YTL Communications launched a 5G-Advanced (5G-A) service in Klang Valley, emerging as the first mobile player in Malaysia and ninth globally to introduce the technology.

The service runs on a nationwide 5G wholesale network operated by state-backed Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), which earlier in the year deployed Ericsson’s 5G-A technology on the country’s first compatible nationwide infrastructure.

DNB’s network uses the 700MHz and 3.5GHz bands.

Klang Valley is part of the greater Kuala Lumpur metropolitan area. YTL Communications plans to complete a nationwide rollout by December.

David Hagerbro, president and CEO of Ericsson Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, stated on LinkedIn the launch marks the next evolution of Malaysia’s 5G story from standalone to advanced, which is the final major step before 6G.

YTL Communications offers mobile services under the Yes brand and ranks fourth of five mobile players in the country by connections on 1.9 million at end-September, with 5G accounting for nearly half, data from GSMA Intelligence showed.

U Mobile was awarded the second 5G contract by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission in November 2024, after the government moved away from a single wholesale network strategy.