Ports, railways and highways could be next in Malaysia’s 5G coverage push

Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil speaks at the launch of Penang Port’s private 5G network at North Butterworth Container Terminal in Penang on October 17, 2026. — Bernama pic

First Published: Saturday, 17 Oct 2026 3:30 PM MYT

BUTTERWORTH, Oct 17 — The Communications Ministry and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will study expanding telecommunications coverage targets, particularly for 5G, to include key economic areas such as ports, rail lines and highways.

Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said the current Coverage of Populated Area (CoPA) metric should be reviewed to account for connectivity needs in areas with few or no residents but significant economic activity.

“CoPA is frequently used by telecommunications companies and international bodies to refer to connectivity in populated areas. However, when we talk about 5G access, areas such as ports have no residents but are hubs for significant economic activities,” he said.

He said Malaysia would also raise the issue at international forums, including an International Telecommunication Union (ITU) meeting in Doha in November, to discuss extending 5G and future technologies beyond populated areas to economic hubs.

Fahmi was speaking to reporters after launching the Penang Port Private 5G initiative at the North Butterworth Container Terminal (NBCT) today, making Penang Port the first port in Malaysia to adopt a private 5G network through a collaboration between Altel Communications Sdn Bhd (Altel) and Penang Port.

Also present were Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Jagdeep Singh Deo, Communications Ministry deputy secretary-general for telecommunications infrastructure V. Mano and MCMC managing director Abdul Karim Fakir Ali.

Fahmi said reliable connectivity was essential for industrial operations and that telecommunications infrastructure should not be concentrated solely in populated areas.

Private 5G networks could also be expanded to manufacturing and logistics, particularly for multinational companies (MNCs) operating in Malaysia, he added.

He said the technology offered dedicated connectivity and could support more devices simultaneously, including machinery and equipment requiring high precision.

Fahmi, who is also the Madani government spokesman, said his ministry would prepare a Cabinet memorandum on the proposal and work with the Ministry of Transport (MOT) to extend coverage, including through 5G deployment at other ports.

He cited previous cooperation between the two ministries to address internet connectivity gaps along major rail routes, including sections managed by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB).

“Based on our previous cooperation with MOT, I believe we can expand these efforts, including by leveraging 5G technology, regardless of who provides the service, for deployment at ports,” he said.

Fahmi said private 5G networks differed from conventional networks by providing dedicated communication channels for critical industrial operations, without requiring users to share network capacity with others.

He said the technology should also be adopted more widely by private-sector operators, including manufacturers and oil palm plantation companies, to improve operational efficiency and safety. — Bernama