digital ecosystem.
DNB said its network operations, coverage commitments, and ongoing service delivery continue uninterrupted and are not impacted by the transition.
It said the firm remains focused on delivering a high performance national 5G network in close collaboration with its shareholders and industry partners.
Moving forward, DNB said it will focus on strengthening network performance, scaling enterprise capabilities, and enabling the next wave of digital innovation in Malaysia.
“We are entering a new phase for DNB — one defined by stronger capacity, deeper collaboration, and sharper execution,” said Azman Ismail, Chief Executive Officer of DNB.
“With rising demand and new digital opportunities ahead — particularly in AI and enterprise digitalization — we are committed to delivering a network that not only meets today’s needs, but powers Malaysia’s digital future,” he added.
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