Malaysia now ranks number one globally for 5G consistency score, says Fahmi

BARCELONA, Feb 27 — Malaysia now ranks number one globally for 5G Consistency Score at 97.29 per cent according to Ookla, a global leader in network intelligence and connectivity insights.

Announcing this achievement at the opening of the Malaysian Pavilion at the Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2024 (MWC2024), Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, said this was a moment of triumph that reaffirmed Malaysia’s position as a leading player in the global digital landscape.

“This does not only prove Malaysia’s commitment to technological advancement, but also a reflection of the concerted efforts made by our telecommunications industry, regulatory bodies, and government agencies to build a robust and reliable 5G infrastructure,” he said in his keynote address when officiating the Malaysian Pavilion on Monday.

Consistency score is a Ookla specific methodology of measuring of speeds where it has to satisfy both criteria – download and upload – 25Mbps and 3Mbps respectively.

Being ranked number one in 5G Consistency Score was not just about boasting rights said Fahmi, but it was about unlocking the full potential of this game-changing technology to drive economic growth, enhance social welfare, and foster a more inclusive society. 

“With a robust 5G infrastructure in place, we are poised to accelerate innovation across various sectors, from healthcare and education to manufacturing and agriculture, unlocking new opportunities and empowering businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals alike,” he said.

He also noted the significance of this achievement could not be overstated, where in today’s hyper-connected world, seamless connectivity is the lifeblood of innovation and progress, making a reliable 5G network indispensable. 

“It serves as the backbone for transformative technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality (AR), and Virtual Reality (VR), paving the way for groundbreaking applications and services that will redefine the way we live, work, and interact,” said the minister.

Fahmi had also shared that as of the end of 2023, 8.4 million premises in Malaysia have been provided with access to fibre optics, with the average mobile broadband speed reaching an impressive 178.1 Mbps, while the internet coverage in populated areas has reached an outstanding 97.07 premises.