CelcomDigi, Maxis and YTL Power International have injected an additional MYR350 million (US$82.8 million) into 5G wholesale network Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) to support its operations as it braces for the arrival of the second 5G network being deployed by U Mobile.
According to filings submitted by CelcomDigi and Maxis to Bursa Malaysia on Friday, all three operators will invest an additional MYR116.67 each into DNB on top of the initial MYR233.33 million they invested as part of their share subscription agreements (SSAs) finalised in June 2024 to acquire stakes in the operator.
The additional funds bring the total investment in DNB by all three operators to roughly MYR350 million each, or a little over MYR1 billion in total.
CelcomDigi and Maxis said the additional investment – which is intended to “meet the working capital requirements” and “facilitate the 5G operation and assist the financial affairs of DNB” – will not impact their own financial results.
However, the CelcomDigi filing included a risk warning that the rollout of U Mobile’s 5G network “could create pressure on DNB revenues if DNB’s access seekers choose to move to the Second 5G Network.”
CelcomDigi also warned that DNB is likely to need further funding in the future to stay viable as a 5G competitor as demand for 5G increases.
The CelcomDigi filing also said DNB has established a steering committee that will report to all shareholders regularly “to ensure that all funds of DNB are being judiciously managed”.
CelcomDigi, Maxis and YTL Power each hold 19.44% in DNB, while the Minister of Finance (MOF) owns the remaining 41.67% stake.
U Mobile – which won the rights to implement Malaysia’s second 5G network in November 2024 – exited DNB in May 2025 after selling its 16.28% stake to CelcomDigi, Maxis, YTL Power and MoF for MYR100,000 in total.
According to filings from CelcomDigi and Maxis regarding that transaction, the MOF plans to sell its sell its shares in DNB to all three telco stakeholders within one month after November 12, 2025, unless everyone agrees on a different date.
