Business

Thursday June 21, 2012

MCMC finalising allocation

By John Loh
johnloh@thestar.com.my


SINGAPORE: The Malaysian Communications & Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is finalising its allocation of the 2.6GHz spectrum that will accommodate the shift to fourth generation wireless and long-term evolution networks by Malaysian telecommunication companies.

“We are finalising the allocation plans. One of the things we are trying to ensure is sufficient cooperation among service providers in terms of the rollout of the networks,” chairman Datuk Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi said on the sidelines of the CommunicAsia2012 Summit here.

“We are looking at infrastructure and not service provider consolidation.

“They (telco players) will get to keep their brands, but they need to share (the spectrum) across maybe two to three networks,” he said, referring to the commission's aim to increase efficiency by encouraging infrastructure tie-ups among telcos.

“Not all nine players will get the spectrum. We are still going through the (proposals).

“There's no point duplicating networks and infrastructure. What you want is to focus on where it matters for the customer, which is service delivery,” he added.

In 2010, the regulator named nine companies as recipients for the 2.6GHz spectrum.

The four 3G players on the list were Celcom Axiata Bhd, DiGi.Com Bhd, Maxis Bhd, and U Mobile, while the four WiMAX operators included Asiaspace Sdn Bhd, Packet One Networks Sdn Bhd, REDTone International Bhd and YTL Communications Bhd.

The ninth player selected was Puncak Semangat, a company controlled by billionaire Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al Bukhary.

In June last year, the MCMC called for a resubmission of the spectrum allocation proposals from telcos.

The frequency will only be available from Jan 1, 2013 but all players have the right to apply for the spectrum for trial purposes, with most reportedly having already done so.

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