U Mobile ULTRA5G Achieves 82.9% 5G Coverage — Beats July 2026 Target Early
TLDR:
- U Mobile’s ULTRA5G hits 82.9% 5G population coverage, beating its July 2026 target ahead of schedule
- 6,737 5G sites deployed across West and East Malaysia as of March 31, 2026
- First in Malaysia to commercially offer consumer 5G network slicing via ULTRA5G Priority Pass
- U Mobile planning to exit DNB 5G access agreement and run its own 5G network
U Mobile Breaks the 80% 5G Barrier
U Mobile has officially crossed a major milestone in Malaysia’s 5G journey. The orange telco announced that its ULTRA5G network has reached 82.9% 5G population coverage — surpassing its own 80% target that was originally set for July 2026. The achievement comes in less than nine months since the rollout began, and has already earned recognition from the Malaysia Book of Records as the fastest 5G rollout in the country.
This is a significant development for Malaysian consumers and the telecommunications industry at large. When U Mobile set its 80% coverage target last year, many in the industry viewed it as ambitious given the timelines involved in network infrastructure deployment. But the telco has proven the skeptics wrong, delivering coverage that now reaches the majority of towns and cities nationwide well ahead of schedule.
The rapid rollout positions U Mobile as a genuine contender in Malaysia’s 5G landscape. While other major telcos have been expanding their 5G presence, U Mobile’s accelerated timeline gives it a competitive edge — especially as the company signals its intention to break away from Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) and operate its own independent 5G network.
State-by-State Coverage Breakdown
U Mobile has shared detailed breakdowns of its ULTRA5G coverage across populated areas (COPA) by state, and the numbers are impressive in several key markets. WP Putrajaya leads the pack at 99.9% coverage, followed closely by Penang at 99.1% and WP Kuala Lumpur at 98.6%. Selangor, the country’s most populous state, sits at a solid 95.2% — well above the national average.
The coverage extends across both coasts and both halves of the nation. In West Malaysia, states like Melaka (92.6%), Perlis (91.9%), and Johor (86.4%) show strong 5G availability. Even the northern state of Kedah, which historically lagged in connectivity, has reached 77.2% coverage. Moving east, Terengganu registers 85.5% while Pahang comes in at 72.8%.
East Malaysia coverage is understandably lower given the logistical challenges of deploying infrastructure across jungles and remote areas. Sabah currently has 62.1% coverage while Sarawak sits at 58.7%. These figures will inevitably improve as U Mobile continues its expansion, but for now, urban centres in both states already enjoy strong 5G signals.
The deployment uses a dual-vendor strategy — Huawei handles West Malaysia while ZTE is responsible for East Malaysia. This approach allows U Mobile to accelerate rollout by leveraging each company’s regional expertise and existing infrastructure relationships.
In-Building 5G Coverage at Key Locations
Beyond raw population coverage, U Mobile has invested in in-building 5G solutions to ensure users get reliable connectivity indoors — an area where many 5G networks traditionally struggle. As of the announcement, U Mobile has deployed 136 dedicated in-building 5G sites across Malaysia.
The locations covered read like a who’s who of high-traffic Malaysian hubs. Airports including KLIA, KLIA2, KKIA (Kota Kinabalu), and Langkawi International Airport all have indoor 5G coverage. Transit hubs like Penang Sentral and Salak South Transport Terminal are also included. Shopping destinations such as Berjaya Times Square, Bangsar Village, Bangsar Shopping Centre, and the newer TRX Mall round out the list.
This focus on in-building coverage addresses a real pain point for Malaysian users. 5G signals, particularly at higher frequencies, can struggle to penetrate concrete and glass structures. By proactively deploying dedicated indoor infrastructure, U Mobile ensures that users don’t lose their high-speed connection the moment they walk into a mall or airport terminal.
Malaysia’s First Consumer 5G Network Slicing
Perhaps the most innovative aspect of U Mobile’s announcement is the commercial launch of 5G network slicing for consumers — a first in Malaysia. The telco is offering this through its ULTRA5G Priority Pass, which is bundled into new prepaid and postpaid plans.
Network slicing essentially creates a dedicated “VIP lane” within the 5G network. When a Priority Pass is activated, users get three hours of high-priority access with faster speeds and lower latency. This is particularly valuable in congested areas — imagine attending a live concert at Bukit Jalil National Stadium or watching a Malaysia Cup final at a crowded sports bar. Instead of struggling with slow data, Priority Pass users get a consistently fast connection.
The feature requires a 5G SA (Standalone) compatible device connected to the ULTRA5G network. When activated, the device will display “UM ULTRA5G PRIORITY” as the network name — a visual cue that the user has entered the priority lane. This differentiates it from regular ULTRA5G access and gives consumers a tangible reason to opt for plans that include the Priority Pass bundle.
Moving Away from DNB — What’s Next?
With its own 5G network now exceeding the 80% threshold that DNB requires for its second network rollout, U Mobile has announced its intention to exit its 5G access agreement with Digital Nasional Berhad. U Mobile CTO Woon Ooi Yuen confirmed that the company has already notified DNB of its intent to terminate the agreement, requiring just one month’s notice for the exit.
The exact timeline for the DNB exit remains undisclosed, with U Mobile promising to reveal more details at a later date. What is clear is that U Mobile is charting an independent path — building, operating, and commercializing its own 5G network rather than relying on a wholesale provider.
This move could have broader implications for Malaysia’s 5G landscape. If U Mobile successfully operates its own network at scale, it may encourage other telcos to reassess their DNB agreements and push for greater independence. It also raises questions about DNB’s future role as a wholesale 5G provider if its major customers begin departing.
Our Take
U Mobile’s ULTRA5G achievement is genuinely impressive — not just in scale but in speed. Hitting 82.9% coverage in under nine months, earning a Malaysia Book of Records nod, and being first to market with consumer network slicing are all meaningful differentiators in a crowded telco space.
For Malaysian consumers, this is good news on multiple fronts. More 5G coverage means faster speeds and better connectivity in more places. The Priority Pass feature, while niche, shows U Mobile is thinking creatively about monetisation — offering tangible value rather than just selling a faster connection. And the DNB exit signals that Malaysia’s 5G market is maturing; telcos are no longer content as wholesale customers and want control of their own network destiny.
That said, East Malaysians shouldn’t get too envious of their Penang or KL counterparts — Sabah at 62.1% and Sarawak at 58.7% still have ground to cover. U Mobile will need to sustain this rollout pace if it wants to keep its competitive advantage as other telcos accelerate their own 5G expansions.
