Malaysia identifies 66 5G use cases, keen on quick implementation

EVERYONE is excited about 5G. Although the low latency and high speeds are attractive, what businesses and regulators are most excited about are the new business opportunities 5G will create.

In Malaysia, the government is collaborating with industry participants to fast track the implementation of 5G.

According to a new press release by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), the National 5G Task Force which was mandated to study and recommend a holistic strategy for 5G deployment has carried out various activities including initiating the 5G test-beds which consist of 5G showcase and field trials.

Since its formation in November 2018, the activities of the Task Force — which comprises of academicians, manufacturers, telecommunications services providers, and ministerial and governmental agencies — have helped understand the technical capabilities and performance of the 5G technology.

At a review meeting held recently, MCMC said it received proposals from 11 companies verticals such as agriculture, education, entertainment, healthcare, manufacturing and process industries, oil and gas, smart city, transportation and tourism that are primed to benefit from 5G.

Further, it revealed that a total of 66 5G use cases have been identified by both government and private sectors, culminating in an estimated total industry investment of MYR50 million (US$12.1 million).

Given the opportunities that 5G offers to businesses, the regulatory body also decided to expand the 5G demonstrations beyond the original test-bed areas of Putrajaya and Cyberjaya, to including 5 other states: Selangor, Perak, Terengganu, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, and Kedah.

“Our vision to transform Malaysia into a digital nation requires greater coordination and synergy across ministries, state governments and industry, and support from all Malaysians,” highlighted Malaysian Minister of Communications and Multimedia Gobind Singh Deo.

Minister Deo also informed the media that the 5G Task Force will evolve into the 5G Implementation Task Force, upon submission of its final report in November this year.

5G is expected to help businesses, irrespective of their size, create new (revenue) opportunities for themselves and exciting experiences for customers.

According to Frost & Sullivan ICT Research Associate – Telecoms & Payments Strategy Sofea Zukarnain, businesses should also consider building a relationship with their local mobile operator.

“5G mobile operators will play an important role for businesses in the future to provide connectivity. Once businesses find a mobile operator that can support them, the business can start the collaborative process that is crucial to develop value-added 5G services,” Zukarnain told Tech Wire Asia recently.

Overall, the reality is that 5G is just around the corner and businesses that want to leverage its capabilities to delight customers need to plan now.

Governments in Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and even Australia are working on deploying 5G quickly — but it’s up to businesses to ultimately use it creatively in order to gain a competitive edge.

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