MCMC Reprimands Celcom, Digi, and U Mobile For Not Meeting Wireless Broadband Standards

Today, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) revealed that three telcos have been issued a directive for not meeting the Mandatory Standards for Quality of Service (MSQoS) for broadband services. This took place after the regulator performed technical audits at more than 3,000 locations across the country from 1 January to 15 June 2022.

MCMC noted that these test locations were chosen based on reports from consumers. The six-month test has resulted in the issuance of 40 notices involving 449 locations. Eventually, the regulator had then issued a Commission Direction (CD) in mid-May to Celcom, Digi, and U Mobile after determining that they have not met the MSQoS for wireless broadband services in certain areas at Langkawi.

Among them is Kg Buluh Penyumpit nearby Langkawi Highway as well as Tanjung Rhu Resort, Pantai Tengkorak, and The Datai Langkawi. Depending on the locations, the CD stated that the telcos have between 30 September to 31 December 2022 to improve their services at these locations.

At the moment, the latest MSQoS definition for wireless broadband is a download throughput of at least 2.5Mbps as well as having a network latency of under 150ms for 90% of the time. In case you are wondering, the CDs only mentioned wireless broadband service but not Fixed Wireless Access which has to be at least 25Mbps in terms of download throughput.

The current set of MSQoS was put in action last August and also covered wired broadband service whereby the throughput must be at least 70% of the subscribed plan for DSL as well as 90% for fibre. In the same announcement, MCMC also pointed out that telcos that failed to meet MSQoS can be penalized with a fine of up to RM200,000 as stipulated under Section 019 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

(Source: MCMC – [pdf 1][pdf 2][pdf3].)