MCMC to prepare 5G testbed report by year-end

The Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will prepare its final report on 5G testbed and trials by the end of this year, said Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo.

Gobind said the outcome of the trials from April to October this year would be presented to the government, and that the initiative was to ensure that the country was ready for the implementation of the high-speed network and technology.

"The report will be released regarding the results of 5G testbedding, which includes strengths, weaknesses and suggestions on what the government should prepare to ensure our country is ready to step into the 5G era, especially with the emergence of Industrial Revolution 4.0.

"Although there isn’t a set date as to when 5G will be fully available across the country, we can safely say that we are heading in that direction," he told reporters after a site visit at the 5G Malaysia Showcase at Perbadanan Putrajaya today.

A testbed launch to showcase 5G will take place on April 18, and is scheduled to be officiated by the Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, while the showcase will be opened to the public on April 20 and 21 from 10 am to 6 pm. Admission is free. 

Earlier this month, two 5G networks were established in Putrajaya at four launching locations, while five networks will be set up for launch on April 18.

Meanwhile, MCMC chairperson Al-Ishsal Ishak (above) said the report, which will be prepared between November to December, was another progress for the country to be on par with global development as the World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC) 2019 would finalise certain standards on 5G by year-end.

He said the 5G Taskforce, which was established last year, currently has 108 members from various sectors within the industry including telcos, businesses, educational institutions, related government agencies, and infrastructure vendors.

"MCMC will do analogue-switch off at the third quarter, and six months later, we will clear the 700Mhz spectrum for public use. 

"So, when you look at the timing, we complete work this year (5G), and next year is the completion of the spectrum. 

"This is the reason why Malaysia started early (5G testbed) to be on par with other happenings and standard verifications around the world,” he said.

During the walkabout, Gobind tested an autonomous vehicle – a collaboration between Celcom, Ericsson and eMoovit Technology – which took him around the Kompleks Perbadanan Putrajaya vicinity.

Gobind also recorded a holographic message for the visitors, welcoming them to the showcase, and visited some of the vendors who are still setting up booths for the exhibition. 

- Bernama