On Monday, 17 February 2025, His Excellency Ambassador Dato' Azhar Mazlan attended the opening ceremony of 5G and Beyond: Shaping the Future of Connectivity Masterclass at Mövenpick Hotel, Centaurus, Islamabad.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) in collaboration with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), was organized as part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed during the official visit of the Prime Minister of Malaysia in October 2024. Dr. Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Also in attendance was a high-level delegation led by His Excellency Tan Sri Mohammad Salim Bin Fateh Din, Executive Chairman of MCMC, along with 60 industry leaders, policymakers, and academics.
While addressing the event, Dr. Ahsan Iqbal stated that the future of connectivity lies not only in the successful deployment of 5G but also in our ability to leverage its potential for economic and social transformation. He extended his gratitude to PTA and MCMC for organizing this vital platform and for their continued partnership. The Minister remarked that Pakistan has much to learn from Malaysia’s experience with Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), the state-run entity that spearheaded the country’s single wholesale 5G network model. He elaborated that by ensuring infrastructure sharing among telecom operators, Malaysia has achieved 80% 5G population coverage in just three years—a feat that offers valuable insights for Pakistan’s 5G rollout. The Minister emphasized that this partnership marks a major milestone in strengthening the ties between the two countries, particularly in the fields of telecommunications, digital innovation, and connectivity.
His Excellency Dato’ Mohammad Azhar Mazlan also addressed the gathering, emphasizing Malaysia-Pakistan digital cooperation. He commended the collaboration between PTA and MCMC and described the Masterclass as a crucial initiative in shaping the future of connectivity. He highlighted that Malaysia has been actively working on 5G deployment since December 2021, adopting a single wholesale network model, which is now transitioning into a dual network model. The USD3.7 billion investment in Malaysia’s 5G rollout has led to over 80% coverage of populated areas, with more than 7,000 operational sites.
Ambassador Dato' Azhar Mazlan also showcased Malaysia’s Pelan Jalinan Digital Negara (JENDELA), a five-year plan (2021-2025) aimed at expanding fiber connectivity, improving broadband speeds, and ensuring 100% internet coverage in populated areas. He further highlighted EDOTCO, a Malaysian-based company managing over 2,000 telecom towers in Pakistan, and expressed confidence in its role in accelerating Pakistan’s 5G deployment, scheduled for July 2025.
