BUDGET 2023: YTL COMMUNICATIONS CALLS FOR MORE 5G-RELATED INCENTIVES TO ACCELERATE USAGE

By Anas Abu Hassan

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 21 (Bernama) --  YTL Communications Sdn Bhd (YES) has called on the government to consider introducing more 5G-related incentives under Budget 2023 to further accelerate the use of the 5G network in the country.

YES chief executive officer Wing K Lee said a targeted tax rebate for consumers could drive 5G device ownership, prompting wider usage, while offering incentives to businesses for the usage of 5G could enhance the digitalisation of the economy.

In addition, to fully leverage the advantages of the 5G network, Lee suggested that government agencies and entities should also be given allocations or funds for the adoption of 5G.

"From 30 per cent population coverage today, we expect 5G coverage to reach 40 per cent by the end of 2022, and to grow broadly in 2023 towards achieving the target at 80 per cent by 2024.

"Based on this trajectory, we are confident that mainstream adoption of 5G will take shape starting in 2023, and for 5G to be used across all economic sectors," he told Bernama here.

Lee reckons that the 5G network will create a platform for sustainable development.

"We are excited to lead the way to be the first to launch 5G in Malaysia and committed to delivering our vision of 5G to enable a digital economy for all," he said.

Lee's views were also echoed by GlobalData principal analyst Alfie Amir, who emphasised that Budget 2023 should focus on accelerating 5G deployment to drive the country’s economy by enabling new applications to both consumers and enterprises.

He said this could pave the way for mixed reality, robots, and autonomous vehicles as well as attract global technology companies to invest in the country and collaborate with local players.

"Moreover, the technology can also help the government bridge the digital divide through fixed-wireless-access services in underserved areas," he said.

Amir noted that GlobalData’s Malaysia Telecom Forecast estimated that 5G adoption will account for 6 per cent of the total mobile subscriptions by the end of 2023.

"5G will drive telcos’ service innovations and enable various new applications for both the consumer and enterprise segments," he added.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa had said earlier this month that the government will ensure that the implementation of 5G mobile network services goes according to plan.

Four mobile network operators (MNOs), namely YES, Celcom Axiata Bhd, Digi.com Bhd, and Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) have agreed to subscribe to Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) shares for the implementation of 5G in Malaysia.

-- BERNAMA