Malaysia’s early decision to roll out 5G through a shared national network set it apart from most regional markets. Under the Multi-Operator Core Network (MOCN) model, several mobile operators deliver 5G services on a single network run by Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB). The approach helped the country move quickly, delivering wide coverage and strong early speeds.
New analysis from Ookla looks at how that model is performing today, as Malaysia prepares to shift toward a Dual Network (DN) structure. The report examines changes in network performance, device adoption, and real-world usage as 5G moves from early rollout to broader use.
Malaysia’s 5G performance slipped between Q4 2023 and Q3 2025, diverging from trends seen in several neighbouring countries. The drop follows a period of strong early results. In Q3 2023, Malaysia ranked third globally for median 5G download speed.
By Q4 2023, median 5G download speed stood at 451.79 Mbps. By Q3 2025, that figure had fallen to 242.92 Mbps. Upload speeds declined over the same period, dropping from 49.87 Mbps to 29.52 Mbps.
Until early 2025, Malaysia relied on DNB’s single wholesale 5G network to serve all operators. The model helped speed up nationwide deployment and reduced duplicate infrastructure. The more recent slowdown appears linked to how the network is evolving. Early rollout focused on dense urban areas, where fewer users shared available capacity. As coverage expanded and more users joined the network, traffic increased across the system.
Growing use of data-heavy services, including video streaming and connected devices, has added further strain. With all operators sharing the same radio network, sudden rises in demand affect the entire system at once. Without additional spectrum, this can limit speeds and consistency as usage grows.
Markets that operate separate 5G networks may be better placed to manage traffic spikes through divided spectrum and independent capacity planning. South Korea, which has run multiple 5G networks for years, continued to report median download speeds above 528 Mbps, reaching 564.14 Mbps in Q3 2025. Singapore showed steadier performance, with speeds at 349.19 Mbps.
Vietnam and Brunei recorded notable gains. Vietnam reached a median 5G download speed of 350.28 Mbps in Q3 2025, while Brunei also trended upward despite some variation. Both remain relatively new 5G markets, where lower subscriber density can support stronger early performance.
Even with the decline, Malaysia’s 5G speeds remain competitive in the region. In Q3 2025, the country outperformed the Philippines (120.16 Mbps), Japan (124.11 Mbps), and Thailand (169.35 Mbps). Thailand’s reliance on lower-band spectrum limits peak speeds compared with markets using more mid-band capacity.
Device data points to rapid growth in 5G readiness. GSMA Intelligence estimates that 5G now accounts for close to 40% of consumer mobile connections in Malaysia, with 4G making up most of the rest.
Speedtest data shows a clear rise in the share of tests conducted on 5G-capable devices between Q4 2023 and Q3 2025. In Q3 2025, 79.5% of all tests were run on devices that support 5G. Of those, 55.0% were connected to a 5G network, while 24.5% were using non-5G connections.
That compares with Q4 2023, when 5G-capable devices accounted for 58.6% of tests, and just 35.4% were actively connected to 5G. The shift suggests wider access to compatible devices and broader 5G service availability across operators.
Despite higher device adoption, most users with 5G-capable phones still spend the majority of their connected time on 4G. In Q3 2025, these devices spent 65.8% of their time on 4G, compared with 29.8% on 5G.
Indoor coverage remains a key factor. A large share of mobile use happens inside buildings, where higher-frequency 5G signals struggle to penetrate walls and other structures. DNB has worked to address this by installing 5G in-building systems at high-traffic locations. As of January 2025, these systems were live at 73 sites, including airports, hospitals, and transport hubs.
Coverage gaps outside major cities also play a role. While DNB reported coverage of populated areas at around 82.4%, 5G availability remains uneven in rural states. Earlier analysis showed that deployments often focus on state capitals and large towns, leaving surrounding areas dependent on 4G. Devices moving through these regions frequently switch back to older networks, increasing overall time spent on 4G.
Malaysia is now moving away from its single-network model. The government tied the transition to the achievement of 80% coverage of populated areas, a milestone reached by DNB at the end of 2023.
In November 2024, U Mobile was selected to build and operate a second national 5G network. The company began rolling out 5G standalone services in stages in March 2025. It plans to reach 80% coverage of populated areas within its first year and 95% by year three.
DNB will continue operating its network alongside the new rollout. Running two national 5G networks raises several challenges, including spectrum division, the financial position of DNB, and the coordination of parallel infrastructure.
Under the new structure, DNB retained its original spectrum allocation across the 700 MHz, 3.5 GHz, and 28 GHz bands. U Mobile received separate spectrum blocks in the 700 MHz and 3.5 GHz bands for its rollout.
To understand how this affects users, Ookla carried out controlled drive testing in October 2025 using its Speedtest Drive methodology. Tests were conducted across five Klang Valley locations: Bukit Bintang, Bukit Jalil, Sunway Damansara, Tasik Batu, and Setia Alam. The testing used recent 5G-capable devices with SIM cards from five major operators.
Yes and U Mobile both support 5G standalone services. Yes delivers these services through the DNB network while operating its own 5G core. U Mobile uses DNB’s network for baseline coverage as it expands its own standalone network.
Using Yes as a proxy for DNB’s coverage, the results show that DNB’s mid-band 3.5 GHz spectrum remains the main source of 5G availability. Across all test routes, U Mobile SIMs connected to DNB-managed spectrum for 83.2% of samples. The 3.5 GHz band alone accounted for 67.9%.
By comparison, U Mobile SIMs connected to U Mobile’s own network for 16.8% of samples, even as deployment continues. Yes SIMs connected to DNB’s 3.5 GHz band for 77.9% of samples.
The data suggests that, for now, DNB’s network continues to provide the primary 5G coverage layer, even as Malaysia moves toward a more competitive, dual-network market.
Source: https://techwireasia.com/2025/12/malaysia-prepares-for-a-dual-5g-network-as-the-5g-market-evolves/
