In Malaysia, 5G network services have been introduced since 2025 and have shown extremely fast mobile internet network speeds, rivaling “anywhere” broadband internet network offerings.
But the use of the term “anywhere” is seen to cause some confusion, because until mid-last year, local 5G networks at that time could usually only be enjoyed when you were outside buildings.
The advantages of 5G networks should be evaluated not only in terms of network speed, but also the stability of the network when you are in various types of locations outside or inside buildings, and in areas crowded with other users.
In August 2025, U Mobile as the second operator of Malaysia’s 5G network introduced the ULTRA5G network, an indoor network system that allows people to get and use the best mobile network speeds regardless of whether they are outside or inside buildings.
With the ULTRA5G network, users will not only get the fastest network speeds, but also be able to enjoy stable network usage no matter where they are, whether indoors or outdoors, in underground parking lots, in elevators or in crowded restaurants or cafes.
OpenSignal recently released a report on U Mobile’s ability to operate Malaysia’s second 5G network. In the report, OpenSignal said that since switching to their own 5G network infrastructure, U Mobile customers’ 5G network performance has been significantly improved.
U Mobile customers have experienced 5G download speeds that are around two-thirds higher than competitors, while upload speeds are faster and service quality is also more consistent. Over the past 12 months, U Mobile’s 5G network customers have seen an increase in 5G download speeds of 51% and upload speeds of 27%.
In addition, U Mobile has also recorded excellent network consistency. When using a variety of internet services, such as streaming video, using mapping and GPS apps, and even voice and video calls, U Mobile’s network delivers excellent network quality, with no latency issues or choppy streaming when used outdoors or indoors.
This is thanks to the ULTRA5G network strategy, whereby U Mobile customers are more likely to get Excellent-level 5G signals indoors (≥85 dBm) than users on other Malaysian networks. At the same time, only 8% of indoor readings fall into the “Weak”, “Very Weak” or “Dead Zone” categories — about a third of the rate seen on other networks (24%).
U Mobile uses 700MHz and 3.5GHz spectrum across their entire network infrastructure footprint, similar to what DNB uses. Their in-building network performance is due to their dedicated infrastructure strategy and not spectrum alone.
U Mobile is taking an aggressive approach in rolling out its next-generation 5G In-Building Coverage (IBC) solution to overcome physical barriers that typically degrade indoor signals. By integrating 5G infrastructure into high-traffic locations, U Mobile can maintain consistent performance in high-demand areas. This strategy helps U Mobile to deliver high network speeds and quality within buildings that have this infrastructure.
For example, in large shopping malls such as Pavilion Kuala Lumpur and Sunway Pyramid, U Mobile achieved a 5G Consistent Quality score of over 90% — far exceeding the average of below 80% seen among other Malaysian operators in these malls.
This consistent level of service quality is particularly important in crowded indoor environments, where many visitors are connected to message friends, use social media, compare prices online or browse the mall simultaneously.
In locations such as KL Sentral and Kuala Lumpur International Airport, U Mobile also demonstrated great network speed and performance and is also offering a 100GB SIM card that offers fast 5G network for 24 hours. This offering allows users to reduce their reliance on public WiFi networks that are feared to be laden with malware.
U Mobile's strategic focus on indoor coverage is paying off. By addressing one of the most persistent weaknesses of 5G networks, the ULTRA5G plan improves 5G network performance both outdoors and indoors. U Mobile is also targeting 80% population coverage in Malaysia by the second half of 2026.
