KUALA LUMPUR: Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the ministry would continue to address issues regarding the current 4G network coverage on top of the expected 80 per cent 5G rollout nationwide by the end of the year.
He said despite the 5G rollout across the country, there were many communities that still relied on the 4G network.
"There are many communities out there that consider the 4G network essential despite the rollout of 5G, and we don't want them to be left behind.
"Therefore the government is committed to address the issues on the 4G network coverage on top of the anticipated 80 per cent 5G network coverage by the end of the year," he said during an interview session on TV Al-Hijrah today.
He said currently the coverage of the 4G network in the country stood at 96.92 per cent, but the number represented the combined coverage of all network providers.
"The current 4G network coverage in Malaysia is 96.92 per cent, that is almost 100 per cent but the reality is that there is no single network provider that has that amount of network coverage.
"As I look into these numbers and also on the 5G rollout, I have instructed the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to look into solving the issue (on the 4G network coverage)."
He added that when consumers pay for the network service to their telecommunications provider, they expect coverage everywhere but this was not the case.
"When consumers pay RM50 or RM100 for their network services, they expect to have connections everywhere, therefore I have instructed the telecommunication providers to solve the issue.
"If the Prime Minister wants to end extreme poverty for everyone, I want to end issues with regards to network coverage."