In line with the Government’s decision to optimise the use of spectrum resources, spectrum in the 900MHz and 1800MHz bands are being allocated.
According to the chairman of Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), Dato’ Sri Halim Shafie, these two bands of spectrum are being assigned for a fee to Celcom, Digi, Maxis and U Mobile for a period of 15 years.
“A study has been conducted and the fee has been determined per block of 2x5MHz in each band, 900MHz and 1800MHz. The total cost of a 2x5MHz block in the 900MHz band will cost RM499,725,000 whilst the total cost of a 2x5MHz block in the 1800MHz band will cost RM217,770,000. The total fee payable by each player will depend on the amount of spectrum that has been allocated to them in these bands.”
He further explains that to ensure costs are not passed down to subscribers, it is a condition of the allocation that players shall offer packages that are cheaper than current prices to their subscribers.
Halim also adds that the same approach in spectrum optimisation would also be used for all other relevant spectrum bands such as the 700MHz, 2300MHz and 2600MHz bands.
