Malaysia's 5G rollout goes full circle back to square one

We examine the reasons behind the country’s stagnation in the 5G space, and look at Bukalapak going against the trend of levying app service fees. [Read from your browser]( Daily Newsletter --------------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to Tech in Asia's free Daily Newsletter! Get full access to our subscribers-only Daily Newsletter and other insightful analysis on the big and messy topics of Asia’s tech and startup community by [registering here](. --------------------------------------------------------------- IN FOCUS In today's newsletter, we look at: - [How Malaysia’s 5G rollout turned messy]( - Bukalapak standing firm on zero service fees for users - 18 essential reminders for budding entrepreneurs by Tech in Asia founder Willis Wee - Other newsy highlights such as Indonesia and Malaysia launching a cross-border QR payment linkage --------------------------------------------------------------- Hello {NAME} After a few months of fending off the frustrations that come with poor mobile internet connectivity, I was suddenly surfing the web seamlessly. It took me a while, but I eventually noticed the “5G” icon near the network bars on the top right corner of my phone screen. Despite the recent exasperations, I was largely a satisfied user of 4G tech - so much so that I initially viewed its successor as excessive. But the past few weeks have convinced me that the fifth-generation standard for broadband cellular networks can supercharge economies and usher in the era of new tech advances. (And yes, it’s ridiculously fast.) In fact, 5G in India is expected to have a cumulative economic impact of [US$1 trillion by 2035](. The lure of this tech is evident, however its rollout has been anything but straightforward in most countries, especially in emerging markets. Today, we shine the spotlight on Malaysia’s chaotic efforts to build its 5G networks. From Chinese tech giant Huawei seeking a backdoor entry to the polarizing creation of government-owned Digital Nasional Berhad, the development of 5G infrastructure in the Southeast Asian country has faced a host of unforeseen challenges. The premium story also dives into how years of political instability and policy flip-flops have somewhat ironically led Malaysia back to what was initially planned when the country laid out its 5G ambitions in 2018. -- Shravanth P.S.: If you’re an entrepreneur looking for funding, [fill out this form]( to get your company featured on our list of fundraising startups.  ---------------------------------------------------------------  THE BIG STORY [How Malaysia’s 5G rollout turned messy]( When a public project morphed into its own “multiverse of madness.” --------------------------------------------------------------- TRENDING NEWS [Bukalapak stands firm on zero service fees for users]( Meanwhile, several other ecommerce companies in Indonesia have adjusted their transaction and platform fees for customers. [18 essential reminders from one founder to another]( Having a clear vision, building a strong network, being adaptable, and focusing on profit are some key lessons any founder would do well to learn. [Malaysia, Indonesia launch cross-border QR payment linkage]( Participating financial institutions from Indonesia include Bank Sinarmas, Bank Central Asia, as well as fintech firms Dana and LinkAja. [Meet the 50 top-funded startups and tech companies in Korea]( Here are the companies in Korea that are attracting tons of investors and have the resources to spend on software, talent, and expansion. ---------------------------------------------------------------  LISTICLE OF THE DAY [Capital SEA: Southeast Asia’s funding landscape]( Who are the new active investors on the block? Which funding rounds look like outliers? This visual story answers all this and more. ---------------------------------------------------------------  TECH IN ASIA'S PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE 2023 Learn how to create a winning formula for a successful product Want to elevate your product development game? Tap into the expertise of our featured speakers at Product Development Conference 2023, which include Patricia U, senior product design manager at Bukalapak; Reza Prasetyo, lead product manager at Flip; Praz Perkasa, chief product officer Moladin, and many more. Secure your seat [here]( ---------------------------------------------------------------  PRESS PEEKS The following press releases were published as they were received, without any editing from the Tech in Asia team. You too can publish your own press release on Tech in Asia by simply filling in [this form](. 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[Register now]( to get 40% off (get additional discounts exclusively for TIA subscribers)! - [Tech in Asia’s Founders Meetup: Malaysia on May 23]( Our networking event, Founders Meetup: Malaysia, is happening in Kuala Lumpur on May 23 at WIP on the Park at Marc Residence. Join us and share the hardest challenges you’ve faced as a founder. To help you find solutions, we’ll introduce you to fellow founders who have been there and done that. Register today! ---------------------------------------------------------------  WHO'S HIRING You can post a job [here]( or search for jobs [here](. - [AR & Billing Collection (Kirana Sakti Komputindo)]( at Dealls Jakarta, Indonesia - [Wordpress Engineer]( at 99 Group (99.co) Bandung, Java, Indonesia - [Junior Product Management]( at MyRobin Jakarta, Indonesia - [Senior Data Scientist - Fraud/Risk]( at Gulf Test Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - [Senior Key Account]( at Gokomodo Jakarta, Indonesia - [Full Stack Engineer]( at 2359 Media Singapore, Singapore [ADVERTISE]( | [SUBSCRIBE]( P.S. Don't miss out on the biggest tech news and analysis. Add newsletter@techinasia.com to your address book, contacts, or safe sender list. Or simply move us into your inbox. Tech in Asia thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. Too many emails? Switch to a different frequency or get new content through our [preference center]( or [unsubscribe](. 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