DNB collaborating with Ericsson on 5G Advanced roll out in Malaysia

Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) and Ericsson have formalised plans to collaborate on 5G Advanced, enabling DNB’s 5G network to be one of the top-performing networks in the world. The two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the collaboration at MWC 2024 in Barcelona, Spain.

For those who are unaware, 5G Advanced is the next stage to the current 5G connectivity technology, bringing enhancements to network performance, sustainability, and intelligence. It brings new features and AI-based capabilities to the 5G RAN, Core and operations domains.

DNB collaborating with Ericsson on 5G Advanced roll out in Malaysia

Nasution Mohamed, Chief Operating Officer of DNB said, ”DNB has successfully accelerated the 5G deployment to cover 80% coverage of populated areas by the end of 2023. We will continue to work with our strategic partner, Ericsson to upgrade DNB’s world-class 5G network with the latest technology as standardised by global standard 3GPP. This new “5G Advanced” technology will bring advanced radio security, superior user experience and enterprise capabilities, as well as empowering sustainability through enhanced energy management.”

The key areas covered in the collaboration include enhancing the 5G experience and accelerating digital services for consumers, government, and enterprise customers. This includes on-demand services and is done by introducing enhanced radio access network (RAN) functionalities along with AI intent-based operations. The exercise is set to build a high-performing network for DNB while at the same time optimising user and customer experience.

A deployed Ericsson 5G Antenna

Other areas that will be enhanced are network security and resiliency by using Advanced Threat Detection (ATD). This will provide the next level of cybersecurity, protection of user data, and privacy. Adopting ATD would be a logical extension to the current network setup as DNB’s network is the first 5G network in Malaysia running the Ericsson Security Manager (ESM) in Malaysia which provides security automation of the 5G RAN and Core Network.

David Hägerbro, Head of Ericsson Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh says, ”The next phase of 5G capabilities will allow businesses of all types to reap the benefits of enhanced mobility, flexibility, reliability, and security. Malaysia’s 5G network is among the Top 5 in the world and already leveraging the latest in 5G technology. It is ready for 5G Advanced and new use cases that emerge. Ericsson’s focus is on evolving and optimizing it as the enabler to make Malaysia a leading digital nation.”

For Malaysia, the 5G network which was deployed DNB has reportedly achieved over 80% 5G population coverage as of the end of 2023. After the recent reshuffle, DNB is now placed under the purview of the newly created Digital Ministry helmed by former Communications Minister, Minister Gobind Singh Deo.