CYBERJAYA: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has the right to impose additional conditions on U Mobile Sdn Bhd before granting them the spectrum to operate the country’s second 5G network, said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil. He explained that these conditions are necessary to maintain balance and ensure healthy competition among telecommunications (telcos) companies.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fahmi emphasized that imposing additional conditions is a standard procedure to distinguish between criteria for selection and conditions for spectrum allocation, which are two separate matters understood by all telcos. He made these remarks after launching National Courier Day 2024, attended by his deputy Teo Nie Ching and secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa.

Fahmi further elaborated that the additional conditions are designed to ensure effective collaboration between U Mobile and Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB). A similar approach was taken with Celcom Digi Bhd during th
eir merger in 2022, where MCMC imposed conditions, including the return of some spectrum. If U Mobile plans to collaborate with any other telco to develop the country’s second 5G network, MCMC will apply similar conditions.

On November 1, MCMC announced U Mobile’s selection as Malaysia’s second 5G network operator to ensure the full benefits of 5G technology reach the public, industries, and the nation. The selection was based on a combination of factors, such as business and technical plans, customer complaint rates, satisfaction records, and the company’s track record in executing other infrastructure projects. U Mobile is also allowed to collaborate with other partners in the ecosystem, subject to MCMC’s approval.