U Mobile says its ULTRA5G network has reached 90% 5G Coverage of Populated Areas (CoPA) across Malaysia, hitting a target it had set for July 2027 more than nine months ahead of schedule.
The telco announced the milestone on 6 October at an event officiated by Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil and Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching. It follows U Mobile passing 80% CoPA in March 2026, less than nine months after its rollout began and more than three months before its own July 2026 deadline.
U Mobile started building the network in July 2025 with two public commitments: 80% CoPA within the first 12 months, then 90% by July 2027. Reaching both early means the company has now fulfilled the nationwide coverage obligations tied to its role in Malaysia's Dual 5G Network Model, the two-network structure the government adopted to open up 5G beyond a single wholesale operator.
"Achieving 90% nationwide 5G coverage more than nine months ahead of schedule reflects the determination of the entire U Mobile team and the strong collaboration of our government, regulatory, technology and infrastructure partners," said Wong Heang Tuck, Chief Executive Officer of U Mobile. He added that the focus now shifts to strengthening the ULTRA5G experience and helping businesses and public services turn connectivity into practical value.
Independent awards backed the rollout speed
The pace has come with outside recognition. In 2026, Ookla named U Mobile Malaysia's Best Mobile Network and Fastest 5G Network, a result we covered when it clocked 348.73 Mbps. Opensignal separately credited the operator for gains in reliability, network quality, speed and overall 5G experience, and the Malaysia Book of Records logged it for the fastest 5G network rollout in the country after the 80% CoPA mark.
Indoor coverage is the next target
With the outdoor population target met, U Mobile says it will keep widening reach and now runs more than 250 in-building coverage (IBC) sites nationwide, having already cleared its first-year commitment for indoor 5G. The company also pointed to work on 5G-Advanced and AI-enabled services for organisations.
U Mobile switched on its own ULTRA5G network in July 2025 after years on the shared single wholesale network, and has expanded quickly since, including solar-powered off-grid sites in rural Sarawak and Sabah. One caveat worth keeping in mind: CoPA measures populated areas rather than land mass, so weaker spots can remain in less populated places even as the headline figure climbs.
