KUALA LUMPUR — The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has rejected claims that Malaysia’s 5G performance is weakening, saying a reported moderation in speeds is a natural outcome of rapid rollout and a sharp rise in subscribers.
The regulator was responding to a recent report by speed-testing firm Ookla, which found that Malaysia’s median 5G download speed had declined significantly from its peak in 2023.
According to Ookla, median 5G download speeds fell from 451.79 Mbps in late 2023 to 242.92 Mbps by the third quarter of 2025. The firm attributed the drop to increasing strain on the country’s single wholesale 5G network as user numbers expanded rapidly.
In a statement, the MCMC said such headline figures must be interpreted within the broader context of accelerated network deployment and adoption.
“While such observations provide useful reference points, MCMC emphasises that headline speed measurements must be viewed in the context of rapid network expansion and accelerated user adoption,” Malay Mail Online reported.
The commission revealed that the number of 5G subscribers in Malaysia surged more than sixfold, from 4.6 million in November 2023 to 28.7 million by November 2025, placing significant demand on network capacity.
To counter perceptions of declining performance, the MCMC cited its own data, which showed that average 5G download speeds remain strong.
It said users on the Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) network continue to record average speeds of over 218 Mbps, while those on the second 5G network operated by U Mobile enjoy average speeds exceeding 315 Mbps — levels the regulator said are consistent with national targets.
Both the MCMC and Ookla highlighted the government’s recent approval of a second 5G network as a crucial step in easing capacity constraints.
The move is expected to strengthen network resilience, encourage competition, and improve the overall quality of 5G services nationwide. — December 16, 2025