Got one questions, U Mobile claims their network is 5G SA only.
But :

1. SA is only available to certain plans (https://www.u.com.my/en/personal/support/faqs/others/5g-sa)

U Postpaid 98​
U Biz 98​
U Premium​
U Platinum



2. Their ULTRA5G is accessible by any 5G-enabled rate plan (both Prepaid and Postpaid)



3. SoyaCincau / Lowyat.net Test Photo shows the Speedtest is performed by Samsung devices, where Samsung Devices have different indicators for 5G NSA and SA. The picture clearly indicates the current connected network is 5G NSA instead of 5G SA. U Mobile may not use different logo for 5G SA as other CSC / telcos. (Example : Vodafone NL)


https://www.lowyat.net/2025/362969/u-mobile...enang-bridge-1/

4. I saw U Mobile swapping / adding new RRU which includes B08 and B28 (RRU5516), which seems like doesn't support 5G NR. Then why they will need B28 in LTE if their 5G network run in SA only?



So is their 5G network purely 100% run on SA only? or NSA both live like DNB?

This post has been edited by Sam Leong: Aug 18 2025, 08:53 PM

At this point, ALL tech journalists need to learn from you because I legit learn more from you. And you hit the nail spot on the inconsistency between the article and real world. The difference is massive and I hope Malaysia tech journalist can use your question to scrutinize the MNO more.

About the 3rd point, Samsung actually doesn't have SA/NSA specific 5G indicator.... different market/firmware may have different 5G logo

This post has been edited by luqman98x: Aug 18 2025, 08:41 PM

Interesting, i remember i saw some post mentioned SA 5G indicator is different. But yes I agree that different CSC / FW have different 5G logo, like the one for CN is just 5G without box

UMULTRA5G is running on NSA+SA
ENDC with B28b and also 1/3/7
SA is NOT available to non SA supported plan (N1_mode_not_allowed)
Speed quite impressive, partially due to can ENDC on 1/3/7 as well
UL only using N78+B28b

sumber gambar media sosial

.
Latest news update:

https://www.lowyat.net/2025/364874/dnb-liab...fter-govt-exit/ - Gobind: DNB Liabilities To Be Borne By Telcos After Govt Exit
CelcomDigi, Maxis and YTL Power to continue financing the 5G entity under existing shareholders agreement.
- 3 Sep 2025
All liabilities of Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) will be borne by its remaining shareholders once the government fully exits the company, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo confirmed. He said this is provided under the shareholders agreement governing the state-owned 5G network entity.

According to Gobind, DNB has received multiple rounds of funding since its inception. These include an initial RM500 million equity injection in 2021, a RM450 million shareholder loan from the Minister of Finance Inc (MOF Inc) in 2023, an RM800 million receivables purchase agreement in 2021, and a RM1.5 billion government-guaranteed loan in 2023. Both of which have already been fully utilised.

At present, CelcomDigi, Maxis, and YTL Power International each hold 19.44% in DNB, while MOF Inc remains the largest shareholder with 41.7%. The line-up changed after U Mobile exited last year to take charge of developing Malaysia’s second 5G network.

Following U Mobile’s departure, the three MNOs injected fresh advances of RM116.67 million each, on top of earlier contributions of RM233.23 million each. These funds were meant to support DNB’s ongoing operations and working capital needs, according to Bursa Malaysia filings.

Gobind added that DNB remains aligned with its business plan despite adjustments for the dual 5G model. He also reiterated that MNOs have pledged full support to keep the company financially sustainable under the shareholders agreement.

Previously, Gobind stated that no second 5G network would be rolled out until government funding provided to DNB is repaid by its shareholders. However, he did not specify when this repayment is expected to be completed.

= it seems DNB1 owes the govt RM1.95 billion in loans and the govt has RM1.3 billion in equity investments (= 41.7% stake) in DNB1.

The above 3 celcos have RM1.05 billion in equity investments (= 58.3% stake = 19.44% X 3) in DNB1 and will need to pay RM3.25 billion to the govt to fully takeover DNB1 = total is RM4.3 billion for 83% 5G coverage as of 3 Sep 2025.
....... The 3 celcos will also need to put in more investment money to upgrade DNB1's 5G network, eg install more 5G cell towers, more 5G in-building microcells, more 5G high-band/28MHz smallcells (eg on street-lamps), convert cell towers from 5G NSA to 5G SA, etc.

https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/...rk-in-malaysia/ - U Mobile picks CIMB to drive $940m financing for 5G network in Malaysia - 3 June 2025
= U Mobile's DNB2 will be spending RM4 billion to provide 80% 5G SA coverage in Malaysia.

4G will soon be sunset (in 2028.?), eg no more cheap RM30 per month prepaid 4G phone plans with at least 100GB of data or unlimited data(but FUP) and highspeed. Will prices of 5G phone plans then be increased for DNB1 and DNB2 to recoup their huge investments.?
.

Typical gov project, after finish suck dry/ claimed all the glory/ press conference/ sponsored marketing, will find waterfish to bailout their collapsed business .. Maxis, CDB and YES the waterfish. TM smells the scam decide not to participate and UM gets free exit pass … every time gov attempts to involve in business = will end with bailout.

TM no need to participate because can get money left and right. No matter how, DNB and U Mobile need to rent fibre from TM for their 5G.

DNB stop expanding their 5g coverage ?

Ahaa I hope not la. Pretty happy with my LTE 2CA/3CA modem. Not blazing fast but still pulling 80-100mbps which is enough considering the Cat18 modem not as expensive as many 5G modems sold currently 🙏🙏

https://youtu.be/wzs1MGpQ-1g?si=hgNOWuwBpoQPfJDR&t=246
5G NSA so bad
world problem

Nowadays 5G is congested like hell.

But even with the same "congested like hell" - the performance still varies a bit between different telcos - for example using Celcom (CelcomDigi) is slower than Yes or Maxis Hotlink. 4G is way much faster because the telcos actually actively expand it - but 5G rollout has been stagnant, because it is DNB's responsibility (more 5G cells definitely needed in my area).

This post has been edited by shaun_kok: Sep 23 2025, 10:48 PM

i noticed celcomdigi always slow with apps, but speedtest fastest.

not enough peering

combine to save cost only, digi never had that problem, only celcom before.

But I have tried Maxis and Celcomdigi, noticed that Maxis is much more slower loading than Celcomdigi..

maxis slow because network congestion

celcomdigi slow because useless core network

i pick the lesser of two evils haha

at least i know if i move away from location maxis will still work

celcomdigi need vpn, and the maxis will not play and bla bla.

never ending

On Reddit. Someone claimed Maxis has SA on some certain business plans.

Can anyone verify this?

https://www.business.maxis.com.my/en/faq/plans/5G-pro/

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https://www.business.maxis.com.my/en/faq/pl...-priority-pass/ - FAQ
.... Who can subscribe for Priority Pass and how much is the subscription fee?

Priority Pass is available at RM29/month (per line basis) if you are currently on any one of the following plans:

Maxis Business Postpaid 169 (including the sharelines)
Business Postpaid 199 (including the sharelines) ...
.
The above super high-end Maxis Business subscribers have to pay an extra RM29 monthly to enjoy DNB1's upgraded 5G SA (from 5G NSA) whereas ...
.... U Mobile high-end subscribers, ie on U Postpaid 98​ , U Biz 98​ , U Premium and U Platinum, are enjoying UM Ultra 5G SA (= DNB2) for no extra payment, which is accessible at various locations - 80% coverage by H2 2026.

At this rate and price, U Mobile's DNB2 will beat DNB1 (=Maxis+CelcomDigi+YES).
.

I guess that explains why sometimes my phone can latch on to n78 alone (but shows No service) on Maxis.