Malaysia to Use Wholesale, Shared Model for 5G Spectrum and Facilities

The Malaysian Institute of Economic Research predicts 5G could contribute up to RM12.7 billion between 2021 and 2025 to the nation’s economy, creating more than 39,000 new jobs.

Perhaps that is why Malaysia has decided to forego using 5G spectrum auctions to raise government revenue, and instead will government will forgo revenue from spectrum auctions and instead will allocate airwaves to a consortium of carriers--also using a network sharing model--at very low cost. 

The affordable spectrum policy might save mobile service providers at least 7 billion ringgit (US$1.7 billion) over the five years, some estimate. 

The wholesale approach will apply to 700 MHz and 3.5-GHz spectrum. Frequencies in the 25 GHz to 26 GHz range will be assigned, rather than auctioned. Spectrum in the 26 GHz to 28 GHz will be awarded on a first come, first served basis to licensees for local or private applications.