The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has discovered over 1,600 non-compliance issues involving telecommunications service providers this year. These issues were identified through quality audits conducted between January and July.
According to Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching, the commission conducts such quality tests periodically to ensure that telcos comply with Mandatory Standards for Quality of Service (MSQoS). These are regulations outlining the quality of wireless broadband services, which include targets for download and upload speeds. As of this year, the minimum download speed is 10Mbps.
Teo stated that based on the 2024 audit findings, a total of 268 Commission Directives involving 219 were issued under Subsection 51(2) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. The telcos were instructed to improve the quality of their service.
The minister revealed that 2,781 quality tests were conducted across the country from 1 January to 31 July. During these tests, the commission found 1,684 MSQoS non-compliance issues involving 815 locations. She went on to note that 462 of these cases have since been resolved.
As for the remaining 1,222 cases, they are still under assessment for issuance of Commission Directives. Teo further explained that these cases require more time as they involve upgrading existing towers or constructing new towers.
Follow-up inspections will be conducted to ensure that the telcos have made the necessary improvements. Failure to comply with Commission Directives will result in a fine not exceeding RM1 million, imprisonment not exceeding 10 years, or both, under Section 53 of the Act. Moreover, the telcos could incur a fine of RM500,000 according to Subsection 105(5).
Teo noted that consumers can directly lodge complaints to service providers, and if the issue is not resolved, they can escalate it to MCMC via the commission’s official website. Additionally, service quality issues can be reported via the MCMC Nexus app for further action.
(Source: The Star)
