PETRONAS has successfully adopted a 5G private network at its Regasification Terminal Sungai Udang (RGTSU) in Melaka. This makes it the first in Malaysia to adopt the 5G technology for enterprise use.
This deployment is also supported by the Ministry of Communications and Digital (KKD) and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). It is expected to optimise internal operations and pave the way for industry-wide change.
In order to commemorate the launch of the network, PETRONAS held an event which exhibited the aspirations under the Ekonomi MADANI and the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030) framework, which sets technology as the catalyst for a thriving and prosperous nation.
“As we embark on this transformative journey, it’s crucial to acknowledge the integral role cutting-edge technologies play, 5G’s fast connectivity, low latency, and capacity to handle massive data flows will empower our industries to innovate, compete and excel on a global scale,” said Deputy Prime Minister, Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah Haji Yusof.
5G subscriptions totalling 2.49 million users
MCMC is currently working closely with mobile service providers to deploy 5G standalone networks that will foster more use case development across industries in Malaysia. As of September 2023, Malaysia’s 5G network coverage in populated areas stands at 70.2 percent, with 5G subscriptions totalling 2.49 million, translating to 7.4 percent penetration rate.
The deployment of PETRONAS’ private networks paves the way for additional collaboration between the government, private sector, and academia to fully unlock the potential of 5G technology. Additionally, through Ekonomi MADANI and the NIMP 2030, there is an increased focus on developing local talent to ensure that the Malaysian workforce acquires the necessary skill and knowledge to drive digital growth.
“I applaud PETRONAS for their foresight and commitment to Malaysia’s progress. On this note, I want to commend KKD Minister Fahmi Fadzil, for his unwavering commitment and focus on steering the country’s 5G efforts,” added Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah
“Our strategic adoption of 5G technology sets us ahead in the energy industry. By combining 5G with Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and automation, we’re putting Open PETRONAS as among the leaders in the global technological race, while ensuring we meet the demands of supplying safe, reliable, cost-optimised and emission abated energy solutions for Malaysia and our customers globally,” said MCMC Senior Vice President Project Delivery & Technology, Datuk Bacho Pilong.
To date, Malaysia has received recognition from independent analytics companies Opensignal and Ookla on its efforts to become a global leader in 5G connectivity. Malaysia is also well on track in its target to achieve 80 per cent 5G network coverage in populated areas by the end of 2023.
