Ookla: Malaysia’s 5G speeds nearly half as slow since 2023
If you’ve been using a 5G-capable smartphone on a 5G plan, you’re not imagining it: your mobile network really is slower than before. In fact, according to Ookla’s latest findings, Malaysia’s overall 5G network speeds have nearly halved since the end of 2023.
From one of the best to 4th place
The global research firm’s latest article on Malaysia has highlighted the result of the unique 5G deployment method by Digital Nasional Berhad. In the years since the 5G rollout started in Malaysia, we have now achieved a high population coverage but performance has gone downhill consistently.
From its peak in late 2023, where median 5G download speeds reached 451.79 Mbps, Malaysia’s 5G speeds are now down to 242.92 Mbps. That’s a decrease of 46.23%. Perhaps most worrying is the comparison between Malaysia’s 5G performance compared to our neighbours.
As highlighted by Ookla, Malaysia stands out as the only major country to have such a downhill trajectory in 5G speeds. While Malaysia was once able to boast the second fastest 5G speeds comapred to the likes of Singapore and Brunei, the former has now overtaken us along with Vietnam, with both nations now having significantly faster median 5G speeds compared to us.
The trend repeats itself when looking at median upload speeds. In late 2023, Malaysia had the fastest upload speeds in the region at 49.87 Mbps. Brunei, South Korea and Vietnam have since surpassed us in upload speeds, with Singapore also on an upward trajectory compared to Malaysia. On the bright side, Ookla does note that our download speeds still remain competitive compared to the likes of Japan, Philippines and Thailand.
Significant 5G adoption a double edged sword
Malaysia operated on a unique multi-operator core network architecture through Digital Nasional Berhad until earlier this year. It has arguably achieved its goal of accelerating national 5G coverage while optimising infrastructure investment.
However, this rapid expansion has also led to increased user adoption and usage, leading to higher demands on the network. With more 5G users, high-capacity services like streaming and IoT devices also increase in use, further declining 5G speeds as the network matures. 5G now accounts for almost 40% of consumer connections in Malaysia, with 4G almost making up the rest.
“By channeling all operators’ 5G radio traffic through a single provider, the network is subject to speed degradation when demand rapidly increases across the entire infrastructure,” – Affandy Johan, Ookla
In fact, despite 5G-capable devices continuing to rise, Ookla’s latest data shows that most users with 5G devices still spend most of their time connected to the 4G network.
Ookla estimates that this could be down to two reasons. The first being the lack of comprehensive 5G coverage indoors nationwide. That being said, DNB has already been actively deploying 5G In-Building Solutions at strategic places, such as airports, hospitals and transportation hubs. The second reason though Ookla claims is that 5G service remains spotty in rural and non-urban areas.
With the government already approving the rollout of a second 5G network though, this move should result in a more resilient 5G network in Malaysia.
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