Nations must decide own digital future, not be dictated to, says Fahmi

DOHA, Nov 8— Malaysia has called for greater respect for national sovereignty in shaping telecommunications policies, warning against a form of “technology colonialism” in which technologically advanced nations dictate how other countries develop and deploy their digital infrastructure.

Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said every nation must retain the freedom to determine its own technological direction, particularly as geopolitical rivalries and competing technology ecosystems increasingly influence global telecommunications development.

“There should not be a case of a kind of technology colonialism where if you are the first, then you dictate to others what you should or shouldn’t do, what you can or cannot do.

“Nations are sovereign and should be able to decide their own domestic policy,” he said during a ministerial panel discussion at Mobile World Congress (MWC) Doha 2026 here today.

Fahmi said Malaysia’s experience in rolling out its 5G network demonstrated the importance of maintaining policy independence while navigating complex geopolitical and diplomatic considerations.

He noted that Malaysia initially adopted a single wholesale network model for its 5G deployment despite recommendations against such an approach by GSMA Intelligence, before subsequently transitioning to a dual-network model.

“Malaysia is unique because we did what GSMA Intelligence said not to do: roll out 5G using a single wholesale network. But we did it anyway, and I was the minister in charge of transitioning it into a dual-network model,” he said.

Fahmi described the transition as a challenging undertaking that required Malaysia to navigate diplomatic sensitivities while balancing domestic priorities against international technological standards.

He stressed that discussions on digital sovereignty should extend beyond technological self-reliance to encompass the broader principle of national sovereignty.

The minister also said an increasingly multipolar global environment demands greater dialogue and engagement among countries to find common ground rather than deepen divisions.

“In this increasingly multipolar age, we need to have more conversations, more engagements, and find meeting points rather than things that split us apart,” he added.

Fahmi said the principle of interoperability, which enables different telecommunications networks and technologies to function together, would face significant tests as countries pursued their respective digital strategies.

He pointed out that ASEAN’s consensus-based approach presents its own unique dynamics, given the absence of a central parliament and the bloc’s strong emphasis on respecting member states’ national sovereignty.

As such, he said, building trust and achieving interoperability requires countries to look beyond their national borders and bolster international cooperation.

Fahmi also highlighted the need to assist emerging nations in bridging digital divides, particularly as the telecommunications sector prepares for quantum migration and quantum-safe communications.

He noted that greater focus should be placed on driving the practical adoption of existing networks before the industry shifts its attention entirely to sixth-generation (6G) technologies.

“Before we talk about 6G, we have to look at who is actually using 5G or 5G-Advanced – that remains a key challenge we are actively addressing in Malaysia,” he said.

Despite the hurdles, Fahmi expressed confidence that international collaboration could spur innovative breakthroughs, particularly from nations not traditionally viewed as global technology leaders.

“There are many challenges, but there are also many opportunities for us to discover solutions together, and sometimes you might find those solutions in the unlikeliest of countries,” he said. — Bernama