KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 9): The Malaysian government is looking to liberalise licences for network facility provider (NFP) and network service provider (NSP) by introducing foreign participation.

This, said Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo today, is to improve competition and benefit customers, as well as to support the government's policy on digital connectivity under the National Fiberisation and Connectivity Plan (NFCP) currently under works.

"There is a necessity to look outside of what we already have if we want to fire up the country's [digital connectivity] faster.

"In the event that we need full use of [these companies'] services, we could legislate or regulate so this [approach] can be possible," he said.

The ministry, said Gobind, has been approached by several companies from Japan and Korea, with more firms to meet up with in France and the UK later.

"We will study their proposals and determine whether our current regulations may hinder this development," said Gobind.

Gobind was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of "Malaysia: A New Dawn" investors' conference here.

As at Aug 2018, Malaysia has 218 NFP individual licence holders and 184 NSP individual licence holders.

On a related matter, Gobind also underlined certain targets set out by the ministry under the NFCP which is currently under development.

These include the phase-out of copper networks by 2023, and for gigabit-speed internet to be available in select high-impact and strategic industrial areas by 2020 and extended to all state capitals by 2023.

Additionally, Putrajaya and Cyberjaya will be testbeds for 5G trials for a one-year period from November 2018.

"Telcos, vendors, researchers, startups and technology adopters will be invited to carry out 5G trials in Cyberjaya and Putrajaya in order to explore the practical uses and modes of implementation," Gobind said.