CYBERJAYA: A pioneer test of 5G technology services and facilities will be conducted in Cyberjaya and Putrajaya beginning April, said Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo.
During the test period, telecommunications companies and other industry players will carry out their respective 5G technology tests assisted by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Services (MCMC).
“Malaysia will certainly become the focus of the world (eager) to see how we create two areas activated via 5G technology.
“This initiative or test is important for us to determine subsequent measures (for) 5G technology usage in the future,” he told reporters after launching the Cyberjaya Infra Conference and Exhibition here, today.
The 5G or fifth generation mobile network is a new technology that is 100 times faster than 4G technology, which was introduced in 2009.
Gobind said although no specific period has been fixed for the implementation of the test, all involved are hoping that a new indicator could be achieved within six months.
On fears that 5G infrastructure could make individuals, corporations and societies vulnerable to cyber spying and leakages, Gobind said that security has been the government’s priority in all decisions made on new technology infrastructure development.
He said the government cannot ignore the fact that the world is moving towards 5G technology, which offers a wider option of services.
“We want to provide infrastructure that is accessible, of high quality, with reasonable cost. But at the same time, we also want to provide infrastructure that is secure.
“Security (is our top) consideration and this is why MCMC is in the process of studying 5G infrastructure,” he said, referring to research being conducted by the agency on 5G infrastructure development by Chinese telecommunications giant, Huawei.
The detailed study by MCMC, through a collaboration with the National Agency for Cyber Security (NACSA), is also taking into consideration the assessments of other countries on the safety of the 5G network.