Malaysia’s 5G ambitions are moving decisively indoors, as Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) expands in-building coverage to support rising demand for seamless, high-performance connectivity. The latest milestone sees Pavilion Kuala Lumpur—one of the country’s busiest retail destinations—equipped with DNB’s In-Building Solutions (IBS), enabling consistent indoor 5G access for CelcomDigi, Maxis and Yes subscribers.
The deployment addresses a critical gap in next-generation networks: while Malaysia already boasts outdoor 5G coverage across more than 80% of populated areas, indoor environments—where the majority of data consumption occurs—have remained a bottleneck.
According to Ericsson, approximately 80% of mobile data traffic is generated indoors, underscoring the importance of in-building connectivity to fully realise 5G’s potential.
DNB’s IBS rollout is designed to close this gap. Pavilion Kuala Lumpur joins a growing list of 72 major sites already equipped with indoor 5G, including key transport hubs such as KLIA and KL Sentral, healthcare institutions like IJN and PPUM, and large venues including Setia Spice Arena.
The company is now working with mobile network operators, infrastructure partners and property owners to accelerate deployments across additional commercial buildings nationwide.
For consumers, the benefits are immediate: faster speeds, lower latency and more reliable connections, even during peak hours. This enables smoother mobile payments, richer retail experiences powered by augmented reality, and uninterrupted connectivity in high-density environments.
However, the strategic implications extend far beyond consumer convenience. Indoor 5G is increasingly seen as a foundational layer for enterprise digital transformation. High-quality, low-latency connectivity supports advanced Internet of Things (IoT) deployments, from smart sensors and robotics to automated logistics and intelligent building systems. Industries such as retail, healthcare and manufacturing stand to benefit from enhanced operational efficiency and new service models.
, emphasised the broader significance:
“The activation of indoor 5G at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur marks another important milestone in ensuring Malaysians enjoy a truly seamless 5G experience—both outdoors and indoors," Datuk Azman Ismail, chief executive officer of DNB. "As connectivity becomes increasingly central to how people live, work and do business, it is critical that high-quality 5G is available at the places that matter most.”
He added that ecosystem collaboration remains key to scaling the initiative, noting the role of mobile network operators, infrastructure partners and regulatory support from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) in optimising network performance.
As Malaysia’s wholesale 5G provider—currently carrying over 80% of the country’s 5G traffic—DNB’s push into indoor environments signals the next phase of network maturity, where coverage quality, not just coverage breadth, will define competitive advantage in the digital economy.
