Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob (centre) launching a 5G pilot project and digital hub in Ketereh, Kelantan, today. With him is communications and multimedia minister Annuar Musa (left). (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA: The new generation 5G mobile technology was launched in Kelantan by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob today, with Ketereh being selected as the first rural pilot project for high-speed internet service.
Ismail also launched the Ketereh Digital Hub, which will help local entrepreneurs expand their markets throughout the country and the world through digital platforms, Bernama reported.
The digital hub will be equipped with 5G service, photography and video editing studios and facilities for live streaming, said Zulkarnain Mohd Yasin, chief regulatory officer of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.
He told reporters after the launch that the 5G service would offer internet speeds of up to 1,000 megabits per second compared to 35 Mbps for 4G technology.
“The 5G technology has the capability of internet speeds that are 10 to 100 times faster compared to 4G. It has a low latency rate and is able to connect more than one million devices per square kilometre,” he said.
Zulkarnain said the 5G internet technology service in Ketereh is a joint initiative between the government, the 5G network supplier Digital Nasional Bhd, Telekom Malaysia Bhd and YTL Communications.
The community in Ketereh would have the opportunity to enjoy high-speed internet services, he said.
Zulkarnain said 5G technology is a game changer and will enable the people to adopt a smarter and more efficient lifestyle as well as take part in various online activities such as e-commerce, video streaming and make virtual learning and training experiences more interesting.
Present at the launch ceremony was communications and multimedia minister Annuar Musa, who is MP for Ketereh, economic affairs minister Mustapa Mohamed and the chief secretary to the government, Zuki Ali.