Why does EMIR question DNB cost transparency if the business plan is not public?

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EMIR Research Questions DNB's Cost Transparency Due to Lack of Public Access to Detailed Business Plan

EMIR Research questions the extent of Digital Nasional Berhad's (DNB) cost transparency, citing that DNB's detailed business plan, which purportedly includes costings approved by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), is not accessible to the public or entities seeking access to DNB's network. This lack of public availability leads EMIR Research to suggest that any claimed transparency regarding DNB's costings is severely limited, potentially to the point of being effectively non-existent.
Limited Visibility of DNB's Financial Details

The core of EMIR Research's concern lies in the inaccessibility of DNB's comprehensive business plan. While DNB and its consultants, such as Plum Consulting, assert that costings are fully transparent and have undergone MCMC scrutiny, this information remains unavailable to external parties. EMIR Research highlights that this situation prevents a genuine assessment of DNB's financial underpinnings, suggesting that "transparency" in this context might be interpreted as "invisible" due to its lack of disclosure.
Concerns Over Hidden Costs and Scope

Furthermore, EMIR Research raises critical questions about what constitutes DNB's "total cost." It is unclear whether these costs solely encompass the build-out for basic 5G enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) or if they include other essential components required for full 5G functionality. The analysis points out that crucial elements such as coverage extending beyond 80% of the population, accommodating industry traffic capacity increases over a decade, ensuring comprehensive in-building coverage where an estimated 80% of cellular data traffic originates, and incorporating value-added services like network slicing and private networks, have not been explicitly detailed in DNB's disclosed information.
DNB's Reliance on MCMC Approval

EMIR Research also questions the sufficiency of DNB's governance model, particularly its tendency to "hide behind MCMC." The think tank posits that good governance cannot be solely judged by the act of submitting documentation to the MCMC for approval. This suggests a need for broader public accountability and scrutiny beyond regulatory endorsement, especially given that even Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) were reportedly unable to review Ericsson's contracts with DNB during their due diligence processes. This lack of insight prevented a thorough assessment of Ericsson's commitments against DNB's potential risks of cost escalation, delays, and performance issues.

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Why does EMIR question DNB cost transparency if the business plan is not public?

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